Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It’s not like Ash has never been in the public eye before. In fact, he’s explicitly been so many times. League matches, besides being attended by tens- even hundreds- of thousands of in-seat spectators, are broadcasted live at the time and uploaded on Official League pages. Often snippets or even whole battles will be reposted or joked about or analysed- especially so in the region the League was hosted. Interregional News channels even take note of matches where trainers with Legendaries or Mythicals or new Pokémon have been featured, addressing controversies and Pokémon Protection Rights concerns. Leagues are big deals, and Ash has been in his fair few.

Even Official Leagues aside, Ash has been in plenty of challenges or events that are more often than not broadcasted locally, news outlets raging on about the race or the battle or the performance or whatever it was. Kind stranger helps town being overrun by malicious wild Pokémon. A boy and his Pikachu help save dozens of stolen Pokémon. Young trainer allegedly seen with a Regional Champion.

A Kantonian kid saves world from mass destruction with the aid of Legendary Pokémon.

So Ash has been public. Ash’s feats of near-impossibility have been seen by crowds ranging from just him and Pikachu, to entire regions.

But, maybe by some divine intervention, or just by his own nature, the trail of wonderments he leaves across the regions stay that way. Separate pinpointed events that have no correlation. Besides the select few that he travels with, and the even fewer selected that he chooses to go out of his way to inform, no one really connects the dots. A person he helped may see him in their region’s League and think ’Hey! It’s that kid!’ but that’s usually where it ends.

It’s rare someone even recognises him when he moves from one region to the next. And it’s rare that they recognise him for more than one stand alone event. And Ash likes that. It gives him at least an ounce of control over the Chosen One situation that he, funnily enough, didn’t get to choose. People see him as a nice stranger that’s strangely proficient at battling for his age, not as the Prophecy Child chosen by the Gods and destined to keep the world in balance. Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town and his partner Pikachu, not Arceus’ favourites.

Ash does not stay in one place for long, which he thinks helps. He’s a nameless traveller, rather than someone they get to know. He doesn’t stay around long enough for more than one story to be tied to his face.

But in Alola… he’d settled. At least for a year. Shop owners know his regulars. Market vendors give him discounts despite him having the appearance of a foreigner. He went to school, for Mew’s sake.

That’s not to say he hates it, not at all! It kinda irked him a bit at the start with everyone in his life saying how good it would be for you, Ash and oh, I’m so glad you’re slowing down a little and School!? Did someone hit you over the head too hard, Satoshi? even though he’s now learnt they were kind of right. He’s a Pokémon Trainer, a traveller. He wants to experience all a region has to offer, learn everything he can to better himself, and then move on to keep growing.

Alola isn’t the largest of regions by far, and outside of major cities, civilisations are only as big as farm ranges. That’s not to say Ash didn’t explore all of the islands- he knows better than most that wild Pokémon in their natural habitats can often have more to offer than cities full of people- but it means he could slow down a bit. The change in Alola’s life style meant just by experiencing Alola, he kinda ended up feeling like he qualified for the league as a byproduct of his exploration, rather than as an explicit goal with hard set requirements.

What Alola had to offer for him as a Pokémon Trainer was how to slow down and appreciate the calmer things about life. And Ash has certainly learnt a lot.

However, the person who lives down the road knows he helped those lost wild flebébé find their mother and they thanked him for it. The person who works at the grocery store recognised him for helping her mother know what to feed her new oricorio. Other students at the school knew his name when he didn’t know theirs.

Suddenly all of his dots became less like scattered breadcrumbs and more like an intricate web.

And now… he’s won the League.

He’s a champion.

Ash Ketchum is the Regional Champion.

He got absolutely hounded by the news crews after the deal with the guzzlords and his official match with the Masked Royal (Professor Kukui???). He remembers giving a small speech, high on adrenaline and euphoria, positively humble and thankful to his Pokémon and to everyone who’s helped and supported him.

He went home, celebrated with his friends and his Pokémon and his mum and Mimey and the Professor Oaks and Burnet- who’s now pregnant!!!- and Kukui and-

He ate his heart full and crashed on his bed, not even making it under the covers or out of his clothes, Pikachu splayed out on top of him.

Things are good.

Chapter Text

Ash woke up similarly to how he fell asleep. First, a slow build up as his dreams conclude, muscles twitching back to life and brain firing up again. League, Gladion, Lycanroc, winning, champion, Champion.

“Pika!”

Ash had jolted up with a start, consciousness suddently returning as all of the events of the League and after seemed to crash back into recollection all at once. Pikachu- who had been asleep on top of him and was flung off of him and subsequently onto the hardwood loft floor- calls out another outraged “Pikachu!” Ash grins giddily, full of such a swelling excited glee he can hardly stay still, despite having been dead to the world seconds ago “We won the league! We’re Alola’s first Champions!”

Whatever irritation that was on Pikachu’s face from being so suddenly and violently woken up is erased as he processes his trainer’s words, and the same happiness overcomes the Pokémon’s expression “Pikachu!”

“I know, right?!” Ash elates as the Pokémon begins bouncing around the bedroom, nearly glowing from excitement- or a Quick Attack?- as he rambles jubilations “Pika pika pi! Pika-chu!”

Ash is up out of bed now, unable to hold back from dancing and jumping around with his Pokemon, his Partner, yelling his own celebrations. Both completely enraptured in eachother’s joy, they don’t hear nor see Professor Burnet coming up the loft ladders, a tired but incredibly fond expression on her face at their fanatics “Ash Ketchum! It is nine in the morning! You woke us up!” But her voice doesn’t even hold any irritation in it, her boarder’s glee infecting her immediately.

Ash doesn’t even falter in his excitement, merely turning and beaming to the professor as if to join her in on their jubilations “My bad, Professor! We’re just so happy!”

“I bet!” Professor Kukui’s voice hollers from downstairs, mirth audible in his tone “Come down here so we can congratulate you again with a proper breakfast!”

The professors make the three of them a Full Galarian Breakfast each, Pikachu gets a whole bottle of ketchup to himself to enjoy for the duration of the meal (with the exception of when one of the three humans actually want some for themselves) and each of Ash’s Pokémon get treated to full bowls of expensive pokechow, Kukui’s Pokémon and Munchlax joining in on the celebratory meal. Ash keeps sneaking Lycanroc chunks of sausage under the table, and the two incineroar seem to be in competition for who can make the most mess.

“And Lucario was super disciplined, Professor!” Ash remarks through a mouthfull of food. Neither adult tell him off for it “I mean, no offence, I’ve met lucario with stronger aura, but his was like, I dunno, really neat. He had great control”

Kukui laughs heartily as if Ash had told a joke “Since when were you an expect on Aura, huh?” Ash grins sideways, a little awkward and avoidant. Neither professor notice “Thank you, though, Ash. My team’s really independent and train well when I can’t train with them for extended periods of time. You lot have kept me busy!”

Ash just grins wide like he’s in a competition to show as many teeth as he can- never one to do things in halves- and continues shovelling down food, patting his stomach once he’s done “Man! That was good! Thank you, Professors!” “Pika-pi!”

Professor Burnet scratches the nape of Pikachu’s neck, who trills and pushes his head further into her hand “What’s your plan for today then, Keiki?”

“Aw man I don’t even know!” Ash says, still grinning, still giddy, still infecting the house with joy “I might go celebrate with the guys from school again! I didn’t spend enough time with each of them yesterday, and Mallow had already invited us ‘round to hers for lunch anyways!”

The Professors just smile and nod “That sounds like a great plan, Ash.” Professor Kukui nods his head in the direction of Ash’s loft room “Go on then, get ready for the day, me and Burnet’ll be on cleanup.”

Ash pushes himself out of the chair, and Pikachu smoothly transfers from the table to his trainer’s shoulder, ketchup bottle still in hand “Will do! Thanks Professors” and he sprints off upstairs. Just can’t do things in halves. Burnet and Kukui look at eachother fondly as they hear Ash chastise and fight Pikachu for the ketchup bottle back mid ladder-climb.

“Alola, guys!”

“Alola, Ash!”

Kiawe, Lillie- with Snowy on her lap- Sophocles, and Mallow, funnily enough, are already at Mallow’s family resteraunt, and as Ash sits down they tell him between further congratulations that Lana’s running a little late from dealing with the twins.

“That girl can’t catch a break, I swear” Mallow huffs, cheeks puffed out as she walks back and forth from the kitchen to hand deliver some plattered food to their table. The restaurant is unsurprisingly packed, considering it’s lunch time during the summer, tourists and locals and the lot absolutely swarming the place. Everyone is in good spirits during the beginning of the summer holidays and with the region’s first League recently concluded.

She tells Ash with a smile that her father agreed to let her have the day’s rush hour off, allowing her one lunch time with her friends and ‘the new champion’ to celebrate.

Ash’s hand finds itself rubbing at his neck as he dons a sheepish sideways grin “I really don’t think I’m gonna get used to that, doesn’t even really feel real yet” Pikachu gives him a chastising slap from his tail at that.

“Oh cmon! Don’t be so modest” Sophocles teases a little bemoaningly. “‘s bound to happen at some point.”

Lillie nods passionately, fists balled determinedly either side of Snowy “Yeah! You’re such an amazing battler, and you’ve competed in so many tournaments already, having done so well in some of them” “Vul-vul!” Snowy shares the sentiment.

“It was only time such a passionate trainer such as yourself won a league” Kiawe adds. Ash looks at him and sees a small glimmer of resigned disappointment. Kiawe too was a keen battler, and had placed well in the League. Ash says so enthusiastically, Pikachu agreeing readily. Kiawe’s smile becomes easier. “You truely are fit to be a Champion.”

Ash blushes a little, and tries to roll off the compliment with a grin and a diversion “I almost don’t know what to do with myself now.”

“Revel in the fame!” Mallow throws her hands up as if it’s the only obvious conclusion “Get an official painting commission of yourself and start a fan club.”

“Don’t start your own fan club that’s just sad” Sophocles interjects. Mallow gives him a truly wicked glare out from the corner of her eye “You’re just jealous you don’t have any fans, Sophy” “Nuh uh!”

Lillie smoothly ignores the two of them as they devolve into a senseless back-and-forth “You have responsibilities now as a representative of Alola, right? I mean, your battle against Professor Kukui was a statement as your first official match.”

Ash opens his mouth to respond but Mallow’s hand has now been flung into Sophocles’ face to shut him up and remove herself from the argument “Yeah and what the hell! Professor Kukui is the Masked Royal?” And her narrowed eyes and sharp tone tells Ash exactly what she’s implying.

“I didn’t know!” Ash throws his hands up in a surrender. Pikachu sniggers “You lived with him!” Mallow’s free hand is now pointing accusatorially at Ash from across the table. Sophocles licks the hand that’s still being smushed into his face and the girl shrieks loud enough to gather the temporary attention of some surrounding diners.

“You think Ash could keep a secret to save his life?” Kiawe raises an eyebrow cooly and Mallow pouts, leaning back now as she pointedly wipes her hand on Sophocles’ shoulder. Ash hears Pikachu hum disbelievingly in his ear which goes unnoticed to the rest of the table.

Sophocles smacks a hand on the table, leaning in “Are we ignoring Ash fought Tapu Koko again? And won?”

“I feel like the Tapu was more pleased by this outcome than if it had won again.” Lillie supplies “It deems him worthy as a representative of the region now, I think.”

“Excuse me?”

At the interruption the teenagers’ chatter immediately stops, and they turn to two girls they don’t recognise, clearly foreign, that are around their age standing behind Ash. The girl who spoke, with dyed beach blond hair and an obnoxiously touristy alolan shirt tied at the front into a crop top is holding a phone in her hands. She looks around the table then at Ash. “You are Ash Ketchum, yes? Champion?” Her accent is thick and Sinnohan.

Ash takes it in stride and smiles widely, Pikachu confirming it with pride. He translates what his Pokémon said into Sinnohan “Yup! That’s us! What are you guys’ names?”

They both look a little shocked- either at the change in language or at the question- before they both grin, giggling, their body language visibly becoming more casual. The girl who spoke before says in their native tongue “I’m Layla and this is Keeley, we were wondering if we could get a picture with you?”

It’s Ash’s turn to be shocked for a moment, but again he takes it in stride and stands up “Of course! Want one of them to take it?” He points back to the table “Want one with all of us or just me?” The girls nod and confirm the latter. He turns to Mallow, and switches back to Alolan “They asked if they could have a photo with me, can you take the picture, please?”

Mallow’s eyebrows raise and she mutters something to Sophocles who mock-scowls at her as she stands up “Of course!” She holds her hand out to Layla who mutters a courteous ‘thanks’ in Alolan as she passes over the phone, and both girls stand on either side of Ash smiling, throw up peace signs, and Pikachu copies them with intense enthusiasm and a “Pii-ka-pii!!”

“Here you go guys” Mallow passes the phone back with an easy bright smile after the photo’s taken, and Layla scrambles to get it back, thanking Ash and the table before an awkward “Alola” and scuttling off

Ash sits down “That was odd of them. They seem nice though!”

“Dude” Sophocles said “That girl definitely liked you” he finds an elbow in his side from Mallow and wheezes. Ash frowns and Pikachu giggles on Sophocles’ behalf. He knows he’s typically not the best when it comes to that particular aspect of social cues- he’s heard a lifetime’s worth of chastisement from Bonnie on the matter- but he’s pretty sure that wasn’t what was off about it. He’s gotten better!

Lillie again gracefully ignores the two on her left and reinstates “People always take photos with celebrities when they see them in public, that photo’s probably going to be up on social media within the hour.”

Ash doesn’t reply, balking at the idea of being called a celebrity, then at the idea of people taking pictures with celebrities because what??? They’re just people???, before Sophocles speedily recovers from the assult and pipes in with newfound excitement “We gotta make you a Twitter!”

Ash frowns, attention switching to Sophocles with genuine confusion “I have a Twitter.”

And it’s true, he does, thank you very much. Despite popular belief Ash is not completely oblivious to technology and the internet. Although he himself didn’t, he’s definitely friends with people who had phones, so far as to the fact that Iris, Clemont and Serena had their own phones whilst in Ash’s company. They just happened to not have the time to really use them since they started travelling with Ash, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t know they existed. He just definitely didn’t have the time nor the want.

But come Alola, came the slower lifestyle, and a friend group he suddenly wasn’t spending 24/7 with. RotomDex had helpfully doubled as a RotomPhone, or at least enough so for Ash to be able to connect to the internet. He needed a way to keep in contact with the class and they insisted he was added to the group chat so he suddenly had Snapchat, and then from that came their insistence he get Instagram and Twitter as well. Tik Tok followed but he never even made an account on that, the app is likely still sitting uslessly on RotomDex’s home page wherever he is in Aether Paradise.

Maybe they had to help him set up the accounts and show him the basics but he had them, and he used them on the rare, rare occasion when he had nothing better to do. Some days were just slow when you lived in the same place every day, and as much as he’d like to, you can’t spend all day every day training- at that point you do more harm than good. So he has social media, he has accounts, and he has maybe a few photos on each of Pikachu in embarrassing situations. He might as well get something out of it.

And okay, RotomDex is gone, now, or at least not exactly available to Ash for day-to-day use, and since he knows- see! He knows!- that you can use the same account on different devices it still doesn’t take away the fact Ash has social media accounts.

So. Ash looks confusedly at Sophocles. “But I already have a Twitter.”

“An official one” Sophocles drawls like it’s obvious, but still with an excitement laced under the attitude “A ‘Champion Ash Ketchum’ Twitter account, not ‘School kid Ash Ketchum with a funny looking Pikachu’ Twitter account.”

A weak zap goes Sophocles’ way. Weak enough not to even count as a Pokémon move, and Sophocles favours electric types anyways, he’s used to it. It doesn’t stop him from pretending to be deeply wounded by it in an unsuccessful attempt to make Pikachu feel guilty, though.

“It would be good” Kiawe interjects, thinking out loud “You’re a public figure now, and a representative of Alola. Professor Kukui made the League to help the region be brought forth to the interregional eye, to be seen as a region with strong Trainers and Pokémon, and to spread awareness of our culture and what we represent. You having an official online presence would be good for not only your reputation and presence as a Champion, but for the region of Alola and its introduction to other regions.”

“Plus” Mallow adds whilst Ash digests that “You can get famous and those girls can tag you in their post.”

Ash decides to just ignore Mallow before asking back at Kiawe “What do I even do with an official account?” Why didn’t being a Champion come with a handbook? Does it usually? Is it just because he’s the first? Aw man he didn’t think this through.

“I dunno” Mallow waves her hand around. Wow, great help “Just post stuff about any official appearances you make in other regions, official battles to showcase your- and by extension, Alola’s- strength. More embarrassing photos of Pikachu so you can build a fan club” Lillie joins in this time in giving Mallow an unimpressed look. The girl throws her head back and moans “Ugh what’s the point in being besties with a Celebrity if he doesn’t even have a fun club?”

“What’s this about a fan club?”

Mallow’s head snaps back and Ash fears she broke it for a second “Lana!!! Where the hell have you been?”

“The demons drenched me in pancake batter” is her only reply which- fair enough, that does answer the question- and she takes the free spot between Lillie and Ash, side-eyeing the latter “Surprised you haven’t eaten the resteraunt out of stock yet” she says, addressing the food that is still miraculously on the table.

Ash grins at her “Alola, Lana! Nah, the Professors made us all a big breakfast as a treat” he pauses, humming “But now that you say that… I could never turn down Mallow’s food.”

“Oh come on, Lana!” Sophocles exclaims as Pikachu and Ash reach into the table to begin grabbing at the various trays of to-share platters “For once I thought he’d forget and there’d be enough food to go round”

Lana grins as a response then turns back to Ash “So what was this? Fan club?”

“Mallow wants Ash to get an Official Twitter account so he makes a fan club and Mallow can get popular from being close friends with a celebrity” Kiawe supplies to-the-point, a nearly-suppressed grin on his face as he, too, starts indulging in the food on the table. Sophocles looks at him like he personally wronged his mother.

“Official Twitter account” Lana replays back, breezily ignoring the rest “That sounds like a good idea.”

“I said that!” Sophocles all but yells and Lillie shushes him “Mallow just made it weird!”

“Kiawe made it weird by insinuating I was just an attention whore.”

“You are!!!”

“Do we really trust Ash with an Official Twitter account?” Lana asks, and Ash pouts at her “Verified and all? You’ve seen the quality of what he posts.”

Mallow’s “Give the people what they want!” Is overruled by Sophocles’ “Nothing! He barely posts!”

“Yeah but what he does” Lana interjects “isn’t exactly fitting for a responsible League Champion. I don’t even know if Ash knows how to be responsible.”

Ash’s face is one of true outrage “Do too! You guys forget I’m an adult.”

“You’re just 17” Lana raises an eyebrow.

Pikachu cackles “Exactly! For over seven years!”

“I don’t give a shit about Kantonian laws, ten is not an adult- Shuttup” Sophecles raises his finger with an air of finality, and Ash glares at him “That’s my culture you’re disrespecting” he snarks back.

Sophecles comes up with the unbeatable retort of sticking his tongue out at Ash.

Mallow huffs “Well then we gotta get you like a representative or something to stop you saying or doing stupid shit in real life events at the least.”

Ash frowns in mock offence “I have Pikachu, I don’t need a guardian.” He says almost in horror. Legally speaking, as a registered Trainer from Kanto, he is his own guardian whilst on his journey. He takes offence for them insisting he needs a babysitter.

“Yeah you keep hogging all the adults” “Pikachu doesn’t count he’s a Pokémon! He can’t even talk!”

Now it’s Pikachu’s turn to be mock offended and he zaps a stronger line of electricity Sophocles way. This time the boy makes an act of not even reacting.

“I can understand him just fine” Ash hurumphs, pouting and dramatically folding his arms in defiance, and Lana gives him a look that clearly reads ‘great job on proving to us that you’re a grown adult’.

“You know what? Screw you guys I’m making it now” Ash turns to RotomDex to ask it to help him out before he remembers oh yeah. Aether paradise. No Pokédex. No phone. Drat.

Lillie seems to read his mind “We could get you a phone today. With a proper travel plan if you’re going to be visiting other regions for official champion business, and for hopping between the islands frequently.”

“If you’re even staying in Alola” Kiawe adds, and that dampens the table’s mood. All eyes turn to him.

Ash stopped telling people about his past travels ever since Iris and Cilan refused to believe him in Unova when he shared some of his more outrageous stories from previous journeys without Brock there to back him up. Plus, he was beginning to resent his role of Chosen, of all the hardships he had to face, all of the danger he and his friends were put in, and the way people treated him differently when they found out and believed some of the stories he shared. And okay, he’s gotten better than he was in Kalos- despite the big setback that was the Crisis- but he’s still not the most loose lipped. He knows he has, however, shared which regions he’s been to.

He knows they know he leaves after he’s competed in each League and there’s not much left to do in the region.

Well that was a loaded statement, Kiawe.

He goes with the honest answer, which is “To be fair I haven’t thought that far ahead.” He debates leaving it at that, before he gets the compulsion to add “I don’t think I could spend another year just going to school and staying in one spot. But all the Champions I know tend to stay mostly within their region, and a home base would be nice if I’m travelling around more intensively for champion business like you said…”

There seems to be a small sigh of relief around the table, before Lillie anxiously adds “Actually… I’m going to be leaving, for a while.”

All attention is redirected “What?!”

She smiles sheepishly “Mother plans to search for Father outside of Alola, and Gladion is thinking of accompanying her too…” she hugs Snowy tighter.

There’s a mellow mood that settles over the table, different from the previous boystrous energy everyone had, bleeding over from the high from yesterday. Ash just smiles at Lillie “That’s great! I’m wishing you guys luck, make sure you take the time to check out the regions you come across.”

Mallow sparks back into life, quickly snapping out of her mood to make sure she cheers on her friend “Yeah! Maybe you’ll run into Ash out there as well!”

“Send postcards” Kiawe smiles.

Lillie sighs in relief and loosens her grip on Snowy, who mewls happily “Thank you!! I’ll come back once we find him, and maybe visit once or twice but…” she nods, then her smile turns softer “Thank you.”

A more calm, peaceful mood settles over the table, before Lana turns back to Ash “So, phone.”

Sophocles is quick to jump onto Lana’s blunt change of subject “Ash’s rich now, he won the league. He can afford a nice RotomPhone.”

“Am I?” Ash asks, this is news to him. He knew he got a prize sum from winning the League, he’d gotten varying degrees of prizes in the past that helped subsidise his journeying but…

“Not that rich,” Kiawe confirms “but Ash’s technically employed by the League, now. A Regional Champion’s salary isn’t to be scoffed at, especially for more prominent regions” Kiawe turns to Ash at this “All the more reason to get on with bringing more attention to Alola.”

“I don’t do it for the money!” Ash says, trying to quickly break down that idea. ’Although it never hurts’ Pikachu adds in his ear “Besides, that’s the last thing I’d want to represent Alola for”

“Yeah, Kiawe” Lana retorts with dry sarcasm, and Kiawe deadpan stares at her slightly smug face from across the table. He takes to eating the snacks again “Okay, so Ash is rich and we’re getting a phone so he can become more famous and get richer”

“And for the values of Alola, or whatever” Kiawe retorts back just as dryly, mildly bitter from the accusations. Sophocles rolls his eyes. “His first post can just be some brief introductory and a general vague thank you. I’m sure he’ll be interviewed plenty in the coming weeks.”

“How do you even get verified” Mallow asks, again redirecting the conversation and Ash’s head is again reeling. Maybe he does need an ambassador or something. He looks at Pikachu pleasingly. The electric mouse sighs. ’I won’t let you do stupid shit’, he promises. Ash now scowls at him for his (admittedly somewhat justified) implied insult.

Ash takes a break from whatever brain storming is going around the table to have a little withdrawn think. Sure, his goals early-on (like, super early-on) had been to become a strong trainer and win the Kanto League, that had quickly redirected to becoming as proficient of a Pokemon Master as he could be, a journey that doesn’t end after just winning a league. Learning everything he can about pokemon battle and everything outside of it. Like, even though he was never personally interested in engaging in pokemon performances and the like, watching and engaging with them helped give him new insights and knowledge to different pokemon, trainers, and their goals. Likewise for other aspects of the pokemon world.

Just like every region has been, being a Champion is a new step in his life for becoming a Pokémon Master, even though it technically wasn’t a necessary or even expected step in the plans. But just like Alola had been quite vastly different to his previous adventures, this will be different in a whole new way. He’s a public figure, just like the other Champions, and he knows a little bit of what they deal with. Although they’re no politician or monarch, they’re oftentimes figureheads for regions: like Kiawe had said. He’s now a figurehead for Alola, a region he loves so much, that he somehow didn’t know about until so soon before travelling here. A region that he fell in love with in one weekend trip, and has proceeded to fall more and more in love with. He adores this region and what it represents. He wants to do it justice. He wants the world to know how amazing it is and share the values he learnt whilst here.

Yes, he’ll commit to being a good champion. He’ll learn more about the pokemon world whilst being a representative of a region, travelling to appear for publicity stunts and battle and interact with other higher-ups in the pokemon world. It’s not like he’s not friends with many of them already. Big League regions like Kanto and Sinnoh and Kalos are regions he’s well travelled in, well acquainted with. Ash may not be a native Alolan, but he will do his damn best to represent his region, and to learn more as he does so.

Ash nods, suddenly determined and clear on his path. Pikachu looks at him with inquisitive pride, perhaps reading his mind and slowly coming to the same conclusion as his trainer.

He interrupts the conversations his friends had been having and pipes up, voice strong and face laced with a confident grin “Being Alola’s Champion is the next step in my Pokémon journey, and I want to do my best to give back to this region for everything it’s given me by representing it to my best ability!”

The table goes a little silent, stunned by the interruption’s tone from seemingly out of no where. Kiawe huffs, crossing his arms over his bare chest with a smile, and he turns to Lana “We better go get him that phone, then.”

“Ta-Da! Ktz! I’m RotomPhone! Pleased to meet you, Alola Champion Ash Ketchum!”

“Woah” Ash grins as his new phone/Pokemon hovers in front of him, a chipper rotom face smiling back at him. Its voice is more feminine than RotomDex- even though he knows the Pokemon is still sexless, he payed attention in class, thank you!- which he guesses will help him differentiate between it and RotomDex in his head “Nice to meet you too, Rotom! I’m glad you’re willing to help me out!”

“Ktz, of course! I take pride in offering high quality entertainment and utility to my owner! You can be sure to count on me” Ash grins, ignoring that odd feeling he gets in his stomach at the word ‘owner’, knowing most rotom are very cut-throat and blunt with their vocabulary. He supposes he should inform it a bit more on its ‘purpose’ then. (ugh, such an icky word)

“Rotom, I wanna be a good Champion for Alola! That means travelling to other regions, making public statements and appearances, and generally spreading good word of this region! What do you say? Sounds like a good plan?” And Ash sends his million-watt smile at the Pokémon that could rival Pikachu’s Thunderbolt. The rotom’s displayed face only grins wider, and although its voice is more soothing due to its pitch (as soothing as a robotic Rotom voice can get) it doesn’t lack the enthusiasm RotomDex displayed “Of Course, Mr Ketchum! I’m pleased to be helping out a Trainer with such admirable goals, Ktz!”

“That’s Champion Ash Ketchum, to you” Sophocles makes himself known over Ash’s shoulder (or rather, around the side of his arm, but he’s on his tippitoes and he’s talking down his nose, so it’s the sentiment that counts.)

Pikachu grins at Sophocles’ mischief but Ash just stammers to correct Sophocles before Rotom ignores any sarcasm and takes the joke at face-value “No, no! Ash is fine! Or Satoshi! Please” he grins a little deflatedly, and Pikachu humphs on his shoulder at a failed sabotage that wasn’t even his plan.

“Well everything’s set up now, I recon” the technician- Tilly- says, Professor Oak smiling from the side of her. She’d added his number and Trainer ID to the phone before Rotom was even bonded to it, as per the teenagers’ requests. “If that’s all, Ash, I’ll be going now. Don’t be afraid to contact me if you need any help! Although I’m sure Rotom will be more than happy to assist you first” she smiles a more genuine version of a customer-service smile, and Ash smiles back at her. RotomPhone spins in the air with a “Rtz!” of confirmation, still seemingly overjoyed with the ongoing events.

Ash turns back to his friends, all but Mallow (who stayed back at the resteraunt) having carted him across Melemele to get him this rare phone- Rotom devices aren’t exactly cheap nor common place- only to find out the League (i.e. Kukui- nepotism!) was more than happy to supply Ash with such a phone from their funds, considering his drive for getting one is almost purely Champion-based “Think of it as a Buisness Expense!” Professor Kukui had said over Lana’s borrowed phone cheerfully, as if that meant anything to Ash.

The time is now comfortably in the evening, and with the Alolan sun beginning to dip under the horizon, the air now has a pleasant chill to it. That doesn’t mean his friends are done with him yet, apparently, as they stroll alongside the southern Melemele beach.

“We gotta set stuff up!” Lana announces as she plucks RotomPhone gently but firmly from the air (who honestly seems pleased to be of service if anything), before Sophocles snatches the phone from Lana just that bit firmer. Lana’s side-eye to the boy is one Ash does not want to ever receive.

“Rotom, can you download Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok please- and Snap and Whattsapp whilst you’re at it” RotomPhone gives its little confirmation buzz at it begins downloading each at impressive speed, and Sophocles looks over to Lillie “He doesn’t need Facebook, he’s not 45”

The girl frowns “I have Facebook.”

“And you don’t look a day over 30, darling” Lana throws back, and Kiawe clips her over the ear for the attitude. “Downloads complete! Would you like to create accounts for each, kzt?”

“Nah we got accounts for them already to sign into first, but then we want to make a new one for Twitter and Instagram” Sophocles says, and Ash would be complaining about the boy completely taking the lead on the whole thing if it weren’t for the fact he’s humble enough to know it would take significantly longer if it was him doing it, and he’d get frustrated with everyone watching. Doesn’t stop him and Pikachu from crossing their arms (one of them in mock annoyance, the other more real in his irritations) so they look like some sort of funny duet mime show.

Sophocles goes about creating and logging into Ash’s new accounts, creating a Tik Tok account after Ash’s admittance he never actually made one (several rolled eyes, several weak lightningbolts) and then, finally they get onto verification.

“Twitter first, please” Lana says, Rotomphone now hovering infront of them as Sophocles had relinquished his grip on it after he realised the Pokémon itself could navigate the device it inhabits faster than his cumbersome human fingers could.

RotomPhone’s face- currently displayed on the screen- is replaced with a bright red X “Sorry, rtz! No can do: Twitter Accounts must be older than 30 days to apply for Verification with ID Confirmations!”

“Aw man” Sophocles makes a comedically downturned frown “We’ll just upload an Ash-Original photo to prove it’s him.”

“Why not one of the photos the League took of the victory? Those were nice professionally taken photos” Lillie asks politely, Snowy chirping with her in her arms. Kiawe shakes his head, scratching his jaw just below his ear “Not really much of a point: I’m sure there’s already several accounts pretending to be Ash, considering he didn’t have one yet, we need something to prove he’s not another fake.” There’s a partially ignored comment of “I assure you my photography skills and quality of image are that of a professional!, Rtz!” added on by RotomPhone.

“Other accounts can upload the same photo we post” Sophocles points out.

“But he’d be the first” Kiawe replies, then shrugs, dismissing the discussion “Better than nothing, for now. Worst comes to worst we have to wait 30 days, or use Ash’s new influence to get other Champions and important figures to follow and interact with him.”

“Is this the same with the other app?” Lillie asks RotomPhone a little dejectedly. A green tick appears on its screen and she huffs.

“We’ll just post with what we’ve got right now, we can worry about this tomorrow, the sun’s setting” Lillie complains, then her eyes light up with an idea and she smiles “Wait! Ash, go to the beach and take a photo with your team! That’d be a cute first photo!”

“Ah! Yes” Kiawe nods “No better sunset than an Alola Sunset, go on.”

Ash, who’d been quiet this whole time letting his friends talk amungst themselves whilst he half listens, turns to them inquisitively and releases his team without much second thought upon the request “You guys not gonna be in it?”

“Nah” Sophocles says, as he makes a shooing motion at Ash towards the beach they’d been leisurely walking up and down the walkway of “Gotta make your first post about you and your team, at least. Go on! Quick! Before the sun sets!”

Ash grins at them and calls to his Pokémon to race him to the shoreline, RotomPhone wizzing after them and short to start finding a good angle. It calls out “Alright guys, Ktz! Look at my camera and smile!”

Incinerar and Melmetal cram in behind either side of Ash, Lycanroc on the floor to his side barking energetically with Rowlet half asleep on its uppermost rock-horn. Pikachu as ever remains on Ash’s shoulder, stealing his hat to don himself. Ash peace-signs the camera in a similar fashion to the girls earlier, smile so wide his eyes are practically closed, Pikachu mimicking him. RotomPhone calls out in a chipper tone “Ktz! Everyone say, ‘Champion’!”

The word can’t be made out of the cacophony of sounds from the team, but RotomPhone snaps a couple photos happily, zipping back to the group of teens as Ash races his team back to the wooden walkway, suddenly in a much better mood with all his Pokémon out “How was it?”

“Perfect!” Lillie grins, currently holding RotomPhone as it displays the images taken to her. Lana nods, looking over her shoulder “The sun’s perfectly above you and Pikachu’s heads, Melmetal and Inceneroar left just enough of a gap for the glow to shine on you. Very nice.”

“Alright let’s get this post up! Finally!” Sophocles grins, snatching poor RotomPhone back, but it only announces how it’s pleased to have produced satisfactory photos.

Later, when everyone’s fed and in bed- or in charge in RotomPhone’s case- Ash falls asleep with a similar fatigue to yesterday, thinking over the day with awkward optimism. This is just a new step in his life! It was about time he was connected online anyways, he knows there’s a lot to learn on there and so many people to interact with.

It’s such a big unknown, but he’s gonna face it with open arms and a smile! He won’t ever forget what Alola’s taught him!

Ash And Pikachu
@ChampSatoshi_Ket

Thank you to everyone who watched and supported me and all the other contestants of Alola’s first League Conference @OfficialAlolaLeague! I’m so grateful to have won, and I’m looking forward to representing the Alola region and its culture! Mahalo!

[Image attached]

21:03 20/06/XX Twitter for RotomPhone

Ash And Pikachu
@ChampSatoshi_Ket

Replying to @ChampSatoshi_Ket

P.S. I gotta wait 30 days before I can verify this account! Bewear with me!!!

21:11 20/06/XX Twitter for RotomPhone

Chapter Text

Time zones exist and Alola has the misfortune, or, depending on your perspective, the fortune, of being one of the furthest behind regions in terms of time zones. By the time Ash goes to sleep it’s tomorrow for most other regions.

In addition, Ash sleeps a lot. 10 hours is his standard and 14 is certainly not unheard of. He prefers to actually do stuff during his day- adventuring, training, and just about anything else, and so if he didn’t like sleeping so much he’d probably frequently be lamenting over lost time spent in bed. The fact of the matter is, once he’s awake he’s unable to get back to sleep. However, that doesn’t stop him from, when his body is given the opportunity, passing out for half a day at a time. And he’s a fairly light sleeper when he’s travelling!

So when he wakes up at 10:47am in Alolan time, most of the rest of the world has been up and about for hours, for some parts of the world it’s already tomorrow and they’re back to bed!

So.

Ash gets up, yawns, and greets Pikachu and RotomPhone, who had happily spent the night charging at his bedside (he’s already beginning to find RotomPhone is less… obnoxious than RotomDex. Not that he ever really disliked RotomDex for it, but the different personality is still appreciated when it’s the early morning and he has a fully charged electric Pokémon-device hybrid in his ear.)

He goes downstairs, greets the rest of his Pokémon who uncurl themselves from slumber, then the Professors who’ve probably been up for a few more hours than him as he begins rummaging around the kitchen for his and his team’s breakfast, a far more groggy Pikachu on his shoulder.

Burnet looks up from whatever she’s typing on her laptop, sprawled over the sofa, and smiles at Ash, almost cautiously. “Good morning, Ash. Have you checked your socials yet?”

He hums as he grabs the cereal from the top of the cupboards and reaches down to drag out the giant bags of Poké food kept in lower storage “Oh yeah, I probably should.” The thought hadn’t even crossed his mind, especially since he’d never been in the habit of using them that often in the past.

Kukui, sat at the breakfast bar, with his own non-Rotom phone in hand, huffs a bemused sound “Yeah, you should” with his own awkward grin. It makes Ash feel like he’s missing out on a reference somewhere in the conversation.

Pikachu’s ear twitches at this, and he makes grabby hands at RotomPhone from Ash’s shoulder, who whirs and floats over to the other electric-type. Clumsy paws navigate the interface as Ash shovels aforementioned Pokémon food into their respective bowls, rummaging around for the sanitised scrap metal they keep for Melmetal.

“PIKA!” His Pokémon shrieks in elation which- considering he’s perched on his usual spot on Ash’s shoulder- is a piecing sound straight into his ear. Ash hardly flinches, though, as he notches his head to Pikachu in prompting curiosity, unable to fully turn to face him considering his positioning.

His partner hops onto the countertop and turns RotomPhone around with both hands to shove the screen into Ash’s face ’Your followers!!! Satoshi! We Don’t even know that many people!’

Ash squints, eyes and brain still booting up for the morning and not being helped by the digital screen being waved too close for his his liking in his face, but then he sees it. His Twitter account profile. 1 post. 1 Following. 2340 Followers. Ash is used to the big numbers that come along with crowds, but this feels distinctly different to being a number in a collection of people spectating a tournament. That is 2340 individual people following him.

Ash’s eyebrows go up “Wow! It’s been like…” he pauses. Pikachu reads his mind, then makes the calculation faster than Ash ‘Thirteen and a half’- “thirteen and a half hours!” Ash exclaims “Where did they all come from?” It’s not like he advertised this account, and it’s not like he’s really posted anything worth following for yet. These are all people interested in following him and his journey, which seems ridiculous.

“Well I followed you back from the Official Alolan League account” Kukui announces “And reposted your tweet. Then several other Leagues and Champions and the such saw this and retweeted or replied or followed, and of course other people saw this and followed suit, seeing this as enough evidence that your account was official” Kukui chuckles, waving his hand in an ‘etc’ motion “I guess you guys were worrying over nothing in respect to the verification.”

“Wow, I didn’t think I’d get so many” Ash admits absently, scrolling through his followers list and clicking ‘Follow back’ to all the official looking accounts with the verification tick. Oh wow, that’s all the Champions he knows and each of their respective Leagues. And he thinks quite a few of those other accounts are people he’s travelled with. So many Professors, too…

“Seems they were on it” Burnet comments, then grins a bit more easily “You’re about to get a lot more popular, Keiki.”

“Wow” he says, again, because wow. He’s been in the public eye before, he’s used to crowds. But this feels more raw. He can’t see or control who’s watching him, and there’s actual numbers to articulate exactly how many of them there are. It reminds him of the bigger events in his past, used to being the attention of hundreds of thousands of people. But that was in emergencies or battling. Is he really cut out for this? Being a role model and a celebrity people follow?

‘Hell yeah you’re cut out for this’ Pikachu butts in, a light tail slap to his wrist to knock him out of it ‘Don’t be stupid! If anything you’re overqualified! You’re connected, you’re a great Pokémon master, you’re filled with compassion for this world, the people and Pokémon in it, and this region! You just gotta show that off!’

Ash smiles at his partner’s over-eager kind words, and ruffles the fur at the top of his head, earning a happy trill “Yeah, you’re right buddy. Just gotta get used to it! New adventures always have a learning curve!”

Pikachu makes a sound of confirmation as he’s distracted by the pets his trainer is indulging him in, before Ash gets a nudge at his leg, looking down.

Lycanroc is looking up at him with far too much attitude for a canine, then looks at the Poké food. Ash laughs more carefreely. “Haha, right! Couldn’t forget you guys! Let’s get breakfast started.”

“I thought there’d be more” Sophocles frowns, arms crossed. Mallow rolls her eyes “He had one photo, one follower and no verification- I’m impressed he even got that far- let alone two-and-a-half-kay!

“Three, now” Lana says, gesturing to RotomPhone who helpfully displays the exact number of 3429 on Ash’s profile. Ash is amazed that his growth of followers has sped up more than anything. Mallow gestures at it flippantly “See! Tapu be patient.”

“And to think you were the one mocking Mallow for wanting me to be famous” Ash chips in, and the death glare Sophocles sends him is no where near Lana or Mallow’s game, so it slides off Ash easily and Pikachu glares back with puffed out cheeks and paws on hips.

“You already are famous” Lana adds pointedly “And the number’s just gonna skyrocket when you get verified and post and interact more.”

“How’s Instagram doing? We posted there too, right?” Kiawe asks, and RotomPhone spins (with extra unneeded flair) around to him and changes the display to said app “197 followers, Rtz! Professor Kukui did not interact with Satoshi on this app, so the following count is significantly lower but still very impressive given the above.”

Kiawe shrugs with a ‘fair enough’ look, then turns, grinning to Ash “So when do I get an official match huh, Champ?”

Ash grins back with a far wider smile “We can battle whenever you want Kiawe!” He explaims “You’re such a great opponent!”

The genuine compliment from the trainer disarms Kiawe enough for him to forget his original question went unanswered until Sophocles’ smart mouth pipes up “He meant Official, Ash. Publicity stunt vs Pikachu and Turdonator destroying a local dairy farm.”

Kiawe makes a face that’s the closest to a pout he will ever make “It’s okay if it’s my dairy farm.”

“No no no you’re getting it all wrong” Mallow waves her arms around “Ash has gotta battle a fellow Champion as his first match, you hear? He’s gotta have a strong inter-regional start: make all the big news stations. He’s gotta topple Cynthia.”

Lana actually laughs at that “He’s not beating Champion Cynthia” and Ash and Pikachu look at her thoroughly offended at the blatant lack of faith, even if he agrees it would be at best a very close match and a hard fought win.

“To be fair” Lillie adds in “Ash’s first battle doesn’t have to be an all-out six verses six. Although an official match doesn’t class as ‘friendly’, it can be a more amiable one against one with Pikachu for example.” She nods, as if thinking through and confirming the plan in her head as she speaks “Even if he doesn’t win, Pikachu is a very strong battler that Ash is most proficient- and recognisable- with. So as long as he makes a good battle with a strong respectable Champion that he appears to on good terms with, that will be a great announcement that Ash is a serious Champion that should be respected and recognised: but to not be seen as arrogant.”

As the rest of the table agrees, Ash thrums with excitment at the idea. Some of the most exciting battles he’s seen or partaken in have been with Regional Champions. To be able to battle them after he and Pikachu have grown so much…

“Well we need him to battle someone strong so it’s a great statement show, but it also has to be a battle he has a chance in” Sophocles drawls, and Ash quickly zones back into to conversation to be offended again “What! I can hold my own against Cynthia.”

“Sure you can” Lana pats his back with mock condolence, only serving to irritate Ash more, who crosses his arms dramatically and huffs, accidentally mirroring Pikachu’s attitude.

“Fine, who would you want it to be, then” Mallow raises an eyebrow as she leans across the table, and all eyes flick back to him inquisitively. Ash wasn’t prepared for the question and so doesn’t have an answer prepared, and freezes as he thinks. Sophocles rolls his eyes “Let’s be real, Ash’d be happy to battle any of them. If and when he loses he’d still be, like, on a high for a week.”

“Could you blame him?” Kiawe defends Ash before he can nitpick again at the lack of faith in Sophocles’ sneaking in that ‘when’ “Champions are one of, if not the, most respected and competent trainers in their region. Just watching them battle would fire anyone up, let alone having the honour to battle them yourself.” he retorts passionately, only serving to get Ash excited over the prospect of battling any of his particularly skilled old friends. Then he remembers.

“Oh yeah!” He places his hands on the table and attention snaps back to him before Kiawe’s monologue can continue “Someone I travelled with through Unova became the Champion earlier this year!”

“What? Champion Iris?” Sophocles yells, loudest amongst the varying reactions of Ash’s friends, and Mallow truly looks offended “You’re friends with a Champion and you didn’t tell us?”

Ash shrinks a little in his seat and grins “Well she wasn’t Champion when we travelled together” and refrains from adding that he has, in fact, travelled temporarily with Cynthia and is close enough with Lance to meet up periodically to catchup… and he calls Diantha sometimes, too... and has stopped a calamity with Steven Stone… Pikachu’s sideways look at Ash carries a lot unsaid.

“Old friends reuniting as Champions!” Lillie cheers, hands clasped together “How amazing!”

“What a battle it would be” Kiawe adds in intensely “To have travelled with each other would mean you know each other well, as well as each other’s typical battling strategies…”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, how emotional and sweet.” Sophocles waves a hand at Kiawe who seems to be getting lost in his own world at the prospect of such a battle “Go back to how you didn’t think to tell us.”

Ash shrugs a little awkwardly, getting marginally uncomfortable at the confrontation. “I dunno, you didn’t know her and it didn’t come up! She just sent me a letter, is all.”

“I wonder how much you keep secret from us” Lana alludes bluntly, eyes narrowed, and Pikachu shifts on his shoulder, apprehensive on whether to divert the conversation. Luckily that’s where it ends, because Arceus seems to once again grace him with mercy as RotomPhone pops up from where it had been lying dormant on the table, ringing.

That was all the grace Arceus seemed to be willing to spare, however, as his Ketchum luck kicks in and RotomPhone displays big and bright on its screen ‘Wataru (Lance) is calling…’

He might have gotten lucky and had it so that his friends probably wouldn’t have recognised Lance’s Johtan name, but they definitely know his more internationally recognised name which Ash had added to his contact name sometime in early Unova. Ash still snatches the RotomPhone up quickly, as if that’ll prevent them from seeing what they already saw. Honestly, c’mon. Lance is supposed to have good timing.

“Oh it’s, uh, a friend” is the only explanation he gives them before answering the call and pressing it to his ear as they stare at him in mildly shocked silence. It’s Lance, they know it’s Lance, just admit it’s Lance, you’re a Champion now too, it’s fine. Then why are they acting like that. Ash ignores their looks as he recalls a little bitterly why he stopped being so loose lipped on his previous adventures, mustering up all the casual-ness he can as he greets into the phone in Kantonian despite the habit of him speaking to Lance in Galarian (coward) “Hi, Wataru! How are you?”

“Oh! Satoshi!” Lance replies, like he’s genuinely beyond surprised Ash picked up the phone “Lovely to hear from you! Just thought I’d call to check in, considering the world has to be two days short of a global disaster for you to call first.”

Ash breezily ignores the half-exaggerated jab and looks quickly to his friends, trying to convey through a raised eyebrow that he’s not impressed with how caught off guard they are by this, and that it’s not that weird, Mallow please close your mouth “Lovely to hear from you too, Wataru” he drawls.

The Champion only scoffs at this, before changing the subject to what Ash presumes is the real reason Lance called him “Well I just thought I should call ahead to tell you I’m flying out to Alola tomorrow. It had been on my to-do list for a while now- and it would be nice to catch up on my favourite Kanto trainer!”

Ash retorts a quick “I’m telling Kasumi” to avoid having to come up with a more mature response, which Lance laughs at “Oh dear please don’t, she scares me a little. So are you free at any time tomorrow?”

Ash looks around the table again to his friends- who are thankfully back to normal having hushed conversations again- and doesn’t think he has anything scheduled for tomorrow “Yeah that’s all good with me! Just drop by Professor Kukui’s house whenever you want, I’ll be there all day.”

Sophocles’ and Mallow’s heads raise at Kukui’s name, recognising it through what to them is a jumble of foreign words, prompting Lana to pinch both of them in the sides at their relentless nosiness. “Alright then! I’ll see you tomorrow! Try not to get into any trouble before then.”

Ash knows it’s a light-hearted joke, but the truth of it still rings a little painfully true. Not even hours into being a Champion was there another nearly-catastrophic event. He again completely ignores the comment and replies “Yup! Seeya!” And promptly hangs up, RotomPhone floating back to the middle of the table with a pleased “Rtz!”, blissfully unaware of the damage it had dealt.

“So, Ash” Mallow smiles sarcastically, fingers interlocked and resting on the table “What was that about not being friends with Champions?”

Pikachu rolls his eyes as Ash crosses his arms, trying to play it off with childish indignation “I never said I wasn’t, just that Iris wasn’t Champion when we travelled together.”

“Oh you think you’re so sneaky don’t you” Sophocles huffs before the disapproving act wears off and he asks with not-well-hidden intrigue, trying to still act flippant “Well? What did he say?”

“I forget Alolan’s like your sixth language or something ridiculous” Lana mutters before Ash replies to Sophocles “Oh, he’s flying out to Alola tomorrow.”

“Ah!” Mallow squeals in excitement, demeanour completely shifted “The Champion Lance? Can we meet him?”

“Yeah of course” Ash laughs back, trying to downplay the celebrity-obsession with a more casual air, knowing it’s probably only making him look odder for being so unaffected by being close friends with (at least) two Champions. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”

“How do you know him?” Lillie asks calmly, far more casual about it all, and Ash appreciates it. He never liked the weird way people talked about famous people, like it’s a great honour to meet them. They’re still normal people, it just happens that lots of other people know about them. He understands it more if they admire them for what they do- in the same way Ash admires strong trainers- unrelated to how well known they are. He’d be equally as excited to meet someone completely unknown as he would be to meet a Champion if they had the same achievements and skills. Ash is technically famous and they’re not gushing about seeing him for brunch.

Still he casts his mind back “Oh, I think I first met him in Johto! We all helped save a Pokémon from Team Rocket” Ash frowns for a moment and clarifies “Team Rocket the actual organisation, not Jessie, James, and Meowth. Although they were there. It was actually the Red Gyarados that’s on his team.”

“You helped save one of Lance’s Pokémon?” Kiawe asks, impressed, but Ash shakes his head and shoots that down “It wasn’t his Pokémon at the time, he caught it after, Team Rocket was trying to mind control it after they forced evolution.” He waves a hand, getting side tracked “I don’t know him that well, we just run into each other every now and then.” Even he knows that’s at least a half-lie. Lance is probably up there in terms of old friends Ash is best in-contact with.

“Well enough for him to call you” Sophocles comments, and Lana pinches him again “You’re friends with a Champion now too, y’know. Stop being so difficult.”

Ash sends a silent Thank you, Lana her way and goes quiet, hoping a more interesting conversation that doesn’t revolve around his past adventures comes up. It’s not that he hates talking about anything from his past- not when he’s learnt so much and made so many friends- but he doesn’t like how it seems to just be an opportunity for others to see him in a different light. He doesn’t like being othered, or seen as something unordinary. Special, that word he hates so much. He’s someone who’d much rather focus on the present, is all!

But maybe he’s more avoidant about some things than he needs to be, in fear it’ll lead to people asking uncomfortable questions. Where there’s the risk of them connecting dots or figuring out aspects about himself he’d rather other people didn’t know. His friends don’t need to know everything about him, and he doesn’t want to accidentally bring up bad memories. He’d much rather be as happy and jovial as possible. He wants them to see him as someone carefree, never as a burden that they need to cheer up or tread on eggshells around. The less they know about the less favourable events in his past, the less likely it is that will happen. Ash prefers to help than be the one who needs help.

Besides, that’s exactly why he has people like Lance to talk to. People who are already in the know, that he doesn’t have to re-explain everything to. Lance won’t think any differently of Ash when he shares something new that’s happened, it’s just one more event to add to the tally. Lance has long since come to understand the aforementioned reasoning behind Ash often being tight-lipped- especially in more recent years- and never needed to be told to not treat him differently. He doesn’t treat Ash like a kid, but he also doesn’t treat him like a legend. There’s a mutual respect and lack of hero-worship, even if Ash still finds himself looking up to Lance for his abilities in Pokémon Battling.

“Oh!” Sophocles says, turning to Kiawe “Y’know he’s got an exhibition match coming up against Leon?” to which the latter raises his brows in response “Really? Wasn’t the finals only a couple months ago?”

“Not even” Sophocles empathises, and whatever they’re talking about is lost on Ash. He just starts snacking on the food presented to him on the table, again, satisfying himself with a few minutes of mindless indulgence as he phases seamlessly out of the conversation, again, appreciating the attention not being on him for a short while.

Dinner has come and gone, people and Pokémon have been put to sleep, and Ash is occupying his bed in his pyjamas, Pikachu half asleep on his lap, curled up over the duvet as he enjoys his pre-sleep nap.

Ash takes out RotomPhone to put it in charge for the night, but pauses before doing so. He sits up as he finds himself wondering how much more his follower count has grown since the morning, and opens the app, navigating more cumbersomely than Rotom or even Sophocles would, but not asking for any help so as not to disturb Pikachu. Fortunately, Rotom doesn’t offer help when he doesn’t request it, so it remains quiet, too.

There’s a bell icon with a frankly horrifyingly large number next to it, and he clicks it, opening a scroll down display of notifications talking about followers and likes and replies and dozens, hundreds, thousands of people interacting with him. Ash sighs, trying to decipher it all. Followers, he opened the app to check his followers, and so he clicks on his profile picture in the top corner- set to be himself and Pikachu from the original photo he posted yesterday- to be brought to his account’s profile.

Melemele, Alola. Joined June XX

25 Following 12.2K Followers

Damn. Over 12 thousand already? Ash isn’t exactly sure how quickly these are supposed to grow, but his other account- which his friends bad been sure to make private already- has less than 100, and he’s had that for nearly a year now. He hadn’t exactly been trying to grow that account’s following, but he hadn’t really with this one either. And yet… 12 thousand in a day? He’s spectated Pokémon Contests with fewer than half of that number of seats. Even for Pokémon battles, any tournament that isn’t an official League will often have less than that many seats available in their stadium, and they’re not always all filled. The biggest stadium he’s been to holds, what, 50,000 people? That’s insane.

And those are people buying tickets to watch something for entertainment. Pokémon performances, contests, battles, they’ve all been watching a competition with several contenders. Ash had posted one photo and a couple sentences, without a real promise for much more, and a dozen thousand people have followed him in little more than 24 hours. Is this what it’s like, being a Champion, being famous? It’s almost claustrophobic, the prospect of so many eyes on him. Not for the purpose of watching how he fairs in a Pokémon battle, but for him. If he slips up it only takes one person to notice, doesn’t it? The idea of being connected online only becomes that much more daunting.

12 thousand people want to follow his journey as a Champion, whatever their reasoning, and although Ash is still excited- he wants people to cheer him on, to discover their own love for Alola and Pokémon battles, and for he and his Pokémon to get recognition for all the hard work they’ve done- it feels way more out of his control this way. A crowd of spectators is one thing, but Ash can way more readily interact with these people who are across the globe. Anonymous viewers become accounts he can click on to get an insight into their lives, to find out their names and interests. The prospect of learning and making friends is greater, but it is equally so for meeting people with worse intensions. He fears slightly for the potential consequences of being so public.

Ash ignores that all for now and goes to one of the two tweets he posted- the first one with the image- and looks at the little icons that line the bottom of the tweet. 236 Replies. A far more digestible number. Still, that’s 236 people talking to him through the internet, 236 people that saw his tweet and took the time out of their day to say something in return.

He clicks to view the replies and begins scrolling through them.

Misty ✔️
@Kasumi_CeruleanGym

Replying to @ChampSatoshi_Ket

Congrats Satoshi! It was about time you won one

20/06/XX 23:21 Twitter for RotomPhone

ChiakiTenu
@Chiaki0234

Replying to @ChampSatoshi_Ket

AH! I just realised Ash is Satoshi Ketchum! I met him and Pikachu a few years back in Sinnoh! Lovely boy, he’ll make a great Champion! I hadn’t heard of the Alola Region until recently, maybe I’ll give it a visit ☺️

21/06/XX 04:12 Twitter for LumPhone

Cena
@VDnanay

Replying to @ChampSatoshi_Ket

This is the real Ash? Cool! Didn’t know he had a Twitter. Where’s Naganadel?

21/06/XX 06:56 Twitter for CheriPhone

Poliyster
@Cloyumuku

Replying to @Vdnanay

Ash returned Naganadel to Ultra Space after the Exhibition Match, where it came from and belongs. Naganadel is no longer on Ash’s team and we likely won’t see it again.

21/06/XX 06:20 Twitter for KoPhone

Smat
@Tellimwhatchu

Replying to @ChampSatoshi_Ket

It’s good to have some new young names come back to Championship! Ash and Iris as the faces of the Western-most Leagues- what exciting times!

21/06/XX 08:22 Twitter for CheriPhone

~~GiGiRE~~
@underdaC

Replying to @Tellimwhatchu

You recon people will start distinguishing Unova and Alola as a pair from Kalos and Galar? Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh had always been grouped together as the Eastern powerhouses, but now that the League is spreading more west we might not have to lump so many culturally different regions together.

21/06/XX 08:40 Twitter for CheriPhone

GORGIEST
@grogeon0n

Besides Ash and Iris, Leon and Diantha are the second most recently established Champions, versus the three longest reigning Champions in the East. You make a point about different cultures, but I think the four western regions should stay more closely related in the meantime. The Eastern Regions are very tightly knit together, even disregarding Lance’s situation, often out-casting the younger western regions. Leon and Diantha would make great mentors for the newer Champions and their regions.

21/06/XX 08:55 Twitter for LumPhone

Hi Skitty
@highkites1231

Replying to @grogeon0n

Neither of you are actually saying anything of substance. The League Regions aren’t enemies with each other- you’re talking like they’re making alliances at war not like it’s just Pokémon battle tournament winners.

21/06/XX 09:02 Twitter for LumPhone

JEMMA
@DIAMONDSZ52

Replying to @highkites123

Say you don’t understand the significance of Champions without saying you don’t understand the significance of Champions. They’re very influential people that are often seen as representatives of their region.

21/06/XX 09:12 Twitter for CheriPhone

~~GiGiRE~~
@underdaC

Replying to @DIAMONDSZ52

No I agree with @highkites1231. Champions have lots of influence but it is, at the end of the day, about Pokémon battles. It’s not like they’re entangled with Interpol and sending spies to eachother’s regions. They’re all friendly with eachother? They’re essentially co-workers. I was only talking about how we refer to them as collectives. What’s it with people on Twitter taking one thing someone says and throwing it way out of context

21/06/XX 09:30 Twitter for CheriPhone

Ash rubs his eyes, frowning as he regards the phone screen in front of him. This all sounds an awful lot like politics, of which he’d never been interested in in the slightest. He does what he thinks is right, tries to stop criminals, and tries to stay in Officer Jenny’s good books. The nuance of it all is frequently lost on him. He knows there are laws, and that even when doing something with the right intensions you may end up doing something technically against the law- of which Ash has been a victim of doing many times, albeit usually on a smaller scale that gets cleared up easily- but anything more complicated than that goes through one ear and out the other. People online talking about Leagues and Champions like they’re politicians? Nope, goes over Ash’s head.

He'd never really stopped to consider exactly what being a Champion entails. He thought they kinda just became famous and went around battling other strong trainers. He knows they do, he’s been around other Champions plenty. But is there more to it all? Or are people online just over exaggerating- making stuff more complicated than it has to be. Ash often oversimplifies stuff, he knows this, and has butted heads plenty with people who prefer to look deeper into the nuances of stuff, even when it comes to Pokémon battles. And Ash knows Pokémon battles!

He shakes his head, disregards what he read, and opens another tab on the app. He puts all these thoughts away for him to think about later, knowing there’s a good chance he’ll just forget about it all anyways. If there’s something important he needs to do, Kukui or someone else will tell him. Otherwise, he won’t think about it.

TaylorTalks ✔️
@TaylorTalksTV

Hey Guys! I finally uploaded the full video of a rundown of the full Native Alolan Pokédex! It took a while because I’ve made sure to go really in depth into Alolan Form Pokémon, the distinctions between islands, battle prowess etc. I had to study a bit on Alolan culture too, and on the recent emergence of Ultra Beasts! Alola’s legendary Pokémon are very well documented tho, so there was plenty to talk on for that! Here’s the link!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

21/06/XX 12:02 Twitter for RotomPhone

TaylorTalks ✔️
@TaylorTalksTV

Replying to @TaylorTalksTV

This probably would have been more useful to be uploaded before the League, but I had only started editing it at the start of the Conference. And! As far as I know, this is the most in-depth overview video there is out there right now for non-natives!

21/06/XX 12:07 Twitter for RotomPhone

BabyBin
@BlastoiseBlastBoys

All Seven Champions and the Pokémon Teams they won their Leagues with for the first time, a thread!...

21/06/XX 15:45 Twitter for RotomPhone

Unlo
@aztobc

I feel like we should be talking more about the Restored Fossil Pokémon that are coming out of the Galar region…

21/06/XX 19:45 Twitter for CheriPhone

Digi
@DigitalPokck

Tell me why it’s been over a year and the government STILL hasn’t given my family the promised displacement payment! Lumiose City is basically fully repaired by now!

21/06/XX 20:32 Twitter for LumPhone

Elodie
@Elodiancy

After Ash Ketchum became Alola’s Champion and realising most people don’t know who he is I feel like we should really start raising more awareness for the Kalos Crisis and the afte-

Ash closes his phone.

“Good morning, Professor” Ash calls as he bounds down the loft ladder, Pikachu leaping from the top to land on Ash’s shoulder at the bottom, the Champion hardly outwardly registering the impact of his partner “Where’s Professor Burnet?”

“Burnet headed into Aether Paradise today” Kukui says. Ash hums curiously as he walks around Kukui, who’s in the kitchen, to grab himself a glass of water “I thought she was gonna be working remotely?”

Kukui shakes his head as he begins unstacking the dishwasher “She’s hybrid working right now, she goes in twice a week and stays there overnight to avoid so much travelling. At the end of her sixth month she’ll work completely remotely with flexible hours” Kukui smiles to himself “She was offered to take a complete pregnancy leave but that woman’s a workaholic, she’d go crazy with nothing to do” Ash sympathises, he feels like he’d be the same if he was a researcher- he knows he’s not much different when it comes to battling.

“Alright, well, we’re all gonna go on a run” Ash says, turning to his Pokémon, who are waking up from where they were sprawled across the living room “Just because we’re Champions doesn’t mean that’s an excuse to slack!” His Pokémon sans Rowlet reply enthusiastically to the proposed plan, and Ash starts navigating the kitchen space around Kukui as he prepares breakfast.

“You training today?” Kukui asks. Ash reaches down to retrieve the Pokémon food after pouring himself a bowl of cereal “Yup! It feels like it’s been forever!”

Kukui laughs at this “Our match wasn’t even a week ago, kid. You don’t slow down, do you?”

Ash hums a sing-song no, holding Lycanroc back by the horn with his foot as he tries to fill his bowl on the floor with food uninterrupted “Seven years and still going strong!”

Kukui replies with his own hum instead of replying, and goes quiet as he continues pottering about the kitchen. Ash gets to eating with his Pokémon, planning out his day. Lance is supposed to visit him at some point, so he’s gotta stay at Kukui’s all day- he doesn’t actually know when Lance is coming. But that’s no problem! He’ll just train with his team! He wasn’t making excuses when he said they’re not going to slack to Kukui. Champions are the supposed strongest trainer in their region, so he’s gotta make sure they keep living up to that title. Plus, there’s nothing better than a day with nothing to do and getting to train with your buddies. He’ll start by setting up some battles between them, then figure out what more specifically they should train for from there.

Kukui goes around picking up the empty bowls once they’re done and stacking them in the recently cleared dishwasher. “I’ll be in the home lab for most of today, okay Ash?” Kukui calls, and Ash shouts back an “Okay!” to show he heard, herding his Pokémon out of the house and encouraging them to jog up and down the southern Melemele beach with him, trying to rile them up for some energy. Lycanroc and Pikachu sprint off first, the former egging on the latter by throwing back some taunts at him.

It’s several hours later, and Ash and his Pokémon are still out on the Alolan beach, at it with their training. Pikachu is resting to the side with Incineroar, whilst Ash has tasked Rowlet and Lycanroc to barrage Melmetal with attacks in the attempt to teach it a defensive move. It had insisted to Ash that it believes it can learn Protect, verbalising its want to do so, and although throughout the morning Melmetal has gotten better at tanking hits, Ash still doesn’t think its quite there yet in terms of actually using the move. That of course, doesn’t mean they’ve let up just yet, and he’s been doubling the training objectives by having the others practice exhausting their attacks on Melmetal, training to be able to use the same move over and over for an extended period of time.

Still, Melmetal is clearly getting progressively exhausted and frustrated, so Ash makes the executive decision and finally calls out “Melmetal! I think it’s time we have a break”. The Pokémon turns to him, whining contradictorily both in complaint of the attacks it was taking making it sore, and of them giving up. “We’re not giving up!” Ash reassures, going over to it to pat the Pokémon “Like I said! Just a break, we’ll go back at it once you’ve had a rest so you can use what you’ve learnt at full strength.”

Rowlet flies over and perches on Melmetal’s head, cooing his own reassurances. Melmetal grumbles a low heavy scratchy sound, but at a few more words from Rowlet, it stands proud again with resolution and nods to Ash. “Great! That’s the attitude! Have a proper rest, then. Melmetal, return!”

Ash holds Melmetal’s Pokéball forward, of which it returns to, and Rowlet is forced back into flight as what he was once perched on is made incorporeal. The bird grumbles, showing his fatigue now that his friend’s spirits have been re-lifted, and flutters back to Ash, sneaking his way into his rucksack to commence his own rest. Ash smiles, calling back Lycanroc and Incineroar too, and turns to Pikachu “You tired, buddy?”

“Pika” He replies, bounding over to Ash and climbing back to his rightful perch on his partner’s shoulder. ’I’m tired but I still wish I could keep going’

“I get it” Ash reassures, jostling the shoulder Pikachu’s on “I know we gotta take a break every now and then, but man do I wanna just keep going until we get it.”

’Easy to say when you’re just standing around directing us’ Pikachu jokes, but Ash knows he doesn’t mean it. It’s often been Pikachu himself that reassures Ash what he’s doing during training is just as important as what his Pokémon do. That his input is invaluable. Ash has certainly gotten into his own head too often about the idea of him pushing his Pokémon too far, and it’s often Pikachu recounting the times Ash has pushed himself too far instead for the sake of his Pokémon, and that it doesn’t make him a bad trainer. It comes from a good place, of wanting to see his Pokémon succeed and fulfil their own dreams- not just his own.

“Hey! Ash!”

Ash spins around at the sudden call breaking his train of thought, to see Kukui stood on the house’s porch with a bemused expression “It’s round about lunch time right now! Come back in!”

“Oh! Right!” Ash yells back, realising he’d completely lost track of time. Well, he’d said it was time for a break, anyways. He’s about to start heading back to the house when Pikachu suddenly tears his attention back away from Kukui, announcing he sees something, gesturing wildly upwards with his tail.

His gaze follows Pikachu’s up high into the sky, trying to pierce what got the Pokémon to suddenly react so vocally. There’s a figure up there, that Ash can just about make out, a larger Pokémon heading their way. The blur gains a more parsable silhouette as it approaches, allowing Ash to realise there is in fact a second figure riding the back of the Pokémon, likely a trainer.

For a moment Ash thinks the figure is Kiawe, so used to seeing him and Charizard navigating the Alolan skies, but then Ash remembers who’s supposed to be paying him a visit, and as the blurred shape approaches and becomes more cohesive, Ash realises it is, in fact, definitely not Kiawe, and that Pokémon is definitely not a Charizard.

The person swoops down in a big circle to land in the Alolan sand outside of Kukui’s house, Ash watching in awe at the casual display of strength of the flying Pokémon, and of the presence the Champion of Kanto and Johto demands as he lands.

His Kantonian carries the hint of a Johtan accent “Champion Satoshi!” There’s delighted grandeur in his voice as he hops off of his Dragonite, arms spread wide and face alight “It’s about time I was able to address you as such.” The impressiveness and seriousness of the approach is soon overruled by the joy in the Champion’s voice to see him, and in Ash and Pikachu’s likewise familiar excitement.

Ash chuckles sheepishly as Pikachu waves energetically on his shoulder with his little stubby arms “Hey, long time no see, Wataru!” He replies, long since having learnt (been forced) to drop any honorifics when referring to the Champion, the hypocrite.

Lance still dons his usual cloak, always one for dramatics despite frequently denying it, but now he otherwise only wears a tight burgundy shirt and dark knee-length shorts, having apparently prepared somewhat for the Alolan weather. Pikachu hops off of Ash’s shoulder and runs up to just in front of Dragonite to begin talking her ear off to catch up. Dragonite smiles and engages with the smaller Pokémon amicably.

“First I must take the opportunity to congratulate you in person!” Lance lands a rather firm hand on Ash’s shoulder, and seems to be getting more enjoyment out of Ash’s new status than himself “It’s always exciting watching you battle, you can imagine my elation when you won!”

Ash smiles up at the other Champion, taking the compliment, before adding “Woah! You watched?”

Lance laughs a little “Of course I watched! I’m not a Champion for lack of passion for battle, after all, and I know any League you’re in is bound to be interesting” his expression changes for a second as he regards Ash, a flash of something else in his eyes, something knowing, and Ash tries not to show how caught off guard he is by it. Ever since Brock left he’s gotten less used to interacting with people that know everything about his past and all the implications that come with them.

Lance is one of the few people he chooses to confide in, and as a Champion he has connections that allow him to have an awareness of things that are more hidden from public knowledge. He knows and Ash knows he knows, but he still forgot what it’s like to interact with those that understand or reference deeper implications to something that would seem trivial to anyone else.

But it’s only a moment and then that look is gone, replaced by what is, frankly, the widest grin Ash has seen on his face “Plus it was the debut of the Alola Region’s League, any self-respecting Champion’s gotta keep an eye on the competition, eh?” Lance gives Ash a wink before his eyes flick to over Ash’s shoulders and his eyebrows raise in recognition “Professor Kukui, is it?” he asks, now in Galarian.

Ash turns around, remembering the Professor is also there, and as he looks at Kukui’s face it appears he also just recalled he’s there, too “Ah, yes. Please- Kukui is fine.”

“And just Lance is just fine too” the Champion smiles, before bumping shoulders with Ash “You won’t believe how long it took for me to drill that into this one’s head.”

Kukui rolls his eyes a little and huffs as a smile grows on his face “Oh you don’t have to tell me, I’m still working on that with him” and the Professor seems to ease up a little in the presence of the Champion after the casual introductions “Would you two like to come in?” He asks, looking back to Dragonite as well. Lance smiles, a little surprised.

Ash remembers back in his early days travelling around Kanto and Johto. The attitudes to Pokémon were much different there, although he’s sure it’s gotten better since then. How often he was quizzed on why Pikachu was out of his ball, why he hadn’t evolved him yet if he had a thunder stone. Pokémon, although still respected, were more often seen as tools or pets. Weapons for battle. Displays of strength or status. Of course, it was rarely that dramatic- taking it that literally was more in line with Team Rocket’s morals- but especially compared to Alola, that message was always under the surface, and anyone like him with significantly more emotional bonds with their Pokémon were questioned more.

Ash smiles as he’s reminded once more why he’s so proud to be representing Alola. Pokémon can be at most partners in other regions: here that’s often the very least they are. Family, friends, part of the community as individuals, not as property of their trainers. Even the respect towards wild Pokémon is better than he’s experienced anywhere else.

So Kukui, Ash, Lance, Pikachu and Dragonite are back in the beachside house, Pikachu returned to Ash’s shoulder as he sits on the living room sofa and invites Lance and Dragonite to do so too.

“I must also congratulate you, Kukui, on your establishment of a League in Alola” Lance calls to Kukui as he teeters about the kitchen making iced teas and gathering some biscuit snacks. Kukui grins back without looking up “Well I’d have to thank you as a Kanto’s current representative, then. In my youth I journeyed through Kanto and partook in the gym system, and watching Ash battle some of his Gym Leader friends on a school trip to Kanto were both accomplices in inspiring me to finally contact the League for funding and official endorsement.”

“Mm!” Ash turns to Lance “Kasumi and Takeshi both have key stones now! And Professor Kukui taught me mega evolution is permitted in Kanto Leagues now. Do you have a key stone too?”

Lance smiles and nods “If all’s according to plan, Johto should follow this coming winter. Although, Champion to Champion, that’s not official just yet, so no blabbing.”

Pikachu mimes zipping his mouth shut as Lance raises an arm, scrunching down his sleeve to reveal a bracket with a spherical iridescent stone secured within its design. “Pika-pi!” “Ah! That’s so cool!” Ash melts onto the sofa in dramatic detriment “Mannn, I wish I could use mega evolution.”

Lance gives him a peculiar side eye, glances to Kukui who appears to be none the wiser on the Champion’s accusatorially knowing look, then focuses back on Ash “Oh yes, Satoshi, amongst the many things I’ve come to discuss with you, I should perhaps start with asking who your sixth team member will be?”

“Hm?” Ash asks, looking up, and Lance’s expression calms to something more unreadable “Although Champions are not required to use the same team throughout their leadership- especially if one remains in such a position for an extended period of time- at some point you will be expected to perform 6 on 6 Pokémon battles. To my understanding, Satoshi, that ultra-beast Pokémon you had on your team for the league has been released?” Lance appears unreadable as he asks this, which has flipped the mood a whole 180.

Ash nods a confirmation and Lance keeps going “Do you have any other Pokémon you can use to fill your team?”

Lance knows for a fact Ash has a good few dozen Pokémon he could make his sixth Pokémon. None the less, Ash pauses for a moment, thinking, then says “I hadn’t thought about it to be honest. I want to represent Alola and its strengths as a newly emerging Leagued region. I guess that means I don’t want to use a Pokémon from my previous journeys, especially since I’d rather my team be made up of Pokémon native to Alola. Plus it would kind of skew the dynamics and man… how would I even choose” Ash throws himself back into the cushions.

“Pika” Pikachu whines indignantly, and Ash turns and grins, scratching the Pokémon lightly under the chin “You don’t count, buddy. Besides- Pikachu are native here, you get a free pass.”

There’s a lull in the conversation as Kukui finally sits amongst them and the two adults watch Ash silently dote on Pikachu before Lance speaks up once more “It’s always a pleasant surprise to see how much you’ve matured Satoshi, even if I know it’s come with some prices.”

Ash is honestly surprised at the call out as well as the sudden breaking of silence, and looks at Lance blankly, perfectly hiding any emotion. But he supposes such a face is telling enough as it is. Dragonite makes a low sympathetic rumbling noise. Lance glances Kukui’s way again briefly, who looks confused and cautious, but mildly understanding. At least Ash hadn’t left the poor professor completely out of the loop. Lance only hopes that means he’s gotten better since Kalos. “I’m not going to lie and say being a Champion- especially one in your particular position right now- isn’t an important job. However I know you, Satoshi, more than you like to pretend I do to others or even to yourself. Do not take on more pressure than you need and shoulder it silently by yourself.”

Lance risks another glance Kukui’s way and is honestly relieved to see more curious confusion on his face. He’s going to take it as a sign Ash has been more open and sharing of his troubles, and not as a sign that he’s gotten worse at sharing and in turn better at hiding the pressure slowly cracking at him- leaving Kukui completely out of the loop. Lance looks to Ash, whose face is still schooled, and speaks again before he knows the change in conversation that is coming comes “You have dozens of friends in every region: including the Champions and Gym Leaders of several. We are all indebted to you- but we are firstly your friends. We want to see you and this region do well.”

Lance wasn’t done talking, but Ash’s face splits into a wide grin and he’s already speaking before Lance can continue “Thanks, Wataru! Hey, Pikachu, since me and you are gonna be travelling more again maybe we can visit old friends?” “Pi-Kachu!”

Lance’ll have to take it. “Anyways, Satoshi, my second point is-“

“Oh yeah, Professor!” Ash is talking again, and damn it did Lance try pushing too much? Maybe he should have asked Kukui to leave. Or would have that made the kid feel more isolated? “Lance is always travelling to different regions, I met up with him in Hoenn, once!” The evasive choice of words doesn’t go over Lance’s head. You aided in taking down a world-ending criminal organisation’s plans. Again.

Kukui looks a little shocked to be dragged into the conversation, and his mouth opens a little foolishly, revealing the remains of a half scoffed biscuit before he closes it again “Ah-w- yes I imagine that was quite fun” and then he appears to wince at his own awkward answer. “I imagine it’s a lot easier to commute with such a powerful ride Pokémon” He settles on, instead.

Lance accepts the conversation has officially moved on, and finds sympathy on the Professor by engaging “Yes, Dragonite is a very competent flyer” the Pokémon chirps in happy confirmation at the compliment, her own biscuit grasped between two claws “However I did cross the Pacific Ocean in the comfort of a commercial aircraft” he says with mirth, and Kukui laughs a little less awkwardly “Ah you’re right. I’m so used to travelling between the different Alolan islands I suppose I forget how much further away everything else is.”

Lance smiles back at the Professor, before turning back to Ash, trying to seem as casual and jovial as possible to avoid another evasion via Professor “Satoshi! Now, may I ask for the honours of being your first Inter-Champion official battle?”

With the topic of Pokémon battle having come up, Ash is back to his usual happy self, nearly jumping out of the seat of excitement “Yeah, Lance, that’d be great! I haven’t battled you in so long” “Pika-Pika!”

Lance grins, unable to resist showing how enticed he is by the allure of a battle “I can’t wait, Satoshi. Watching you on television already betrays how strong you are, and that’s nothing compared to a heated battle in person.”

Kukui also jumps in at the opportunity to speak on a topic of conversation they’re all more confident with “I’d be delighted to arrange a formal battlefield and audience for you. I’m still a head of the Alolan League y’know.”

Lance smiles with genuine gratitude at Kukui “That would be appreciated- but I was wondering if we could perhaps perform the battle on an island besides the artificial stadium’s? Your and Ash’s aim to showcase Alola to the world is admirable and I wish to enable it, so I imagine it might be a good idea to exhibit a match elsewhere: no need for it to have to accommodate a full on 6v6 match.”

Kukui’s brow furrows and he hums lowly “I definitely agree with the sentiment, but I don’t know many places that could accommodate many people if you’re gonna want an audience: I’ll have a proper look into it.” Lance nods “I know given the tourism season it would be great for the economy as well. Perhaps you’d generate enough profit to start plans for a second smaller venue.”

Kukui crosses his arms and leans back in his armchair, hand running over his chin as he thinks. Pikachu moves to sit on Ash’s knee and attempts to lean across to the coffee table to grab a biscuit without falling off “A part of Alola’s culture is that Pokémon battles are often a part of nature. Taking on Totem Pokémon and Trials engages in both our traditions and in the local ecosystems. It allows both trainers and wild Pokémon to get stronger without damaging the place with too many man made structures and battle fields.” He trails off for a moment thinking, before sighing and reaching forward for his iced tea “But on the contrary, the whole point of me establishing the League here is for Alola to be taken seriously as a strong competitive battling Region.”

Ash, who’d remained mostly quiet amongst the other adults’ discussion- the more formal conversation a little lost on him- pipes up “Then we don’t have to fight on a formal battle field” Ash turns to Lance “My friends suggested my first battle between Champions should be a 1 on 1 and although you’re crazy strong, if we pick the right place we won’t do major damage.”

Lance frowns and nods “Yes, that’d be fun. Somewhere relatively open that could host us would, in nature, also have the room for an informal audience.” He then turns to Kukui “Are you able to facilitate protective force fields for at least the crowd?”

Kukui nods confidently at this “We have many competent Psychic Pokémon and trainers for an impromptu force field- but I’m sure we could arrange further protective measures for handling a larger audience wherever we choose that to be…”

A smile returns to Lances face once more, the prospect of an official battle being a viable option exciting him again “Excellent! We just need a site, yes?”

Ash turns to Kukui “What about Iki Town? Since it hosts the Kahuna’s Grand Trials it should be able to host our Pokémon battle right? People go to watch them all the time.”

Kukui winces “Kukuna Hala is very traditional about Alolan culture and is the most… insistent we maintain a balance between the League and the traditional trials of Alola.”

“He wants them separate” Lance translates bluntly and Kukui smiles awkwardly and lopsidedly “Yeah… I completely understand why, but I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t been just an extra hurdle in setting up the league. In truth he’s still giving us grief.”

Lance rubs his temple “Still, it’s an admirable cause, and it’s best not to try out our luck so early on in the League’s presence here: I suppose that calls off anywhere else that hosts your trials.”

“Which rules out basically everywhere that can accommodate a battle” Kukui huffs almost petulantly, and looks off to the side bemoaningly “You can see why I just built a new island from scratch” this gets a chuckle from Lance.

Again, Ash speaks up “What about the Pokémon school?”

Kukui’s eyebrows raise and Pikachu grins and nods eagerly, egging Ash on, who continues “I mean, the school kinda represents a large part of my identity in Alola, where I learnt a lot about this region and spent a lot of time with my friends, but also” he addresses Kukui “You have authority both as the head of the League and as a teacher there: and I know it can hold a good battle, Arceus knows how many times Turtonator has blown up there and how many Z-moves we’ve performed.”

Kukui looks at Ash for a moment, processing it, before his eyebrows raise further and a smile creeps across his face “Yeah, Keiki, I don’t know a better place to start with.” He turns to Lance to fill him in “It’s a very open space, and has- admittedly a little shoddy- safety measures set up we can reinforce. Plus you heard the boy on the sentimentality factor.” Lance laughs and adds on in agreement “The press’ll eat it up. That’s great! Helps your image too professor, reinforces your commitment to uphold Alola’s culture if the public is reminded you’re a teacher for Alola’s youth.”

Kukui’s smile turns a little strained, but he shakes past it “Then that’s settled. It’s the summer holidays so it won’t be that hard to get permissions, costs won’t be that high to facilitate an audience: we can have a standing crowd, no need to install seating for a short match.” He nods, grin again turning easy as he seems to reassure himself “Yup, I don’t see a problem!”

“Dra-nite!” Dragonite cheers, clapping her hands in glee. Lance smiles back at her before turning to Ash “That settles it! I’m in Alola for a week, so I’ll contact the League to organise a formal battle request and officially challenge you. Need time to get the people online hyped and advertise the tickets.” Lance grins daringly “You better accept the challenge, Ketchum.”

“Of course!” “Pika-Pi!” The partners grin ear to ear up at the other Champion “We can’t wait.”

Lance smiles and pats Pikachu’s head quickly as the two begin rambling to each other in hushed tones about battle tactics- really? Whilst he’s right there?- before looking up to Kukui and notching his head to the side, indicating wanting a word outside.

The Professor glances Ash’s way, decides the teen will be fine, and stands up “Right, Keiki, I’ll see Lance out and start organising some official League crap. I think it’s lunch time for you guys.”

Ash looks up at his boarder and smiles, completely absorbed in a cheerful mood at the prospect of the battle “Oh! Right! I almost forgot.” Lance begins walking out of the building with an unheard goodbye as Ash rushes to release his Pokémon with a flurry of hungry cries.

The two adults step out of the hut, where the chirping Wingull and waves crashing on the beach overtake the sounds of Ash clambering to give all of his team equal attention and affection.

The door shuts behind them and they’re silent for a moment, admiring the beauty of the Alolan beachfront. Waves sparkling with the reflection of the sun, golden sand and palm trees swaying in the distance lining a lush forest behind them.

Finally, without looking away from the scene, Lance breaks the silence “There’s a lot of ‘Official League crap’ that comes with being a Champion” Kukui looks to Lance, who’s own gaze doesn’t shift. Another long peaceful beat of silence before he speaks again “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that that’s not exactly Ash’s forte.”

Kukui scoffs and turns back to the scene, sitting down on the edge of his house’s decking. Lance doesn’t join him but Dragonite plonks herself down, legs swinging slightly. “I want to help him. But I know he won’t let me. Or anyone, really. But you’re my best hope.”

Kukui huffs indignantly, dropping his chin into his hand, elbow propped on a knee, but doesn’t retort a denial. Lance folds his hands behind his back, running a nail over the pads of his fingers. “Ash has spent most of his adult life a target. I fear with the incoming public attention it could become so much worse.”

Kukui is barely in the peripheral of Lance’s vision but he sees the man freeze and peer at the Champion through the corner of his own eye. His arm drops as he raises his head “What do you mean a target.”

“You’re a smart man, Professor, and well-travelled” Lance says in leu of an answer “But Ash is more experienced than any stranger could guess. I presume more experienced than all of us Champions combined.” Finally Lance sits down, but he still does not look at Kukui. It feels like a betrayal, to talk about Ash like this when he knows he’s one of few people Ash trusts well enough to voluntarily share information to, but he feels he’s at a cross road.

Kukui has succeeded in capturing Ash as best he can be captured, and he hopes the kid chooses Kukui to be an open ear, too- this time an open ear that’s close enough to do something. To know when somethings wrong when it’s not too late and he’s not half way across the globe “He has made enemies with some dangerous people. Some of those dangerous people are dead. But for all of those that he managed to rid of, several more follow the old head’s lead and take their place. People get bad ideas all the time, but recently those bad ideas have become more and more influenced by Ash himself.”

Lance runs a hand up and down Dragonite’s arm, who sighs happily “I wish the worst Ash has to concern himself with is which Region he can travel to next, and who he gets to battle. But being a Champion involves politics and diplomacy and nuance Ash is not known for. And Ash being a Champion involves the Gods, all the mistakes they make, and the bad people who wish to exploit those mistakes.”

Kukui is stunned silent, and Lance just prays he doesn’t go straight to Ash and starts asking questions, because Arceus knows that ruins everything and the boy will clamp up. He looks at Kukui, a sharp dangerous expression in his eyes “You founded the League that made him Champion. You will protect him, Professor”

“I-o-of course” Kukui stammers out, frowns, then says more resolutely “I’d planned to, anyway.”

“Good” Lance nods “Like I said, there’s a lot of extra nuance and responsibility that comes with being a Champion. I hope as one of the Alolan League’s Heads and as his acting guardian you will guide him through this.” Lance reaches into a pocket in his shorts and pulls out a business card, handing it to Kukui “These are all ways to contact me personally. You will be in contact with me. I refuse to leave you in the dark. I want Ash to succeed and, in extension, Alola. I know you do too. I should be the first person you call. As I said to Ash earlier, I am indebted to him far more than he cares to admit.”

Kukui takes the business card and looks at it dumbly. It’s nothing fancy, just a phone number, email, and social media handles. He looks up at Lance, steely gaze “Of course. I appreciate your insight, Champion”

At this Lance allows him to smile slightly, sliding off the beach house deck as Dragonite follows suit. “Please, Kukui, Lance is just fine.”

And, of course with dramatic flair and swooshing of capes, he mounts Dragonite in perfect sync with the Pokémon making a powerful beat of her wings, soaring them both into the sky at impressive speeds.

Kukui looks at the business card again, scoffs, and stands up, heading back inside the house where Ash is in a heated argument with Melmetal again about eating the kitchenware.

Chapter Text

SweetSuicune ✔️
@SweetSuicuneVlogger

Finally edited my vlog on travelling to Alola for their first League Conference! Guys I rushed so much to get this edited and out quickly please don’t let this flop 🙏 🙏 🙏

22/06/XX 07:20 Twitter for RotomPhone

Eimy’s Roseary
@EimysRoseary_Florist

Thank you to everyone who attended my family business’ 20th anniversary here in Veilstone city! May Arceus bless you all 😊🙏

22/06/XX 09:46 Twitter for LumPhone

Jonathon R
@JonRCalrio

Love how Alolan’s first League is won by the only non-Alolan to pass the Preliminaries. Great way to show off Alola’s strength, Kukui

22/06/XX 10:32 Twitter for KoPhone

K A I
@Glitchy_Polygons

Replying to @JonRCalrio

Is it exhausting spending your free time hating on a kid?

22/06/XX 10:45 Twitter for CheriPhone

Jonathon R
@JonRCalrio

Replying to @Glitchy_Polygons

He’s 17 he’s not a kid

22/06/XX 10:47 Twitter for KoPhone

K A I
@Glitchy_Polygons

Replying to @JonRCalrio

Ur just pissy someone half ur age is more successful than you will ever be, go choke on a applin

22/06/XX 10:50 Twitter for CheriPhone

tilly
@Tillymillyvanilli

Replying to @JonRCalrio

Yeah, Officer Jenny, that one right there.

22/06/XX 11:02 Twitter for KoPhone

BOO
@Beawear00oo00

GUYS I WAS IN MELEMELE YESTERDAY AND I JUST SAW LANCE??? LIKE CHAMPION LANCE??? @ChampWataru WELCOME TO ALOLA BUT WHEN TF DID YOU EVEN GET HERE?

[Image attached]

22/06/XX 12:22 Twitter for KoPhone

T-QUEEN
@Samayatweets

Replying to @Beawear00oo00

OMG NO WAY ME TOO I bet he’s here for Ash!!!!!

22/06/XX 12:45 Twitter for KoPhone

Naoimi
@Naominini

Replying to @Samayatweets

I’m sorry but you make it sound like Lance is out to get him 😭

22/06/XX 12:53 Twitter for CheriPhone

“Wataru is in Alola?

“Ugh!” Misty shouts “I can’t believe he beat me to it!”

Ash is in the outskirts of the Wednesday Hau’oli market, warm doughnuts in hand- or previously in hand, considering he and Pikachu, who currently occupies his lap, ate theirs in record time- sitting on a bench with Misty, Lana, and Mallow.

Ash just shows a toothy grin to Misty “At least he had the courtesy to call me a warning before he arrived.” Well, Ash had gotten a call from Misty, but he’s pretty sure her announcing she’d landed at Melemele’s airport and demanding he come to meet her there with absolutely zero forewarning doesn’t really qualify as in advance. “You’re just too slow, Kas.”

“You’re too slow!” She shrieks back, finger pressed firmly into Ash’s forehead like she’s trying to pierce into his brain. Lana suppresses a smirk but Pikachu indulges in full on belly laughs as if it’s the funniest thing he’s ever heard, and Ash cups a hand over his partner’s mouth in an attempt to shut him up and/or suffocate him. Either’s good with him.

“If it makes you feel any better, I’ve already got an angry voicemail from Iris about her not being my first Champion match.” he says with a shrug, ignoring the electric shocks that are surely making his hair stand up, now. Earlier in their meetup, when asked by Lana whether there was anything to update them on after Lance called yesterday, he’d revealed that he’d been quick to propose preparing an audience for a battle. That’s when Misty had found out she’d been beaten to it in terms of congratulating Ash on his victory in person- although he hasn’t heard any actual congratulations from her yet.

“How did she even find out?” Mallow inquires, legs swinging underneath the bench as she munches on her doughnut. Upon hearing Misty was visiting, Lana and Mallow had both wanted to tag along and meet up with her again, Lillie and Kiawe were both busy and Sophocles claimed not wanting to ‘join your girls day out’. Ash thinks that was supposed to be some sort of dig at him.

“Oh, the Champions are all in kahoots with each other” Misty waves her hand dismissively, before redirecting it to point at Ash “As if you weren’t already buddy-buddy with all of them! How many scandals have you unearthed this week?” Ash chooses not to mention he’s already been added to a group chat with all of them.

“None, you gossip.” Ash pokes his tongue out and Lana raises an eyebrow at the weak insult. Seeing this, Ash mentally defends himself based off the fact he learnt most of his colloquial Galarian from Iris, who spent half of her time calling him childish, and the other half acting childish, herself “Well, when are we gonna battle, huh?” Misty shrieks, and honestly Ash fears this- despite all of the explosions he’s been involved in- might be the thing that finally renders him deaf.

“You can have one right now if you like.” he says with cheek, receiving a clip round the ear he makes a show of being incredibly hurt by “You know what I meant,-” Misty splutters as she fails to find the translation for the word she’s looking for “twerp!”

“Twerp?” Ash guffaws as he repeats the word back, and Misty’s face turns red in rage “Alright, Jessie”

“‘Jessie’” Misty mocks in a thick Unovan accent, which’s inaccuracy is more insulting than anything, “God you’re so Western.”

“Am not!” He reputes, and Misty continues to match his bitching “You’re literally Champion of the most western region on the globe!” “I’m still Kantonian!” “Alright, Ash” “Misty” “Ugh!”

“Ash just doesn’t want to admit you’re not worth battling since he’s much higher ranked than you, now” Lana pipes up finally to break up the rapidly digressing back-and-forth, only to stir the pot more and betray Ash in a way he’ll never forgive. Misty still falls for the bait and shrieks, again, pulling at his ear like she’s trying to rip it off “Ow, ow, Kasumi quit it!”

Pikachu zaps his own partner, the bastard, giggling as he joins in on the bullying, and Ash gives him a look that he hopes conveys you’re sleeping outside tonight. Pikachu doesn’t seem to care one bit. It would have been more effective in a region with less forgiving nighttime weather.

“So when’s Lance officially challenging you?” Mallow asks, sipping on a mixed berry juice completely unperturbed by the violent display in front of her, and Ash laments over how none of his friends seem to be on his side. Misty relents to let him answer, and he rubs his ear pathetically despite a lack of any sympathy given to him “Ugh, he said he needed to get a formal permission through the League, but I think he’ll announce it pretty soon. Professor Kukui was sorting out permissions for the battle grounds this morning, and Lance’s only here for a week so we want the news to get out soon enough for a decent crowd and press coverage to form.”

“Oh my god you sound so formal” Misty frowns in disgust “What’s all this talk on press and official invitations. Where’s the Satoshi I know and tolerate.”

“Right here.” Ash humphs as he eyes the last of Lana’s doughnuts, who looks at him like him having the thought she’d consider even for a second giving one to him is thoroughly insulting. He looks away like a kicked Lillipup. “Anyways, this is my new adventure.”

Misty raises an eyebrow, and gives room for a judgmental pause in the conversation “…Rubbing shoulders with official League business?” She asks dubiously, as if she’s not been a Gym Leader for over seven years.

“No- like ugh!” Ash huffs in frustration, as always struggling with his words “I’m gonna get to travel across different regions and battle strong Trainers and learn more about the Pokémon world from a different perspective!” He waves his arms around “I gotta get even stronger and learn even more to become the greatest Pokémon master! Just because I’m a Champion doesn’t mean I should stop!”

A soft half-smile creeps tellingly across Misty’s face and she almost looks a little proud of him which, first of all, ew “There he is.”

Ash fake gags and rolls his eyes “What you even doing here.”

The smile is immediately gone and Misty flings back her head and moans, irritated “Well I wanted to be the first out to congratulate you, but some other pompous Champion beat me to it. I didn’t even wait for Takeshi!”

“He’ll never forgive you” Ash grins and gets another weaker clip around the ear. “Some of us don’t get paid to go on holiday, Champion” Misty bites back. Ash nearly growls back at her “I haven’t even left Alola yet!” “Alola was supposed to be a holiday! You’re proving my point!”

“Misty?”

“Hm?” The girl’s demeanour completely changes as she snaps her attention away from Ash to look around him at Lana, who beholds her with sparkling eyes, doughnuts now finished “Man I ask you for a battle?”

Ash knows Misty is many things. Arrogant, abrasive, a great complainer. But no matter how much she tries to act better than Ash, he knows as well as her that the prospect of a battle gets her just as fired up as him. She succeeded in being validated as a Gym Leader so young for a reason. Just because she’s better at hiding it than Ash means nothing. “Water Trainer to Water Trainer?”

“Of course” Lana grins, eyes sparking with challenge. Although she’s no Kiawe or Ash, she still enjoys battling when it’s against an opponent or for a cause she has an interest in. “Besides, last time we called you promised me one.”

“Yay!” Mallow claps her hands excitedly, standing up “C’mon then to the beach! I can’t believe how much more exciting I find battles now.”

Ash grins as he too stands, Pikachu dropping to the floor in front of him from his lap “You’re welcome.”

“Not all your doing” Mallow scoffs, sticking her nose in the air and firmly placing her hands on her hips “Maybe Kiawe’s rants finally whittled me down.”

“Not much of a battler yourself?” Misty asks, standing up, having mellowed out on the change of topic. Mallow shakes her head “It never really interested me, and even now I’d much rather watch than actually battle. I will admit Ash did enlighten me to how interesting battles can be besides a back and forth of brute strength” at this she side-eyes the boy, a glare warning him not to get cocky. He still dons a grin as he begins leading the way. “So what I’m hearing is it is all my doing.”

“This’ll be a two-on-two battle!” Ash proclaims, having taken the mantle of referee so Mallow can cheer from beside him alongside Tsareena and Lycanroc, who’re out of their Pokéballs. “Both Members are permitted to use substitutions and a Trainer wins once both of their opponent’s Pokémon are knocked out!” He calls out across the beach. Lana grabs a Pokéball pre-emptively. Misty eyes her from across the impromptu battlefield and runs her fingers over the Pokéballs in her beach short pockets. Despite the hour and the tourism season, they were able to find a large enough lot of empty sandy land to host a battle. Whilst for the most part they’ll likely remain uninterrupted, several people further down the beach turn to the teens’ direction in curiosity, some even recognising the Champion as being one of them.

Ash raises his hand and Pikachu mimes him at his side atop Lycanroc “Trainers, release your first Pokémon!”

“Sandy, go!” “C’mon out, Politoed!”

The respective Pokéballs are thrown up into the air, recoiling as they open to spill out the Pokémon they enclose, bright energy pooling into a tangible form before each Trainer. Ash grins and throws his arm down once the Pokémon have materialised, Pikachu following suit once more as Lycanroc jumps about, cheering “Let the battle begin!”

Misty is the first to call out a command, wasting no time. “Bounce!” Politoed obediently leaps into the air, reaching an impressive height thanks to its short but powerful legs. Lana grimaces up at the sky, squinting against the midday sun but failing to get a good visual on where exactly Politoed is against the glare “Sand Attack, launch it up!”

Sandy digs his paws into the beach, growling in concentration. Then he glows with energy as he throws chunks of gritty sand up into the air above him, kicking up a dusty cloud alongside it. “Now, Politoed!” Misty yells, and the Pokémon crashes down from the sky legs first, narrowly missing Sandy who yelps and barrel rolls out of the way last second, still taking some damage from the proximity “Focus Blast! Now!”

“Tackle it straight on!” Lana yells in retaliation. Politoed brings its hands together and focuses, sending out a concentrated ball of energy that rockets towards Sandy. The Eevee does as commanded and jumps straight into the attack, deflecting it to the right of Politoed, further spraying sand everywhere to impede Politoed’s immediate vision “Don’t stop, Politoed! Another Focus Blast!”

“Don’t let yourself get hit again! Dodge, Sandy!”

Another ball of energy shoots out from Politoed towards Sandy, who was able to learn from the previous attack and predict its trajectory, jumping to the side and beginning to run towards Politoed “Bite, now!”

“Dodge it!” Misty yells too late as Sandy jumps with his maw wide open at the Frog Pokémon, promptly forcefully clamping down on Politoed’s clavicle, who yelps at getting caught in the attack’s unforgiving grasp “Mega Punch!”

Politoed, grunting from Sandy still being attached by the teeth, reels its clenched fist back and sends it straight to his stomach, launching the Eevee back with a broken shriek.

He’s hurtled across the battlefield, rolling as he lands roughly in the sand, groaning and winded but not yet knocked out “Come on Sandy! Get up!” The Pokémon staggers to his feet, able to stand but unlikely to be able to tank any more volatile hits like that.

“Hydro Pump, finish it!”

“Double-Edge!”

Sandy staggers, weak on his paws as he glows with the power of the next move, Politoed’s head is tilted back, mouth open with water concentrating above it as it charges a Hydro Pump to send his way. Sandy races to Politoed, yelling, and barrels into it, leaving himself victim to both the Hydro Pump at point-blank range and the recoil from the Double-Edge.

A cloud of sand is kicked up from the two powerful head-on attacks, and the four Trainers wait silently for it to clear. When it does it reveals Sandy passed out and sprawled beneath Politoed, who lets out a heavy croaking breath and straightens up, glaring at Lana with competitive determination “Poli Poli!”

“Thanks, Sandy” Lana sighs, recalling the Eevee and switching Pokéballs, letting her own breath out to remain calm-minded. “Right! Come on out, Primarina!” She throws the second ball in a high arch through the air, eyes set only on Politoed as her starter is released.

Lana hardly lets her fully materialise before commanding “Aqua Jet!” Primarina is already in motion fresh out of the Pokéball, emerging having already anticipated her Trainer’s strategy.

It catches both opponents off-guard “Focus Blast!” Misty yells in rebuttal, but Aqua Jet hits fast and true, launching Politoed back before it has much of a chance to do anything to prepare for the attack. Lana, competitive and now aided by the stronger of her two Pokémon, doesn’t faulter “Now, Surf!”

Primarina raises her flippered arms to the skies and calls to it with a melodic cry, the waves from the tidewater nearby receding in preparation to crash into Politoed per her command. This garners more attention of people enjoying the beach further down the coast as younger kids cry out their curiosity.

“Hydro Pump!” Misty yells, and Politoed has just enough time to launch the attack to hit Primarina before it gets drowned by the strong waves pummelling into it. The now foamy water soon recedes to its natural order in the sea, revealing a fainted and drenched Politoed.

“Politoed has fainted” Ash cheers “Show her, Lana!”

“That’s bias, ref!” Misty yells without averting her gaze from Lana’s as she recalls Politoed and chucks the next Pokéball casually “Gyarados, come on out!”

The Pokémon shrieks as it emerges from its Pokéball with an intimidating presence, and again Lana wastes no time, barely registering the Pokémon as she calls out “Aqua Jet, Primarina!”

Misty, having caught onto the speed tactic from when Primarina was first released, is prepared and yells just as quickly “Catch it with a Crunch!”

Primarina barrels speedily, encased in a torrent of water, towards Gyarados’s midsection, but the serpentine beast writhes and contorts itself to catch the Pokémon with its unforgivingly powerful jaws, grunting from the damage it’s forced to endure yet clenching on tight to Primarina. She lets out a distorted shriek in strangled pain, suspended in the air as her midsection remains seized by Gyarados’s maw’s grasp “That’s it! Keep it there and charge up a Hyper Beam!”

“Sparkling Aria!” Lana calls out desperately, and Primarina tries to calm herself enough to sing, but the move isn’t made to be as effective by her shaky voice from the pain of the ongoing Crunch, and the threat of a manifesting attack being only inches from her helplessly prone body.

And then she’s hit by the point-blank Hyper Beam.

“Primarina!” Lana yells as her Pokémon is blasted across the beach, rolling across the abrasive sand and yelping as she skids to a stop and immediately tries to stand herself up. The distant speckled crowd also make sympathising noises of pain. “Hold yourself up and use Icy Wind!” “Rain Dance, Gyarados!”

Primarina throws her head back and calls out shrilly as a gust of frozen wind is summoned and hurled towards Gyarados. The Atrocious Pokémon growls as it’s forced to take the hit whilst it howls its own cry and summons rainfall upon the sunny Alolan beach. Lana tries not to overthink the terrain altering move- given Primarina is also a water type that would benefit from it- and just assumes Misty has some other tactic planned. Lana just goes forward with what she knows. “Come on now! Surf!”

“Now, Hurricane!”

Both Pokémon cry up to the sky again as they push all their strength into beckoning their attacks, angelic voice verses snarling roar. Wind spirals around Primarina, kicking up sand and swirling around her in an aggressive display of power as the attack charges, the ocean’s water once again receding and launching itself with power at Gyarados.

Primarina cries as the hurricane hits her and she’s flung up off the beach, assaulted by the powerful attack only made more volatile by the rain, and Gyarados howls in pain as it tries to steel itself against the force of the Surf that’s likewise made much stronger by the terrain.

Primaria horrifyingly drops to the ground like deadweight and Gyarados falters, panting and snarling. Ash runs across the sidelines to check out Primarina as Misty’s own Pokémon growls and shakes off the damage it endured. Upon watching her for a silent few seconds, he raises his arm resolutely, alongside Pikachu. The rain begins to clear “Primarina is unable to battle, all of Lana’s Pokémon have fainted, Misty wins the battle!”

Both Trainers return their Pokémon, privately thanking them for the battle. Misty jogs over to Lana, congratulating her. “It was an enjoyable battle” Lana says, and any hint of disappointment from losing is overshadowed by the small smile she shares with Misty “Thank you”

“My pleasure” The Gym Leader grins, and she turns to address the group more as a whole “Where’s the nearest Pokémon Centre?” she asks, referring to the fainted and damaged Pokémon she’d much rather heal up sooner rather than later.

“Back in Hau’Oli” Mallow says, and she notches her head in the city’s general direction “C’mon, we can come back to the beach afterwards, unless it becomes overwhelmed by tourists.” Ash spares a glance downcoast as she begins leading the way, to where more tourists occupy the beach. Several of them still glance in the direction of the group, but with the battle over their interest seems to be lost. Ash is grateful for it, and he begins to follow the rest of the group back to Melemele’s capital.

Easy conversation picks up again as they walk, Ash somehow ending up the most mocked out of the group, as if the girls had all made an agreement behind his back to have him be the butt of every joke. Really, it seems, introducing Misty and Brock to his Alolan friends was the worst idea he’s ever had.

“Oh yea, Professor Burnet’s pregnant!” Mallow cheerfully adds to a previous comment about the Professor at Ash’s expense, and although Misty beams she seems a little lost trying to remember who that is “Professor Kukui’s wife.” Lana supplies passively, and finally Misty allows herself to be truly elated “What really? Oh that’s amazing! When’s she due?”

The girls’ eyes turn to Ash, who would logically be the person most likely to know the answer to that question, but he struggles to come up with a date. “Uhh… sometime in the winter? I think?” he speculates, and Misty doesn’t hold back showcasing how disappointed she is with him “Do you ever listen to anything anyone ever says if it’s unrelated to Pokémon battles?”

Ash puffs out his cheeks in defiance “It’s not that I don’t listen, it’s just I listen a little more when it’s about battles” Lana’s expression in reaction to that helpfully informs Ash that it wasn’t the comeback he thought it was “We’re walking home together today” He adds, as if to scrape up some justification that see? He does pay attention to what others say and remembers some things.

“Home? Is she not at home already on pregnancy leave?” Misty asks quizzaly, and Ash gets some muted satisfaction that she doesn’t seem to understand the processes involved in being pregnant much more than Ash does “No, no. She goes into work for two days a week and then works remotely otherwise. She only gets maternity leave when the baby is born.” He regurgitates what Professor Kukui had told him yesterday morning.

“And she’s coming back from Aether Paradise today.” Ash passively checks his phone for any word from her, but upon being met with what is frankly hundreds of thousands of unfiltered notifications from his socials, he just pockets RotomPhone again and casts aside the bewilderment at how it just seems to be getting worse “I agreed to wait for her by the beach we were just at and walk back with her. She’ll be there in like two hours.”

Misty turns back to Lana and Mallow at this “And how much further is the walk to the Pokémon Centre?” Ash is only mildly offended at Misty not even bothering to ask Ash, as she unfortunately assumes correctly in that he has no idea. “Like five minutes” Lana says. Ash grins “Great! We can get some food whilst we’re there too.”

Mallow scoffs “I’m surprised you don’t pop from the amount of food you eat.”

“You’re telling me!” Misty adds in outrage “It was even worse when we travelled together! Imagine how much hungrier he was when he was ten, still growing, and spending the whole day walking and being active!” Lana nods in sympathy at the horror of the situation, before adding “I’m more impressed that he’s grown since he was ten, if anything” Pikachu howls in laughter at this.

The rest of the group forbade Ash from buying any food with the excuse of that he’d be ruining his dinner, so they don’t hang around long before they head back to the city’s beachfront after healing their Pokémon. It’s still surprisingly empty, given the time of day and the tourism season, but they chalk it up to them sitting on the more gravelly end of the beach that’s closer to Ten Carat Hill, whilst everyone enjoys the softer yellower sand further west, closer to the shopping district.

They do little more than stand around and chat, each taking turns to throw a stick Lycanroc had found back towards the ocean so he can energetically fetch and return it, demanding another throw each time. It’s nice to see that the Rock Type’s previous aversion to water has turned into him actually enjoying it, as he rockets after the stick each time and splashes through the shoreline of the sea in its pursuit. Mallow checks her phone in a natural break in the previous conversation and as Lana makes a comment on how impossibly far Ash seems to be able to throw the stick on his turn, as it ends up going too far, sploshing into the water and prompting Lyanroc to begin wading through the deeper waters in a helpless search of it.

“Oh! Oh! Oh!” Attention snaps back to Mallow as she begins insistently tapping on Ash’s shoulder with the heel of her palm whilst looking down at her phone “Lance has finally sent out the official battle request!”

“Woah lemme see” Ash insists, making a reach for the girl’s phone who snatches it back and snaps at him to use his own fancy phone they got for him. Pikachu is allowed to hop onto Mallow’s shoulder and peer at her screen, though, so Ash is highly offended by the blatant bias, and bemoaningly takes RotomPhone out of his pocket and opens the news app.

It’s already on the front page, only posted half an hour ago, an article from the League that announces that Champion Lance has made an Official Battle Request against New Alolan Champion Ash Ketchum, there’s several debates and comments on who will win, understandably most leaning in Lance’s favour- and like, fair enough, but the spike of offense Ash feels from the bias only helps fill him with more determination and drive to prove them all wrong.

There’s also an hour old message from Lance himself about how Ash needs to log into the League Website and officially accept the battle request before confirming anything online, and since when was there all this malarkey involved in battling?

“There always has been” Misty says, replying to thoughts that were apparently spoken out loud “It’s just that for the actual League Conferences it’s all automatic, and at Gyms the Gym Leaders are the ones who have to deal with all the filing and bookkeeping.” and she looks at Ash, then, entirely unimpressed that’s he gone 7 years, travelled with several Gym Leaders, and has never known this.

Ash has no real come back for what he admits is an embarrassing lack of knowledge on his part- the words ‘Ash’ and ‘Paperwork’ don’t belong in the same sentence- so he sticks his tongue out rudely at her and goes back to his phone, sending a thumbs up and a smiley face to Lance before navigating to a web browser to sort out said malarkey.

“It makes the whole thing way less cool seeing it from this side” Lana comments as she watches Ash helplessly navigate the League website from over his shoulder “I think I preferred when the magic was maintained and you just see two competent Trainers battle it out on tv.”

“The thought of Cynthia sitting at a computer and doing paper work really ruins the vibe” Mallow agrees solemnly, and Ash sends an offended side eye to her for insulting his people, and finally finds the apparent button he needed to click, evidenced by the website displaying the page he’d been trying to find:

Official Inter-Regional Champion Battle Proposal

From: Wataru (Lance) Chevalier, Kanto and Johto
To: Satoshi (Ash) Ketchum, Alola

Location: Alola Region, Melemele, Pokémon School Battle Grounds

Battle nature:

- 1v1 Singles Battle
- Trainer wins once all opponent’s Pokémon are deemed unable to battle
- one of:

- Z-Moves
- Mega Evolutions

may be used per battle at the Trainers’ full discretion.

Response:

-> Accept
-> Decline
-> Propose alternate Location/Battle Nature

Ash only casts the decision a moment’s thought- moreso checking if he’d missed anything in the descriptions rather than actually debating going through with the battle, it was always going to be a yes- before clicking ‘Accept’ and satisfying a further double-verification confirmation. He gets a little screen display of an envelope folding up and flying away. Cute.

“You gotta accept it on Social Media too” Mallow complains in his ear pretty immediately after Ash accepts the battle request “You need to get the people hyped! C’mon!!” She grabs his shoulders and shakes him- like that’d convince him if he disagreed- and Pikachu eggs her on from her shoulder. Maybe Ash’ll choose to battle with a different Pokémon, that’ll show him…

Ash opens Twitter and is immediately presented with his profile. 22K followers. He has a moment to balk over the fact that is way more followers than he remembers starting the day with, before he puts that aside to be thought about later and scrolls through his home page- not needing to for long before he finds a tweet by Lance that he was mentioned in:

Lance ✔️
@ChampWataru

@ChampSatoshi_Ket Congratulations on the League Victory! It’s great to see how far you and Pikachu have come! However, since I’m in Alola, I propose the best way to really test that would be with a battle of our own, Champion to Champion…?

15:30 23/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

xx_345_L
@Puffabskaq

Replaying to @ChampWataru

OH MY GODS??? Is that Satoshi’s official Twitter??? Is this his first official inter Champion match??? Wataru knows Satoshi already????

15:31 23/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Lotta waffles
@Pleican

Replaying to @Puffabskaq

Yes, yes and apparently so??? I’m SO HYPED ALREADY ITS BEEN LIKE TWO MINUTES

15:32 23/06/XX Twitter for KoPhone

Flebebebebe
@Beebeenbee

Replying to @ChampWataru

LANCE IS IN ALOLA??? WHICH ISLAND??? AHHHH LANCE COME TO AKALA PLEASEEEEE 🧎🧎🙏🙏🙏

15:31 23/06/XX Twitter for KoPhone

Ven
@Vmilison29

Replying to @ChampWataru

Well, Ash’s good luck streak was fun whilst it lasted, Alola’s about to be shown what a real Champion is like

15:32 23/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Chalk board
@elmenopi

Replying to @Vmilison29

Fr if I were Ash I wouldn’t accept. Dudes from Kanto he KNOWS how strong those Trainers are, especially Lance

15:34 23/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Kiapi
@holymagikarp_..

Replying to @elmenopi

Girl he can’t just not accept that would look even worse for Alola. He’s at a loss-loss.

15:35 23/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Kim 🏝️
@Ki_Toucanplay

Replying to @ChampWataru

I can’t wait for that Kanny to finally be put in his place, so disrespectful to Alola and our culture for some rando foreigner to come to our region and have the league rigged in his favour.

15:31 23/06/XX Twitter for KoPhone

xx_345_L
@Puffabskaq

Replying to @Ki_Toucanplay

Dude what

15:40 23/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

DAWN
@DawnBerlitzpom

Replying to @ChampWataru

AHHHH GOOD LUCK @ChampSatoshi_Ket YOU GOT THISSS

15:50 23/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

“Oh you’re kidding me. Dawn beat me to it” Misty grumbles from over Ash’s other shoulder. He hadn’t realised he’d gotten distracted scrolling through the replies and blushes a little at his friends having seen him doing so. Ash peers at Misty disapprovingly and makes an act of liking Dawn’s tweet, the innocent gesture making Misty seethe because apparently that’s enough to kick up her competitive nature. Ash gets back on track on what he’d actually opened the app for and replies to Lance, unofficially (but publicly) accepting the offer now that the official (but confidential) acceptance had been carried out.

Ash And Pikachu
@ChampSatoshi_Ket

Replying to @ChampWataru

Thank you! And it’s on!!!

[image attached: Pikachu dons Ash’s cap whilst standing on the beachside, glaring at the camera with confident determination, cheeks sparking and chest stuck out. Despite the apparent attempt to look cool and intimidating, the camera angle, his puffed out cheeks and the cap that’s just a bit too big for him only serves to make him look adorable]

16:13 23/06/XX Twitter for RotomPhone

xx_345_L
@Puffabskaq

Replying to @ChampSatoshi_ket

I would die for Pikachu

16:13 23/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Ash And Pikachu
@Champsatoshi_Ket

Replying to @Puffabskaa

He says please don’t <3

16:14 23/06/XX Twitter for RotomPhone

xx_345_L
@Puffabskaq

Replying to @ChampSatoshi_ket

AADBHJAD?????!! OMG HI ASH AND PIKACHU RESPONDED I LOVE YOU BOTH <33333

16:15 23/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Alolan League ✔️
@OfficialAlolaLeague

@ChampWaratu @ChampSatoshi_Ket

The upcoming official battle between Lance, Champion of Kanto and Johto, and Ash, the newly announced Champion of Alola, has been scheduled for Sunday the 27th of June at 4PM local time, located at the Pokémon School Battle Grounds on Melemele Island, Alola!

Tickets and further information can be found in the link below: www.https//BattleLeague/Battles/Alola/…

16:50 23/06/XX Twitter for KoPhone

With the group tuckered out for the day, they’ve sat themselves down on the beachside looking out to the sea, Lana and Misty taking the lead of the conversation in exchanging stories, Mallow occasionally fact checking Lana with her affinity for, as the cook politely puts, ’making shit up’. Ash also begins interrupting Misty to incorrectly correct her, which drives the Gym Leader up the wall and has put him at threat of serious harm several times. However, their conversation halts as Ash suddenly turns around and calls unprompted “Oh, hey Professor Burnet!”

The rest of them turn to see the woman approaching them- not quite sneaking up on them, but close enough that she clearly opted out of calling for their attention “Hey kiddos” She smiles, accent distinctly Unovan, and Misty definitely likes the Professor because she doesn’t make any sort of snarky correction that Ash knows several others would have received had they called her the same thing. Ash didn’t know she could become more irritating, but clearly turning 18 just unlocked more ways for Misty to be insufferable. Burnet looks to Ash “If you guys wanna stay out later you can, I can head back by myself.” She says, taking note of the conversation she’d interrupted.

Ash shakes his head, standing up, Pikachu hopping up to seamlessly return to his perch on Ash’s shoulder “Nah, we were all gonna retire for the afternoon anyways, we were just waiting for you.”

“Oh you didn’t have to” Burnet replies politely to the group, and the girls shake their heads “It was only for, like, ten minutes.” Mallow assures, and Lana smiles sweetly as she adds with a fully sincere tone “We could just about stand Ash’s company for that much longer.” Ash misses what she’s really saying until he notices Misty snigger at the other Water Trainer’s words, a surefire way to figure out he's being mocked when talked about. The glare he sends Lana’s way is too belated to hold any real weight.

“And do you know where you’re staying, Misty?” Burnet addresses the Gym Leader as Ash comes to stand beside the Professor. Misty nods “Yup, Ash checked into the hotel with me earlier. Lana’ll walk me back, her house is in a similar direction”. The aforementioned girl raises an expressionless thumbs up.

Burnet’s gaze moves to Mallow, who promptly assures her too that she’s good to head home on her own. With the responsible(er than Misty) adult assured everyone’s good, she turns to Ash and Pikachu “Right! I guess we’ll head back now. Kukui promised me a home-cooked meal I don’t even have to look in the direction of the kitchen for. He said it’s Kantonian.”

Ash pouts after he waves goodbye to his friends once they start walking away “The Professor always kinda butchers them” Burnet laughs at this “And yet you eat them right up! I’ve seen you eat far more appalling things than Kukui’s mediocre cooking.”

Ash skips on defending himself and folds his arms in a boyish strop, looking away indignantly “It’s not bad, it’s just that it’s not really… properly Kantonian.” Burnet sniggers and bumps gently into Ash’s shoulder as she walks “Tough crowd to please when he’s cooking for an actual Kantonian. He learnt these recipes over a decade ago in his mid-teens, and his other cooking isn’t exactly extraordinary” it’s no exaggeration, the Professor has perfectly average cooking skills, albeit better than his less-than-average cooking skills come a year ago “So you’ll have to forgive him if the Alolan-store-bought flavour profiles aren’t a perfect copy of those straight from Kanto” Ash, adequately chastised by her responding logic, looks further away with a bigger pout for lack of a real response.

“Like I said, it’s not bad” He reiterates, causing Burnet to laugh, a carefree sound that’s made even better from the fact Ash prompted it from her after two days away from home, working hard. He likes Burnet’s laugh, especially when he’s the cause of it, just the same as he love’s Kukui’s own chuckles. Ash doesn’t know which of the Professors he hopes the baby gets its laugh from.

Speaking of: “How’s the baby?” Ash asks, Pikachu leaning forward nearly off of his shoulder at this, peering at Burnet’s stomach as if trying to see through it “Do they kick yet?”

Burnet chuckles again, a hand subconsciously moving to cup her lower abdomen. There’s a bump but it’s hardly there, Ash knows he’s been more bloated just from food alone before “No, I’ve got another month or two until that starts happening, thankfully. I’m only at 14 weeks.” She says “They’re barely the size of a sitrus berry right now” She holds up a hand with a parted index finger and thumb to help Ash visualise. He looks back to the little bump. A sitrus berry would hardly fill him food wise, and yet its already having a physical affect on her. How big will she be when the baby’s closer to its due date…

Burnet perhaps reads her mind because she scoffs “Maybe food wasn’t the right simile to use on you” she grins, infectious, and this Ash notices is a mockery of him, so he replies in turn with yet another pout “There’s more that happens than just the baby. The womb isn’t vacuum sealed around them, there’s protective fluids in there and a placenta” She informs, and Ash looks back to her stomach at this as if trying to visualise it, but struggles to. The Professor doesn’t seem to mind his curious staring, though. Ash’s knowledge of pregnancies only extends to that of the Sex Ed class he received just before he left school, and even he's distantly aware there’s more to it all than what 9-years-old him was taught, but he’d rather not think about it, especially in the context of the Professors.

So Ash changes the conversation as they come to Hau’Oli Outskirts’ beach’s wooden walkway that runs parallel to the shoreline over the sand “How was your day at work?”

“Ah” Burnet grins, pleasantly surprised at the question “It was good, we’re all prepping for Lusamine’s departure in efforts to find Mohn, and with my incoming maternity leave the higher branches of the Aether Paradise is going to be a bit more strained” She cups her stomach with both hands and talks downward to it in a more babyish voice “You’ve inherited your great timing from your big brother already, haven’t you.”

Ash tries not to let out how absolutely floored he is by that casually bestowed title. Brother. He’d received plenty of jokes from his friends at school and others that the Professors had practically adopted him. It had always just been him and his mum- later Mimey and all of Ash’s Pokémon- and even then he hasn’t really been settled at home for longer than a couple months at a time for years. He’s a traveller at heart, so settling and having a family doesn’t really work for him as it would for others. He loves his mum, and would never consider replacing her, but he quietly admits to himself that he has started to see the Professors as being a little more to him than mentors. But Professor Burnet put that label on Ash so easily, so flippantly as if it were already obvious. He’s had friends, mentors, people he’s looked up to and been supported by and vice versa with people like Max and Bonnie. But he’s never thought he’d have something more defined. Something that’s more like a family in the traditional sense. Something where they choose him to be a part of that family.

“We’re starting to brainstorm names” Burnet continues, completely unaware of what she’d done to Ash’s state of mind, or at least gracing him with pretence ignorance “We’re not one hundred percent sure if we want a more traditional Alolan name yet, and we don’t even know the sex yet… but we’ve got a long time to decide.” She trails off, and smiles to Ash “Any suggestions?”

Again, only as Ash had just recovered from his emotional whiplash, he’s stunned again. Any suggestions. Naming your child is a big deal, Ash knows that at least, a deal that often only involves the parents. Or siblings Ash’s mind supplies That’s what you are. The baby’s sibling. Burnet wants your opinion on her and Kukui’s child. A name they’ll have forever.

Ash thinks names are a little odd, in the special sense. He’d been Satoshi for all the time he grew up in Kanto. Satoshi to all of his friends and others from the Eastern regions. Ash to the prophecies, Legendries, and all who concerned them. Then Ash to those he met in Unova when Satoshi sounded weird in their Galarian tongue, Ash to those he met in Kalos and Alola. He’s still Satoshi to those he knows from the East, even when they’re speaking Galarian, until they’re talking to people that he's Ash to, but even then it’s a back and forth of using the two interchangeably which would begin to get confusing if he ever bothered to keep track. He’s still and always will be Ash to Legendries, even when they speak to him in Kantonian- even though they never really speak in the traditional sense- and the real distinction between the names has just become blurred. He remembers a small identity crisis about it, though, sometime in Unova, when he still associated the name more heavily with Legends and Myths and when the Gods speak to him. The two names in his mind have merged together in terms of being his, but he still has a distinction between them, pivoted on the first prophecy he received, the first time he realised there might be something more to him.

…lest the earth shall turn to Ash. O Chosen One, into thine hands, bring together all three…

Satoshi is before. Not just before the Shamouti Prophecy, but before all of his extra-extraordinary events happened. His childhood, growing up in Kanto. His oblivion to just how bad things could get, to a time he was still not only amazed by Legendaries, but where he saw it as something that was once in a lifetime. Ash is the Aura Adept, The Chosen, the Special one, the version of himself that knows. The version of himself that is called on again over and over by the gods. He only really feels like Ash is different to Satoshi when he’s Ash. When there’s danger and suddenly has to step up to fulfil his role. He doesn’t know when Satoshi became something separate that he pocketed and protected in those moments, but he’s insistent he has a cheerful happy self to go back to once the serious threats are over. Once he can go back to being a kid, not a divinity. He doesn’t think about this often, he finds, and if anyone asks which name he prefers, he always answers honestly. I really don’t mind! They’re one and the same to me, now.

Perhaps names may have more of a complicated significance to Ash than others, but it’s still significant to people. It’s your first impression, when you share your name, and is a big part of your identity. For Burnet to not only be willing to hear his input on something so important to her child, but to encourage it…

“Ash Ketchum!”

He’s brought out of his head as a voice other than Pikachu, Burnet or his own beckons him, and his head darts up to look ahead.

There’s a group of people he hadn’t noticed earlier further ahead on the beach. It’s a small crowd, no bigger than 20, but a collection of people he doesn’t know nonetheless. The group does not make a move to approach him, but at one of their calls of his name, all of their attentions flit around as they try to find and thus focus on him. They’re stood not that far away from the entrance to Kukui’s house, not close enough to breach the invisible conceptual line of the property, but enough to make it clear they’re standing close to the house, not just on a random spot on the beach that happens to be close to the house. Their placement is purposeful.

They also, upon Ash’s further inspection with their approach, are all carrying equipment. Portable cameras and microphones and notepads are enough to immediately indicate to Ash who these people are. The press. A group of reporters have stationed themselves outside of the Professors house, no doubt in the hopes to catch wind of Ash and interview him. His mind goes out momentarily to Diantha, and how as a dual Champion/Movie star, she seemed to get the most trouble from the press than any of the other Champions he knows. Others seemed to travel around as they pleased, but he remembers Diantha going so far as to don a disguise just to walk the streets of Lumiose city to buy some pastries like a normal person. He wonders where on the spectrum of press-harassment he’ll end up, but it seems logical that as a new Champion of a new League region, he’s going to be dealing with them a lot in at least the near future.

It just hadn’t occurred to him they’d seek him out like this, though. Again, case-in-point with Diantha, but with Alola being much more laid back than Kalos, especially with the added difference of house on the beach verses one of the most populous cities in the world, Ash thought Alola’s attitudes to life would have been reflected in how they approach dealing with celebrities. They’re so in touch with their Kahunas and Deities, after all.

20’s a crowd but not an oppressively large one, so as Burnet and Ash approach the house- and, in turn, them, as they block the way- the noise they generate from their insistence to parse a few answers from Ash is manageable.

Still, he feels Burnet’s mood sour next to him without even accounting for him subconsciously reading her aura, and he becomes acutely aware of how tired she must really be. Sleeping over at Aether Paradise, as nice as it is there, likely doesn’t compare to sleeping in your own bed at home, and she must already be tired from working on top of growing a whole other human being. She likely just wanted to get home and retire for the day, which Ash is definitely not against, himself. So, he’s got to figure out how to politely turn down all of these reporters and get home as quickly as possible, without accidently doing or saying something that will have people incorrectly interpreting him and coming for his head.

“Uh, hey guys” Ash says as he approaches them, a little alarmed by all of the cameras trained on him but wanting at least some control in the inevitable confrontation. They all turn quiet as they wait for him to speak, and it just feels really weird. For them to be waiting with baited breath for what he’ll have to say, as if it’s monumentally important. For them to seek him out so readily. He doesn’t really know how to address reporters- is this live? Who’s going to be seeing this? What’s expected of him? He’s given interviews before, has been on TV and streamed before, but there’s something way more predatory about this, even if there’s nothing they’re doing that’s explicitly threatening. He feels an invisible pressure on him to not make any mistakes, the looming thought of numbers. Twenty-Two Thousand. What would the viewership on this be? So many people going out of their way to hear what he has to say.

Maybe it’s the fact that they’re stationed outside his, the Professors’, house. Not only does it feel a little invasive- and, again, just weird for a bunch of strangers to turn up unannounced for him- but they’re also affecting the Professors. This is their safe place, where they relax after work and sleep and eat. Where they’re starting to build a family. Ash’s popularity is affecting the Professors, and he has a momentary regret towards deciding the settle in Alola for at least the beginning of him being established as the Champion. “Do you guys want something?” He asks, trying not to sound unsure or like a scared child. Smile. People can’t dislike you if you smile and act polite.

Apparently they all indeed want something, because they all begin asking questions over each other- as if that helps any of them, Ash is only able to pick up snippets of what each of them say- and he backtracks on thinking that 20 is a small unimposing crowd. How do they all manage to sound so formal and polite and yet make such a ruckus?

“I- uh- I can’t really hear what any of you are saying” He lifts his hands up and smiles in what he hopes look like a good natured apology. Does he entertain them for a bit so they’re satisfied to let him go into his home with Burnet, or will that just make them greedy for more? The news title New Alolan Champion rudely refuses to answer any questions- is he really fit to be a role model? flashes across his mind, and he makes a split second decision and points to a woman, tanned with sleek black hair pulled into a bun “Uh, you first?”

She looks stunned for a moment over being pointed at and addressed so suddenly. She doesn’t have a microphone like some of the others, but she holds a pen and notebook infront of her and she recollects herself to speak “Champion Ash, what are the Alolan League’s plans for the establishment of the Elite Four and Gym Leaders?” She asks, and although everyone else remains quiet for his answer, the cameras and microphones and eyes pointed at him all feel incredibly loud.

“Uhh…” don’t seem incompetent Ash shuts his mouth with a click and hums before he opens it again to answer, trying not to show how hard his mind is working to come up with a suitable response “I think that’s a question that would be better directed to Professor Kukui” He says, trying to sound collected, and inwardly winces at already having involved Professor Kukui, especially with knowing how busy he is with everything right now. But he honestly has no idea about any of that, and if he had to guess with confidence if anyone did know, it would be the person that established the League in Alola in the first place.

The woman doesn’t get to get in another question before the reporters all begin shouting over each other again in a mix of Alolan and Galarian- which absolutely does not help Ash trying to decipher what they’re saying on an individual basis, despite him thinking it would- and he fights off looking back to Burnet in desperation for help. You’re an adult, you need the press to respect you. Don’t drag her into this, protect her. This is your role now. He feels Pikachu shift uncomfortably on his shoulder, growing antsy too.

He points at someone else, a man this time, tall and lanky and handling a microphone. Surprisingly, the reporters respect his pick and choosing if just off the principle it means Ash is willing to answer questions they can report on, and the man speaks his question into his microphone before he holds it forward to Ash “Champion Ash, would you care to give an explanation as to the Z-Move you and your Pikachu demonstrated during the League?”

Ash doesn’t get to answer that as several of the reporters seem to deem this as an unsatisfactory question and begin shouting their own again. Ash scowls, holding back some sort of scolding about fairness and waiting your turn but the moment passes, and he just fights to pick up on what any of them are saying.

“What is the nature of the battle with Lance? Which Pokémon will you be using?”

Those are questions that are straight forward enough, so Ash tries to zone in on whoever asked it, failing and opting for turning in the general direction he’d heard them come from , as he answers “Oh, the match is a one on one!” the reporters don’t quiet down as much as they had before, but he keeps talking “And Pikachu wants to be the one to battle” He forces a grin as he jostles his shoulder, and Pikachu agrees vocally, although not as chipperly as he would otherwise, also being put off by the crowd.

Answering was a mistake, apparently, as it seems to have just invited everyone to begin asking questions louder and more insistently. Now that it’s clear that Ash is responding to them without the selection he’d try to establish before, and they’re now all insistent and wanting it to be them he speaks to next. Ash panics a little and takes a step back, coincidentally also ending up slightly behind Burnet, who glares at all of the cameras and faces.

“Hey, we’re just trying to get home for supper.” Burnet gives a tight lipped smile to all of the reporters, speaking up for the first time, her hands finding Ash’s back to try and herd him out of the crowd that’s circled them and blocked off their path

“The Champion has yet to give an official interview!” “Will he be staying in Alola and showing responsibilities or is he abandoning the region?”

Ash panics and waves his hands, wanting to shoot that narrative down quickly “Woah, no no! I’m mostly staying in Alola!” He grins, despite how much more uncomfortable he’s growing, and hopes it doesn’t look too much like the grimace it feels like. Burnet’s hand pressing lightly into his back both brings him some semblance of comfort, but also makes him feel more trapped by this whole interaction. that question sounded accusatory “I’ll be visiting different regions a bunch, still, but I’ll still be living with the Professors when I’m not travelling!”

“Speaking of Professor Kukui, what is your official statement on the theories of him rigging and staging the League in your favour?” Ash opens his mouth, not doing anything to mask the highly offended expression on his face, before Burnet steps further in front of Ash, blocking most of the reporter’s view on him “Alright, that’s enough. No comments. When Ash is ready to be interviewed we’ll reach out, not the other way around.” The voices only get louder- is there anything they could do to make them quieter?- and Pikachu bites back his own replies to the questions that Ash won’t be repeating, thankful the reporters and any humans watching won’t hear the creative curses the Pokémon comes up with. Burnet finally gets to pushing Ash through, and they make their way to the house, thankful that the reporters for the most part stay where they are on the beach, perhaps fearing for legal retaliation if they get too close to the house.

The door opens before they even make it to the porch, Kukui’s apologetic face meeting them “I’m sorry, I tried to shoo them away earlier. I debated storming out there just now, too” He says, supported by the fact he was clearly waiting at the door for them, and the agitated expression on his face. Still, he kisses Burnet briefly as she walks past him to enter the household, muttering a quiet “Alola Ku`u Lei” to her as she passes, and places a hand on Ash’s shoulder as he ushers him in, shutting the door firmly behind them.

Despite it all, dinner is good (Ash tells Kukui great though, and he doesn’t miss Burnet’s cheeky knowing grin that she hides around her fork) and he still goes about his nightly routine, brushing, preening and polishing his Pokémon. He refuses to check his phone as he lies in bed, but Ash’s mind is still plagued by numbers and names and faceless crowds as he goes to sleep, a distant dread sitting in him.

Chapter Text

Ash wakes to a quiet rumbling at his bedside, his duvet contorted and knotted about him, such a disgrace of his bedding a telltale sign he’d slept fitfully. He has to fight against it to free a hand to wipe the sleep from his eyes, and he takes note of how disorientated he feels. He did not have a very restful sleep. Although his dreams’ details already escape him, he feels drained enough to infer it was lucid enough to drain him, and restless enough to suggest the contents weren’t exactly peaceful. You’re stressed, his logic tells him. You’re internalising it, dealing with it by yourself and letting your thoughts and feelings spiral. You need to either put a stop to the source- which is near impossible- or talk to someone about it.

Just because Ash is mature enough to recognise his problems doesn’t mean he’s mature enough to do what’s needed to rid of them, not when it requires something he doesn’t want to do. I’m a carefree guy, he kids himself, I’ve never had to talk my problems through in the past, and look how far that’s gotten me. It’s fine. In time this too shall pass.

Mature enough to know…

Ash turns his head to the side as he draws a deep, groggy breath, trying to pull his mind back to wakefulness. The truth that once he’s awake, he can’t fall back to sleep again does not extend to meaning once he’s awake he’s immediately fully cognitive. He fights once more against the duvet, attempting to kick its unforgiving grip off from his legs, taking care not to send a heel into Pikachu who’s still precariously asleep beside him, curled up on the bare mattress since Ash had monopolised all of the duvets and blankets in his slumber. The Pokémon’s fine, the house’s more than warm enough in the night. It’s just Ash that prefers to be as warm and sheltered as possible when he sleeps.

He turns to his other side and is shocked to see at some point in the night Incineroar had apparently climbed the loft ladder and was now curled up- as much as his anthropomorphic anatomy would allow him- on the floor, purring. That’s what the rumbling was, Ash realises. His purring had become much deeper and gravellier since he evolved from a Litten, and Ash almost didn’t recognise it.

What was Incineroar doing up here? From his position, it looks like he’d at first been leant up against Ash’s bed, as if he wanted to be as close to his Trainer as possible without actually climbing into the bed. Gods know it hardly contains Ash and Pikachu with all of his nighttime movement. Instead, at some point in the night, Incineroar had ended up sprawled entirely on the floor.

Had the Pokémon been struggling to sleep? Not long after Stoutland had passed, Litten would often find himself unable to sleep unless he was with Ash. It pained the Trainer, to know it probably meant Litten was scared of losing Ash in his sleep, too. That the young Pokémon needed to make sure Ash was okay before he could get some rest, that they were there to protect each other.

But who was Incineroar seeking out Ash’s company for? For Pokémon or for Trainer? Ash does not know which he’d prefer. If it was for Incineroar’s sake then he’d be worried for his Pokémon, that something’s troubling him that he hasn’t talked to Ash about yet. However, what would the alternative mean? That his fitful sleep was disruptive enough to alert the Pokémon from downstairs, enough to wake him up and make him deem it necessary to climb up to the loft and stay with him?

Feline Pokémon with the ability to purr are said to be able to promote calmness and healing in those they purr to. Is Incineroar trying to heal and calm Ash? Does he think he needs it?

Ash does not wake the Pokémon, telling himself it’s so Incineroar can get some proper sleep after it was interrupted in the night- not because he doesn’t want to get interrogated by the Pokémon. It’s upheld the same audacity as it had as a Litten and Torracat, coupled with becoming more mature and caring towards others, Ash feared it may not take his silence for an acceptable answer.

Ash instead reaches for RotomPhone, and gently shushes it before it can begin speaking and wake up the others- grateful that it obeys, then immediately is hit with a wave of guilt. that’s a Pokémon. A Pokémon with thoughts and feelings, not just a phone. Is it really right to have it enslaved like this? Is it really the Pokémon’s choice, or had it been manipulated?

Ash opens the news app in hopes for a distraction.

The immediate distraction presented- the current top article for Alola- is hardly preferable to the alternative. The title alone, catching Ash’s attention, is enough to build up another well of unease within the Trainer.

‘Alola’s Champion Ash Ketchum refuses to give a statement regarding the rumoured rigging of the Alola League! Could it be that they’re right...?’

As far as he can tell it’s not posted by any Alolan news company, and Ash doesn’t even recognise the name of the journalist- but he fears if anything, that makes things worse. Ash’d assumed the reporters yesterday afternoon were Alolan; if not for most of them speaking the language, then simply from the fact they were in Alola. But of course, journalists travel, don’t they? There’s nothing stopping overseas reporters from making their way to Alola. Reporters with more experience interviewing Champions and international celebrities. Reporters from more cut-throat cultures than Alola’s laid-back, community-driven one.

Ash knows he should not pardon the thought that no one in Alola could be more… cruel regarding how they approach interviews and celebrities. However, it would make sense why so many of them yesterday were so insistent, so accusational, and so unlike the people and reporters he’d met in Alola before.

He clicks on the article. It is shorter than he expected:

‘Press caught Ash Ketchum, accompanied by Professor Kukui’s wife, Professor Burnet, for questions on Wednesday afternoon. After answering several, Burnet stepped in to interrupt Ash’s response to a question on the rigging of the Alolan league, refusing to let him respond, issuing a ‘no comment’ on his behalf. Could it be she is aiding her husband in trying to hide the rigging of the league? Professor Kukui had also been trying to remove the reporters from the premises prior to Ash’s arrival, and he himself had refused to comment on the matter…

Ash had also evaded questions regarding the establishment of an Elite Four and Gyms in Alola. People are speculating what his plans are, whether he is fit to be Alola’s Champion, and whether he has the region’s right intentions at heart. Although many claim he is a good respective of Alola’s culture, there is uncertainty surrounding him as a foreigner, and whether- if the theory of rigging is true and he’s a plant- he really will continue to respect it.

What plans does he have for Alola? Will he push to abolish the Island Trials and its traditions for a Gym System, just as Professor Kukui once had? Will he remove the power of the Kahunas and replace them with an Elite Four? Would the Tapu let him? How will he select Gym Leaders and Elite Four members? Are more of them going to be foreign? Is Alola losing control of its cultures in favour of the League? There are so many questions, and the uncertainty only serves to raise Alolans’ hostility towards Ash. Can they really put their faith in him? Has he proved himself enough to be respected as a Champion?

Click on the link below to continue reading on Alola and Ash Ketchum’s Emergence into the International League , including controversies, theories and reliable fact-based reporting.’

Ash frowns, chewing on his lower lip as he rereads the article. It was one thing for a few separate individuals to voice their doubts surrounding Ash, but this appears to be an at least somewhat credible source, considering the article’s popularity. Is this… really what people think of him? Even if not most people, it still means there’s a somewhat sizeable group of people who do. Are any of them people he knows? Alolans he’s come across or helped over his time here? Friends made in the past from other Regions?

The idea hurts much more than it being anonymous, faceless figures- people who’ve never met him, who’ve never had the chance to form their own opinions of him without the words of others whispered into their ears. If he walks down the street to Hau’Oli, would he pass some of them? People tweeting their unsavoury opinions of him, people who read and believe these articles, people who talk amongst themselves and spread rumours and dissatisfaction?

These people exist. They think Ash wishes ill for Alola, or that he did not win the League fairly, or that he only did because he was a foreigner or a trained placement from the League. They continue to drag Professor Kukui into Ash’s public mess, too. It fills him with a sad sort of anger. It not only drives him to prove them wrong- he hates it when people perceive him wrongly, unjustly- but it stirs a deeper anger that such rumours have spread so far, so quickly in the first place. The ‘proof’ they speak of is coincidence, something that could be explained away if only they just believed him.

Ash glances to Pikachu, watching his chest rise and fall with each puff of breath. He allows himself a moment to calm down, to match the rhythm of his partner’s breathing, to reassure himself that Pikachu is still asleep- that he’s not sensing any of Ash’s peaking frustrations through their bond. Pikachu exudes calmness, and that reassures Ash that he is in a pleasant, dreamless sleep.

He turns to Incineroar, listens to the rattling hum of his purr, and the way his face settles in a light scowl in his sleep, mouth parted slightly to reveal his carnivorously sharp teeth. He, too, is asleep, and won’t wake without an interruption.

Ash looks back to his phone, and clicks on the link that was presented at the bottom of the article. It leads to a second one, written by the same journalist, its title glaring back at Ash with the same big, bold lettering as the previous:

‘Comprehensive Article of the Evidence of the Rigging of the Alolan League and Ash Ketchum’s League Placement.’

Not even presented as a debate. Evidence, it says- as though the idea is not only not ridiculous, but the most reasonable conclusion to draw.

Did the other Champions ever had to deal with this? Was Lance, Kantonian-raised, ever suspected of being a placement when he became Johto’s Champion? Was he ever criticised for the like reason, being Johtan-born, when he became Kanto’s Champion? What about people suspecting Steven Stone buying his way to the top with such an influential lineage? Or controversies surrounding Diantha, whose time was split so harshly between Champion duties and acting stardom?

Ash surely isn’t the only one to have faced this.

But was it ever this bad for them?

The rigging of the Alolan League has been a controversial conspiracy that has been spreading rapidly across Social Media since even the preliminaries of the Mahalo conference- and especially since Ash Ketchum, hailing from Pallet Town in Kanto, won the League and became Alola’s first Champion.

These are not the only controversies surrounding Alola’s first League. Some extremists online claim that Alola is not yet ready to be integrated into the League on claims of there not being strong or plentiful enough Trainers from the region. Unlike many other League Regions before they became League Regions, Alola was not internationally recognised as a competent battling Region. It is known for tourism and its rich integrated culture.

Following this, those from Alola fear that the introduction of the League is going to remove their culture and take a monopoly over Z-Crystals , fearing that the League is up to something nefarious regarding introducing Alola as a League region. Many others are also frustrated that Paldea, regarded the most battle-proficient current non-League region, was not the next contester for the League as was largely rumoured.

But the one controversy that has gained the most traction is indeed the rumoured Rigging of the Alolan League. Diehard League critics and whistleblowers have been for years suspecting that the League is staged or rigged in other Regions- but with little evidence and the high popularity of Champions, such theories have never gained much traction outside of extremist online circles.

However, the Alola League seems to have put a spotlight on these theories, with many Alolans and others alike agreeing vehemently and starting online arguments on the matter, shifting overall global attitudes towards the League.

This is because the theories revolving around Rigging in the Alolan League have a lot more credibility, with ‘coincidences’ backing up the claims. All of these coincidences centre around Ash Ketchum, the current Champion, and Professor Kukui, the Regional Professor and founder of the Alolan League. Let’s break down the evidence supporting the rigging of the League.

Ash and Kukui’s relationship:

Ash first visited Alola at the end of last year’s summer- originally a tourist- and had joined Melemele’s Pokémon School and boarded with Professor Kukui- the teacher of his class. Kukui and Ash are undeniably very close- with several credible individuals who are close to them both claiming their relationship is even akin to that of a father and son. This alone would be enough to make anyone suspicious. The founder of the Alolan League’s son won?

Professor Kukui’s controversies:

Ash frowns at the next paragraph. Although technically not containing anything he’s never heard before in some capacity, he’s never seen it laid out so surgically bare before. It feels… uncomfortable, to read it, looking into aspects of Kukui’s past without his awareness- especially with the article’s underlying tone of disapproval.

The Professor has not always been in the Alolan public’s good books. Once with the goal of becoming a Kahuna- training under Kahuna Hala’s wing alongside (Former?) Team Skull Leader, Guzma. Controversies surrounding Kukui began after he fled Alola soon after Guzma renounced any respect towards Alolan culture and Z-Moves, as the now-Professor trained and learned the foreign customs of battle abroad.

When he’d returned, he’d insistently urged the Kahunas to lift the restrictions on who could take the Island Challenge, to make it open to anyone from any region- suggesting they replace the Trials for Gyms to help qualify Alola for becoming a League Region.

This was seen as an insult to Alolan Culture, and Kukui had to work hard to rebuild his respect and reputation, especially to become the Regional Professor. This controversy, however, was brought back to light when the theories he wished to establish a League within Alola first re-emerged. This was worsened by the fact he was boarding a Kantonian, and considering the rumours arose soon after a class trip to Kanto. This renewed fears that Kukui was once again trying to reduce Alola’s rich culture.

Ash Ketchum is a League plant:

Ash Ketchum is a good fit for Alola’s first time Champion- skilled, likeable, and despite not being Alolan himself, respects and practices the region’s culture. Many argue that he’s too good of a fit.

Ash is stuck between the urge to frown and roll his eyes. People seem completely unable to pick a side in terms of what they dislike about him, and it’s only made to be more frustrating by the fact both extremes are still wrong.

Outside of his connections with Kukui, who could easily pull strings to ensure Ash won the League, Ash seems to have networked tremendously well before coming to Alola. Ash has travelled through and competed in all the Leagues sans Galar’s, at just the age of 17, and so it is understandable he would be a great battler- despite how so many claim his battles are staged.

Even if Kukui was assumed to be innocent, Ash has many connections to League Associates abroad. He’s noted to have travelled with several Gym Leaders, and is even well acquainted with many Champions- most notably Wataru/Lance of Kanto and Johto, Shirona/Cynthia of Sinnoh, and having travelled across Unova with the Now-Champion, Iris. It is also noted that Ash is the only confirmed Non-Alolan to pass the preliminaries of the Mahalo Conference.

The only real argument for Ash not being a League plant is Tapu Koko’s supposed fondness for the Trainer. However, this could be explained by Ash simply being proficient at battling, and not as a showcase of his legitimacy, although many would see raising this point as disrespectful to the deity.

Ash is a good Trainer, regardless of the claims you believe, and whether you think of him as Champion-worthy. Trained well- perhaps even under other Champions’ or League Associates’ wings- to be sent to Alola to ensure the first League is won by one of their own. Is the League trying to take control of Alola’s politics? What are their plans? Is the region rich in resources, untapped energy from Z-Power? (click this link for an article on the League establishing themselves in Galar and Kalos to access their lands’ resources and energy reserves)

Ash places RotomPhone on his side table and runs two hands down his face, letting out a deep, heavy sigh. He doesn’t like this. He doesn’t like how he’s faced much more fearful foes than a few strangers’ opinions, and yet somehow this is the thing that’s managed to get under his skin more effectively than anything else in months.

Ash tends to not care about what people say about him- unless they’re harming someone close to him, or unless their words are insultingly wrong. Somehow, within the span of less than a week, most major media outlets have unanimously agreed to only splurge out content specifically on those two things.

He's really craving a fresh start, right about now.

“Pi…”

Ash lifts his head, belatedly realising he’d dropped it into his hands in his lamenting, and looks to the side to see a very groggy but concerned Pikachu, only one eye open as he wobbles unevenly over. He paws at Ash’s pyjama shorts. “Pika…”

Ash just raises a loosely curled hand up to press a finger to his mouth in a silent shhh, notching his head toward the other side of the bed. He watches Pikachu squint- clearly just woken and still dazzed- as he trods over the tangled bedsheets towards the edge of the bed.

There’s a soft hum from the Pokémon as he acknowledges Incineroar, still asleep and purring on the floor. Pikachu looks back and nods at Ash to show he understands to stay quiet.

Neither of them make any moves to get out of bed. Although Ash keeps his eyes trained forwards on the middle distance, he can feel Pikachu watching him- concern peeking through a confusion that is whittled away by growing lucidity as he fully wakes up. Pikachu seems to reach a conclusion, and he pads over to Ash and clambers carefully into his lap, lying down on Ash’s chest so that his head tucks under the human’s chin.

“Pika” He whispers, although it’s barely even a noise. ’You didn’t sleep well?’

Ash shakes his head No, but it’s fine.

Pikachu hums again, somewhat unsatisfied, but he doesn’t press the issue in that moment. He just seems to enjoy his partner’s heat as he nuzzles closer and melts into Ash’s hold. He raises a hand to absentmindedly run down Pikachu’s back, smoothing the sleep-mussed fur and calming himself with the repetition of the action. Pikachu lets out a contented “Chaa,” clearly soothed by the action as well.

They stay like that for a while and although it calms Ash down, it doesn’t exactly cheer him up. He feels like he’s in some odd emotional limbo- detached from everything around him, yet still too tethered to it all. He just wants to sever everything, for once. Have a break.

But he can’t even do what he usually does when he gets cabin fever- move to a new region with new people, new Pokémon and new challenges that don’t know him, yet. Everyone knows him now, or at least that vast majority do, and the rest will soon follow.

It’s moments like this that force him to actually think about these aspects of himself- that he actually feels the weight of his past on his back. He’s tired. Tired of being singled out. Tired of others deeming there’s something more to him. Tired of them being right. Why can’t he be no more special than any other Champion? Hardly a week in and already every news outlet on the planet seems to be trying to rip him apart in hopes of finding something more underneath to gouge out and display to the world. Why is it always him?

Pikachu nuzzles into Ash again- more firmly this time- and faint sparks crackle from his cheeks. It’s hardly visible, more static than full-out electricity, but it’s enough to bring Ash back into the present. He sighs and resumes stroking Pikachu’s back, unaware he’d even stopped.

Just focus on the now. Focus on today, on where you are. You’re visiting your friends with Misty, today. You’re going to Kahuna Hala’s in two days with Professor Kukui. You get to have an awesome battle with Lance the day after. Nothing’s really changed. People you don’t know just see you a little differently, is all. You know stuff like this is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, so why are you letting it get to you?

Ash pats Pikachu’s back twice to signal that he’s getting up. Pikachu shifts slightly, acknowledging the warning, but doesn’t move off of him. Ash scoops an arm around the bottom of Pikachu to take his weight as he sits more upright, then scoots somewhat awkwardly to the end of the bed so he can stand up without trodding on Incineroar.

Once he’s standing Pikachu gives him one last affection nuzzle before jumping softly to the wooden flooring of the loft room. Pikachu glances down the ladder then back up to him. Ash nods back to his partner- not really conveying anything specific besides an affirmation that he’s present. He’s fine. He will be.

When Ash drops down the ladder- more roughly than he intended to- his mood shifts once he’s presented with what’s in the living room. Well, rather a who than a what. A familiar Dragonite turns around at the noise Ash makes as he skips the last few rungs and lands barefoot with a thud. She makes an intrigued noise- a high pitched distorted whine of curiosity. Ash stares back at her, equally wide-eyed, as she trots over to him.

“Pika-chu” his partner calls as he jumps down from the loft to Ash’s shoulder and then up to his head, paws gripping Ash’s sleep-tousled hair- exposed with the absence of his cap. Pikachu leans forward, still having to look up to meet Dragonite’s eyes, and the Psudeo-Legendary grins at the other Pokémon, wings fluttering behind her in glee “Drahhh” She trills happily, pleased to see them and now recognising Ash.

That’s Lance’s Dragonite. Even excluding the familiarity he has with her, there’re only so many Dragonite Trainers- a Pokémon not even native to Alola, might he add- that would be in the Professors’ house at this hour. Meaning: Lance is also in the house. But he’s not in the living room, nor are the rest of Ash’s Pokémon- likely awoken from the Champion coming in through the door, or the Dragonite rousing them to have someone to talk and play with.

As Ash peers into the kitchen to try and find the Champion, he instead catches sight of Melmetal, unsupervised, fighting Rowlet for a half-eaten frying pan. Lycanroc’s sitting to the side, tail sweeping happily across the floor as he watches them. Ash determines that to be a lost cause, as he is already too mentally exhausted to deal with the squabbling, and files it away as something to deal with later.

He turns back to Dragonite “Is Wataru here?” he asks. She smiles wide and nods once in a large arc. “Where is he?” Ash continues. Dragonite turns and points towards the stairs that lead to the basement- where the Professors’ lab is. Ash nods his thanks to Dragonite, heading that way and patting her affectionately as he passes. She makes a pleased noise before heading back over to converse with those of Ash’s Pokémon that remain downstairs.

Once Ash starts descending to the basement, he immediately hears Professor Kukui and Lance’s voices- and catches the tail end of their conversation.

“-just frustrating” That’s Kukui’s voice. He sounds tired, but not groggy- worn “Because I know without a seed of doubt that they’re all wrong, but there’s nothing I can do to make them believe me.” Ash pauses in his decent, arm braced against the wall, breath caught in his throat. What is he walking in on? Their voices are hushed, and it doesn’t sound like a jovial conversation.

“I know” Lance sympathises, but he too sounds displeased- though not at Professor Kukui, at least not entirely “It’s a tricky situation- one that the other Champions and I wish to aid in, but I fear that could only make matters worse.”

“They’re saying the League planted him.” Kukui gasps out, angry on Ash’s behalf. Ash stands as still as possible. They’re talking about you, they’re talking about the press. “I just-” there’s a pause, and Ash can imagine the Professor running a hand over his face as he does when he’s frustrated. He’s been doing that more and more since the League.

Since you became Champion. It’s your fault.

“He’s my kid, Lance.” Kukui says, sounding like his voice is on the edge of breaking “I hate the tabloids talking about him like some sort of tool, like he’s just an agenda.”

Ash’s hand clenches into a fist from where it’s propped up against the wall. My kid. Despite the warmth that blooms in Ash’s chest at that, something uglier twists at him from under it. Kid. Kid. He thinks you need parenting, protection. Ash is an adult, he has been for a long time, he doesn’t need others to jeopardise themselves for his sake. Especially not Kukui, not after all he’s done for Ash over the last year.

“All we can do is be there for him” Lance assures. His voice is calm, but it comes across almost detached- at least compared to how emotionally strained Kukui sounds. “I’ll admit the press is being… less kind than usual, but it will pass. News agencies are jumping on the next big thing trying to stir up drama they can monetise. He just has to prove himself, which I know he will.”

“What if he slips up?” Kukui’s voice is near heartbroken, and Ash feels Pikachu look up at him from his shoulder through the corner of his eye, voicelessly telling him not to read into it too much and take Kukui’s words the wrong way.

For as well as his partner knows him, he should also know Ash will not listen to his silent instruction. He doesn’t think you’re competent enough.

“They’re unforgiving, Lance.” Kukui continues “They insist he’s too perfect to be legitimate, and then when he reacts humanly to a bunch of reporters bombarding him with accusations, they change up and insist he’s not good enough. Or that it’s more proof that he’s just the perfect plant- which then doesn’t make sense-” Kukui’s rambling cuts off suddenly, likely interrupted by Lance. Ash forces himself to breathe again before he passes out. He feels like he’s drowning- a sensation he’s not fond of.

“When we battle, if he loses people will accuse him of being unfit for Championship and if he wins they’ll claim it was staged.” Lance says matter-of-factly, and Ash fears he’s losing half of the message in being unable to see them- their postures and their expressions. The Aura coming off of them is warbled, harder to read, Ash’s bad sleep and internal conflict skewing his perception of them. They’re tense, though; he can tell, even just from their tones of voice both are uncomfortable with this conversation, both are frustrated

“However- I know he will battle well. It will be close. Even if the battle were staged, or if he loses, people would be able to see he is strong. I have the announcement of Mega Evolution being introduced to the Johto League lined up to alleviate some of the media attention and scrutinisation off him. Ash just needs time. People will come to respect him. This will pass.”

“What if Ash wants to step down before that happens?” Kukui asks, and Ash continues to feel Pikachu shift on his shoulder, growing antsy and uncomfortable with their snooping- with Ash overhearing all of this. He feels Pikachu’s urge to protect him, to do what he thinks is best for his Trainer. Don’t he tries to tell Pikachu through his posture, his eyes, his Aura. Just let me listen for a bit longer.

“Then that is within his right” Lance replies bluntly, and Ash feels Kukui flinch at that, and he’s quick to refute “But his reputation…” “Would remain tainted, yes. But it is not within our rights to prevent a Champion from stepping down- especially not Ash, given the position he’s in. Besides, that would only prove them all right, wouldn’t it? That we’ve placed Ash, if we won’t allow him to forfeit his title?”

“Do you think he’d step down?” Kukui asks. Lance hesitates “I don’t think so.” Apprehension. His voice doesn’t betray it, but Ash can feel it. Lance does not have full faith in him “But I would not blame him if he did. Still- and I know this does not help the placement theories- I do think that if anyone was overdue being a Champion, it’s Ash. He is fit for the role. He will be. He just needs some time to grow into it.”

Ash feels Pikachu shifting on his shoulder again, hind legs bending as if preparing to jump. He sharply raises a hand hold it in front of the Pokémon to prevent him from moving. It of course wouldn’t actually physically stop Pikachu from jumping down if he wanted to, but it’s a tangible barrier, a command. Please Ash begs him I need to know what they truly think of me.

Pikachu scowls at him, impatient with his Trainer’s insecurities They tell you all the time Ash senses Pikachu’s response, snarky and high-strung Can the Aura Adept suddenly no longer tell when people are being genuine?

Ash scowls in return, bitter. Pikachu’s gaze remains unchanged, but his Aura betrays small flickers of guilt at the low blow. Ash’s detection of such only serves to prove Pikachu right, however, and it makes him scowl harder in retaliation. His Pokémon doesn’t need to be an Aura Adept to read Ash right back, though, and he turns to face forwards again, silently starting his own timer on how long he’ll allow Ash’s childish resistance.

He hears his name again and tunes back into the adults’ conversation. Lance’s tone is growing harsher, more insistent, as he articulates his words with growing authority “-and you must ensure he’s fully educated on what being a Champion of the modern League entails. I will not tolerate otherwise. There’s more to it than he realises, there’s politics-”

“I don’t want to overwhelm him more than he already is.” Kukui bites back, sharp with concern and protectiveness. Incompetent, Incompetent, Incompetent.

“He is an adult, he has a right to know.” Even if Lance is advocating Ash’s opinions on the matter, both the Professor and the Champion are still on his side- just apparently taking different stances. I don’t want you fighting. I don’t want you talking to Kukui like that. I don’t want you talking to Wataru like that. Their conversation has made the shift from just being tense to the beginning of an argument, both men’s words more clipped.

“You are already overwhelmed as it is, Professor,” Lance continues “I do not want you to make mistakes because of it. You are supposed to help Ash avoid making mistakes, not make your own that could cost him.”

The Professor would almost sound pleading, if not for the desperate firmness in his tone “Peta is working with me- I- listen, it’s fine.” Who is Peta? “It’s the summer holidays, I do not have to worry too much about school work, and my class size the following year is small. This is just replacing the work that I would have been doing anyways.”

Ash’s always seen Lance as a very composed individual- someone well practiced in dealing with difficult people, be it the press or targets of the G-Men. Even though talking to Kukui should be no different, Ash can hear the frustrated huff Lance lets out. This is affecting him.

“You are avoiding my point, Professor. Ash trusts you. I need you to be there for him, for you to be someone he can talk to. People are going to find out about-“ Lance’s voice falters as he hesitates and it distracts Ash until he realises it’s too late, feeling a spike of determination from his side too late as Pikachu’s weight shifts suddenly-

“He needs to tell you that he’s-“

“Pikachu!”

Pikachu suddenly bounds off Ash’s shoulder, his tone of voice betraying nothing. He sounds as carefree as ever and excited to see the two as he bounds down the stairs. Ash mutters a curse of unknown origin under his breath and races down the stairs after his partner, erasing any hint of an expression that could betray he was eavesdropping from his face. “Alola, guys!” He greets cheerfully as he comes into view of them, mimicking Pikachu in playing everything off. “Dragonite said you were down here.”

He struggles to maintain his composure when he finally looks at the adults’ faces. Kukui looks exhausted, his hair is out of his bun, a mess, and he’s still in his sleep shorts, topless. For a second he fails to hide the fatigue in his eyes, too, only quickly covering them with a faux smile once he sees Ash. But even then, it’s clear through his eyes how conflicted and at unease he is.

Lance is far more presentable, in similar attire to two days ago sans the cape, and has a hand covering his mouth, looking guilty. He was going to say something, something Ash would not want him to, or not want to hear. What was it? What did Pikachu interrupt? Lance drops his hand and smiles curtly, suspicion seeping off him, not as easily fooled by Ash’s acting.

“Ash, you’re awake” Kukui smiles at him, and he easily smiles back. Pikachu, from where he’s stood at Kukui’s feet, sends a glare Lance’s way, and the Champion startles from the loaded look, and turns to Ash too “We were just discussing the set up for the battle grounds on Sunday.”

No you weren’t Ash’s mind grits out You’re lying, you don’t trust me enough to talk to me “Oh really? What about it? Isn’t it at the Pokémon school?”

Kukui nods, crossing his arms over his chest to stop himself from fidgeting “It is, we were just debating how to implement safety force-fields for the audience after Lance had a request.” Nothing about Kukui betrays that he’s lying, which suggests to Ash that they at least had been discussing that at some point. Either that, or Pikachu’s snark about his aura reading ability held more credit than either of them thought. Am I getting worse?

At Ash’s lack of response, Kukui continues, turning slightly to include Lance in the discussion “Since the audience is standing at ground level with only the slightest slope, Lance pointed out that that would increase the potential airspace of the battle, and suggested we install the forcefields unconventially” Kukui says, and it becomes more likely that they really had been talking about that, at some point. Or, Kukui has become both a magnificent liar and improviser overnight. Kukui’s lying skills are as bad as the Professor thinks Ash’s are.

Lance nods along in agreement, eyes flicking briefly to Kukui’s before resettling on Ash. It was a loaded look, but if Ash weren’t just eavesdropping it would have meant nothing to him “I requested we had a forcefield around the audience, rather than around the battlefield. Like Kukui said, that would increase the airspace- meaning our Pokémon could battle directly over the heads of the audience, which would not only make things more interesting, but would increase visibility opportunities for those further back in the audience.”

Ash nods along, and fights to figure out how to move his tongue correctly again. you haven’t forgotten how to speak Galarian, pull yourself together “Yup, that sounds good! Don’t think it’s giving you guys an advantage though, we’re not afraid of arial battlers, are we buddy?” He addresses to Pikachu, mildly aware that it’s a cop out to get the attention off him for even just a second, feeling suffocated by the weight of the conversation they’d interrupted laying stagnant in the room’s charged air.

Pikachu, a better actor than him- and that’s saying something- betrays none of his previous infuriation towards Ash’s attitude, and just grins, affirming a cute “Aaa!” It serves to succeed in distracting the adults for a second, but then Pikachu runs back to Ash and returns to his shoulder. Can’t use me to divert attention if I’m this close.

Whose side are you on, here?

“Wonderful, there was also the matter of personal force fields.” Kukui turns to Lance again as he says this, and Ash feels a distant uncomfortable desperation come off the Professor. He’s avoiding addressing the conversation he’d just had and is uncomfortable. He was frustrated and suddenly had to switch demeanour, he’s relying on Lance but doesn’t like it. Ash wonders how much of what he infers is him reading too much into things and making stuff up. He knows he’s always worse when he himself is antsy and emotionally raw.

Lance seems to be better at the whole act though, whether that’s a good or a bad thing, and just nods along, a neutral but present expression on his face. He betrays nothing, but isn’t closed off, either. He’s practiced. “Although forcefields to protect audiences of League Officiated battles are required by law, the same is not said for personal forcefields for those battling so long as they are informed. They’re only really implemented in League Finals Battlefields, and we feel as if it would be a little overkill for a 1-on-1 battle in what’s essentially a school playground, but there’s the matter of attacks coming from the audience.”

Ash considers this and frowns “Forcefields work two ways though, right? To prevent audience Pokémon from interfering with the match.”

Kukui nods “But League Battlefields are typically detached from the stalls. Battle forcefields only stop Pokémon attacks, anyone can still move freely through them. The detachment deters or even prevents most Pokémon from jumping out of the stalls and onto the battlefield, and from attacking the Trainers and Pokémon”

“We will not be detached from the audience.” Lance continues “There will be a makeshift barrier, and some guards along this barrier, but there is less protection for us. However, I believe it will be fine” At this, Kukui glances at Lance with a heavy, accusatory glare, and Ash wonders if this is how they started their pseudo-argument.

“The Guards lining the audience closest to us will have Psychic Pokémon with the ability to install emergency barriers just in case, as well. I highly doubt anyone will try to interfere with the battle and attack us directly, however, and we can tell the public we have personal forcefields anyways as a further deterrent.” Lance’s expression reveals far less than Kukui, who when beside the Champion appears far more twitchy.

“Besides, the Mahalo Stadium did not have personal forcefields, for it was unknown whether it would interfere with the performance of Z-Moves, considering the need for energy to transfer through the forcefield.”

Ash frowns, distracted by that “It works for Mega Evolution, though?” He frowns, and again Kukui sends a glare Lance’s way that the Champion ignores “Less formal research has been done on Z-Moves than Mega Evolution outside of Professor Kukui’s own research, which did not betray whether they would work through forcefields” Ash heard the silent dig at the Professor in this. He thought they got along.

Has he been proven naïve, again? Childish? He’s supposed to be good at this, reading other people. “Like Kukui said, forcefields prevent Pokémon moves. To put it clumsily, Mega Evolution requires a transfer of evolutionary power, whereas Z-Moves require a transfer of Pokémon moves’ power, which is what the forcefields prevent, hence the uncertainty.”

Ash frowns, and begins slowly “Right so… no forcefields then?”

“That was the same conclusion we reached” Lance nods, politely, and although he does not send a look Kukui’s way, Ash can feel it. That was the conclusion Lance reached, a conclusion that Kukui refuted, and a refute that has just been shut down by Ash agreeing with Lance. Lance has silenced the argument through Ash “So long as you agree to it, then we won’t have any personal forcefields, but some psychic Pokémon on stand-by.”

Ash subtly glances Kukui’s way again, who’s staring vehemently at neither of them, a frown on his face. Ash is upsetting him, he doesn’t like this polarisation, the unspoken charge in the air from a quickly aborted argument. An argument, Ash reminds himself, he’s not supposed to know about, so he plasters a big happy smile on his face and nods one, sure “Yeah! Sounds good. I’ve been in plenty battles without any forcefields, anyways, so all’s good.”

Kukui’s shoulders drop, a mix of being disheartened, exhaustion, and acceptance that it’s finally over, and he forces another smile on his face as he looks at Ash “How about you go get ready and Lance and I’ll join you for breakfast?”

Ash glances briefly between the two men before he smiles and nods, turning around and walking back up the stairs, his expression dropping into a displeased contemplative frown once he’s out of their sight.

It wasn’t super early- only eight thirty- but that doesn’t explain why Lance was here. It clearly wasn’t planned, with Professor Kukui still being in his sleepwear, and with Professor Burnet presumably still in their bedroom. Had Lance come over just to argue? Is something wrong- something urgent? What aren’t they telling him? Why aren’t they telling him? If it wasn’t urgent, was Lance here so early in the hopes to speak to Kukui privately- without Ash?

This morning is proving not to be a good start to his day. A bad sleep, angsty anxiety lit through doomscrolling conspiracy threads revolving around him, and eavesdropping on a tense conversation about said conspiracy threads revolving around him from two of the adults he trusts most in the world right now.

As he ascends the stairs, he finds Incineroar had woken up and joined the rest of the Pokémon. By ‘joined’, he means grasping onto one of Melmetals’ great arms, Lance’s Dragonite taking the other, to hold the Pokémon back from scavenging for more metallic food. Lycanroc and Rowlet are doing their parts by defending the drawers and barking their attempts at persuasive deterants at Melmetal, with the former having the half-eaten frying pan from earlier grasped in his maw. Honestly, it’s a miracle none of the humans heard the commotion from downstairs, the tenseness in the room perhaps being thick enough to insulate the basement from any noise.

“Hey! Hey! What’s going on!” He yells as he heads into the kitchen to break apart the commotion, Pikachu jumping off of his shoulder to join the smaller Pokémon as Ash speeds around to the front of Melmetal to push back from its chest “Melmetal! You act like we don’t feed you!”

The Pokémon’s voice warbles sadly, a little hoarse as it tries to force past Incineroar, Dragonite, and now Ash’s restraints “Me-tal! Tal!”

“Buddy I know you like the frying pans, but we need those to cook! We’ve still got some of your feeding metal- I’m sure! Our last import wasn’t that long ago.” The Islands are good at recycling used resources, sending the rest to local Trubbish and Garbodo owners or wild Pokémon. But scrap metal disposal had always been a problem to the island- until Ash had turned around not long ago and asked companies to donate their scrap leftovers for his newly caught Meltan that was adamant on eating their kitchenware. The companies had been pleased to, against the alternative of having to pay for their disposal and recycling.

But the Pokémon just thrashes, shaking its head You’re not listening to me “Mel-mel! Taaal!”

Ash frowns, and pauses in his pushing against the Pokémon’s chest- not that it was really doing anything- and glances to Rowlet in confirmation of the translation. Melmetal is the newest of his team, and although Ash had to rely less on Rowlet come Melmetal’s recent evolution, he’s still getting the hang of understanding it when it’s trying to convey more complex notions “You- the cravings are getting stronger? You don’t think your meals are balanced enough?”

The Pokémon lurches forward “Mel!”, breaking free from Incineroar and Dragonite’s grasps, and all Pokémon screech as Melmetal reaches again for the cutlery cupboards “Woah, Woah!” Ash yelps, darting around to prove a physical barrier between the Pokémon and the treats it craves. Even in whatever hangry state it’s in now, it wouldn’t willingly harm Ash, so although he’s very much weaker and squishier than Melmetal and the other Pokémon, he proves an effective deterrent. At least until Melmetal realises it could calm down and pick him up to move him. “Use your words! I understand you’re frustrated but we’re not gonna get anywhere acting like this!”

“Metal!” The Pokémon says, large arms raised to press against its face “Metal mel-metal!”

Ash takes a moment to figure out what the Pokémon is trying to say, picking part emotions and sentiment transferred between their bond and translating it into actual words, before it clocks “Oh! We’ve been feeding you the same type of metal, you’re saying you need a balance of lots of different types of metal.”

“Mel!” The Pokémon nearly sobs its agreement as it lunges forward to scoop up its Trainer, said Trainer’s other Pokémon yelping once more, alarmed their most physically powerful teammate will crush Ash. But Melmetal just raises Ash up to nuzzle- as best as a being made of molten metal can nuzzle- him up against its face, making a pleased bubbly scratching sound Ash couldn’t describe if it tried. Appreciative, thankful, assured. Ash laughs and hugs his Pokémon back “Oh man, Melmetal, I’m sorry! We should have figured it out sooner! Can you hang on for a little while so we can sort that out and get a better mix of alloys and metals imported? Do you know what you need?”

“Mell” The Pokémon points to Lycanroc- or, more likely, to the crumpled-up half-eaten frying pan that he grips in his maw. Ash sighs sympathetically “That’s one of Burnet’s nicer ones- cast iron- right?” Melmetal nods empathetically and sets Ash down. As far as he knows, the metals they’ve been feeding Melmetal have mostly been metals like mercury- too dangerous to recycle- and aluminium- which, although apparently is very cost effective to recycle, is just produced so much that companies that only use small amounts of it don’t see it as cost beneficial to extract them and recycle them again, and other such odd alloys and complicated structures. Broken appliances from rubbish tips, etc etc. But no iron, or at least apparently not enough.

He should have thought of it. He always makes sure his other Pokémon have balanced meals, but with him being the apparent first modern Trainer of a Melmetal, it didn’t exactly come with a Pokédex entry telling Ash what to feed it. It doesn’t yet even have an official Pokédex entry. The regional Professor is the one who finalises the Pokédex entry of a newly discovered (or recently rediscovered) Pokémon, and Kukui had said that specific job was ‘on his to-do list’, which Ash is sure is miles long by now.

“Lycanroc you might as well hand it back to Melmetal, we’re not going to get much more use out of it now.” he tells the canine, who huffs through his nose and trots up to Ash, lifting his head to return the frying pan. Ash thanks him and turns back to Melmetal, holding the frying pan out to it as an offering “You can have this for now, but no more raiding the kitchen cupboards, okay? Those are really expensive, you’re gonna upset Professor Burnet if you keep doing that.”

Melmetal warbles a sorrowful apology again as it picks up the frying pan, and slowly melts the metal to absorb it into itself. Ash’s seen it eat organic food before, and although he assumes it doesn’t have any nutritional value for Melmetal, he still wonders where it actually goes. Melmetal is completely made of metal, and Ash assumes the metal it eats just… becomes it… so where does the organic food it eats go? Maybe it just disintegrates, or Melmetal spits it out when none of them are looking. Or maybe Melmetal is 2% Poképuff.

“It seems someone already got started on breakfast without us.” Lance says, startling Ash to turn around and realise he and the Professor are stood by the staircase to the lab, regarding the scene in front of them with mirth. Ash is quickly reminded that he’d been easily distracted by his Pokémon’s fanatics and pauses as he takes in the adults’ body language and expressions. They seem much more at ease as they stand side-by-side to regard Ash, almost as if their arguing is forgotten in light of watching the new Champion interact with his Pokémon. Before he can say anything, Melmetal turns and makes what sounds like an attempt at a mewl to Professor Kukui, a clear apology as it takes what remains again of the frying pan- little more than a chewed up handle- and holds it out for the Professor.

Kukui chuckles, and holds a hand up “It’s okay, I heard Ash. I’m sure Burnet’ll find it in her to forgive you. I’ll ask around for a better range of food and have it sorted by the end of the day, m’kay? You enjoy that.” Melmetal whimpers a rather pathetic apology that does not match the impressive stature of the Pokémon, and sadly brings the pan handle up to it’s chest so it can meld the last of it with its body. Kukui turns to Ash “It’s hardly nine and we’ve already had a very eventful morning, huh? You got plans today?”

Ash nods “I’m meeting up with everyone again with Misty on Akala. I told her I’d meet her at her hotel at eleven and head down to the dock with her.”

Lance’s eyebrows raise “Kasumi’s here? My, that was quick” Ash grins at him “She’s mad you beat her to it here, I’m sure she’d love to see you to chew your ear out in person.” Lance allows a small grin in return “She can chew my ear out any time back in Kanto, I’ll just have to hope the nicer weather here has placated her.” Ash thinks if anything it’s given her more energy to be her annoying excentric self.

That reminds him “Oh! Lance, are you super busy today?” Lance notches his head to the side and crosses his arms, trying for a detached air “No, why?” Ash grins as wide and as persuasively as he can as Pikachu hops back onto his shoulder “My friends really wanna meet a Champion, they’d love it if you came with us, even if for a little bit.”

Kukui laughs “Are you not enough for them, Keiki?” and Ash sends him a quick unamused glance.

Lance pretends to think for a moment, before nodding “Okay, I’ll come with you. On the condition we take our time making our way there: I’ve yet to be able to truly relax and appreciate this region.” Ash cheers, what an easy decision “Deal! I’ll start actually getting ready and making breakfast.”

“Alright guys, you coming with?” Ash calls. He’s stood by the door with Lance, all people and Pokémon properly fed, watered and readied. The uneasy start to the morning hasn’t been forgotten, yet it’d been put aside in favour of needing to get started on the day.

Lance had also stayed for the few hours inbetween the argument and the time Ash was due to leave the house so that he could discuss something further with Professor Kukui, who had finally had the chance to change out of his sleep wear. The conversation was much more amicable, the two sat in the living room with drinks held in hand, although Ash could read some latent tension between the two of them. He didn’t know whether that was thanks to the eavesdropping, the Aura, or a mix of both. He forced himself not to think about it, and it helped when Lance cut off every other sentence with a comment thrown Ash’s way about how hectic their morning routine was and ’Do you start every day like this? It’s a miracle you ever left the house.’ Even saying that he ’should raise Kasumi’s pay for having had to put up with you for so long, and maybe a nice bonus for Takeshi, too.’

Ash had yelled back amidst putting out a mild fire that ’Takeshi isn’t a Gym Leader anymore!’ but Lance had refuted that ’Well, still! Plus he’s still technically qualified; who’s to say I can’t fund the future of Kanto’s Doctors?’

Suffice to say it’d been a busy morning.

Ash’s call that they’re leaving was enough to rouse Rowlet to make his way into Ash’s rucksack as he slings it onto his back, and for Incineroar and Melmetal to find their ways into their Pokéballs, Lycanroc insisting on remaining out so he can go for a walk. Lance returns Dragonite, who isn’t a Pokémon that can make it very far on foot, and opts out of releasing anyone else as her replacement.

“Bye Professors! I’ll be back for dinner, at least!” Ash calls, and he gets returning calls from the basement from them both as he closes the front door. Lycanroc is quick to bolt out of the door and be let loose upon the sandy coastline, darting about and sniffing the sand across the beach in the hopes of finding some washed up Pyukumuku or an unlucky Sandyghast. Ash holds faith that the Pokémon will follow them along without needing to be called for, so he begins walking with Lance at his side, heading off of the beach and westward towards Hou’Oli city, where Misty’s hotel and the port is.

Lance is quick to speak first, with little preamble and an unassuming tone “I promise to meet your friends if you promise to have a chat with me about some Champion-stuff first, hm?”

Ash is a little caught off guard by the sudden shift to Kantonian and a more serious tone, and has a knee-jerk response before he can even think “Changing the conditions of a promise you already made?”

Lance snorts out a quick humoured breath “You’re more quick-witted than people give you credit for.” Even though it’s not said like one, it sounds a little like an insult, so Ash makes an act of sulking over it. Lance doesn’t pay him much mind “You’re right, and I hate to admit part of the reason I agreed to come along with you was for the chance to get to speak with you one-on-one- although I must let it be known I still would have agreed, anyways. It’s always nice meeting your friends, and if they have your and Kasumi’s approval, I see no reason why they shouldn’t have my own.”

Ash frowns at this, more so just as an indicator he’s thinking, before he nods and smiles “Well, okay! It would be odd if we walked all the way there in silence, anyways.” But his mind is only casted back to the hushed argument he had walked in on earlier. Is it going to be about that?

“Nothing too serious” Lance reassures, perhaps even reading Ash’s mind “It’s just the odd small bits and pieces I wanted to clear up with you.” And he smiles down to Ash, a metaphorical hand resting on his shoulder to show a complete lack of confrontation. Although Ash believes him whole heartedly, he still harbours a muted sense of unease that fizzles under his skin.

Lance looks off forwards to where they’re walking. It’s a well beaten path to the side of a main road- which isn’t especially large, all things considered- trodden on by trial goers, tourists, commuters, and ride Pokémon alike “Well, to start, I’m sure you know by now, but in case you don’t- although an Official Battle, since you’re not in the Master Class our battle on Sunday won’t count towards your World Coronation Series Rank, yeah?”

Ash just looks up at Lance, and blinks dumbly. Theres a long pause, and then he asks in an utterly lost tone “World Coronation Series?”

Lance pauses and looks down at Ash, his face melting into something near to concern. He blinks dumbly. “Huh?”

Ash awkwardly shows his teeth in something between a grin and a snarl and admits a little abashedly “I have no idea what you’re on about.”

Lance turns to Ash fully now- as much as one can whilst still walking forwards, although his pace suffers for it- looking in a state of genuine disbelief “You have been a Pokémon Trainer for, what, 7 years? You’ve participated in several Leagues and Championships, have travelled with and opposed many high-ranked Trainers- now being one yourself- and you have never heard of the World Coronation Series? Ever?” Lycanroc rockets past them from somewhere behind, eyes set on a Yungoos that’s retreating into the bushes lining the pathway. Ash kinda wishes he could join him.

Ash puffs out his cheeks and shakes his head slowly, looking up at Lance with wide curious eyes, Pikachu mirroring him. Lance almost looks like he’s pained by the admittance. The conversation seems to have taken a direction neither of them were expecting “I- Gods okay. The World Coronation Series is… where to begin. It’s a League-ran event that any individual globally with a valid Trainer ID is free to partake in. Everyone is given a ranking, and to climb the ranks you have to win battles against other participants in the Series in the same class as you. The better ranked the opponent you defeat, the greater your rank will rise, and the worse ranked the opponent you lose to is, the greater your rank will fall.” Ash nods along, his attention entirely entrapped by Lance. That makes sense.

Lance raises four fingers “The series is split into four classes. Anyone ranked lower than 999th globally is in the Normal Class.” He drops one finger so he’s holding up three “Those ranked 999th to 100th inclusive are in the in the Great Class” another finger drops “99th to 9th inclusive are ranked in the Ultra Class” another “And finally, the top 8 Trainers in the world as determined by the Series are in the Master Class: dubbed the Masters Eight.”

Lance now uses that finger to point to himself “I am one of the Masters Eight, as of this season ranked fourth best Pokémon Trainer in the world.” Ash interrupts him here to exclaim how impressive that is, and how he wants to rise up to the Masters Eight, too. Lance smiles at Ash “I have no doubt you can, Satoshi, but it’s no easy task. Unlike the other three classes, where you can have your rank boosted into the higher ranks, even when ranked 9th you cannot get into the Master Class no matter how many matches you win against others in the Ultra Class”

“What? So how do I get into Master Class then?” Ash pouts. Lance smiles kindly at Ash’s youthful determination, and how it seems to remain a constant in the Trainer’s nature “The only way to do that is to become the highest ranked Trainer in the Ultra class- ranked 9th in the world- and defeat the lowest ranked Trainer in the Master Class- ranked 8th in the world- in a battle to take their place amongst the Masters Eight.”

“Woah” Ash responds, and suddenly something in his mind clicks. Leon. He’d heard that name before, heard him be referred to as the World Monarch and of his legacy as an undefeated Champion, but only now does he connect the dots once he’s been given the additional information of the World Coronation Series. The kind of ’Ohhhh, how didn’t I notice that before?’ feeling that makes you feel a little stupid. Ash’s used to it. He glances up to meet Lance’s eyes “So who’s ranked 8th right now?” Lance smiles in response, already seeing plans taking form in Ash’s mind. Asking who it is he has to build up to and defeat, regardless of the impossibility it holds. The impossibility it would hold to anyone that isn’t Ash Ketchum “Raihan- he’s a Dragon type specialist Gym Leader from Galar”

“There’s so many strong Trainers from Galar.” Ash says, voice full of faraway wonderment, and Lance grins at that. He wonders if Ash’ll take a break from Alola to travel through Galar- suspecting he’d blow through the gym system there much quicker now, despite Champions not being able to officially partake in them “Getting you fired up?”

“Yeah!” Ash exclaims, turning back to Lance “How do I sign up for it?”

“I’ll show you when we’re with your friends” Lance offers “And I’ll run you through a few more of the nuances of it whilst we’re at it. Theres a surprising proportion of people who know about the Masters Eight but not the World Coronation Series as a whole. You think some of them may be interested?”

Ash grins “Oh yeah! Kiawe would definitely be, and I’m sure I could rope some of the others in too” he stares ahead determinedly “I’m already excited! Man, I wanna be in the Masters Eight!”

Lance has no idea what he’s done. Or maybe he knows exactly what. Ash has a goal. He realises he’d felt a little listless, a little lost since the high of him winning the League wore off. He’s always had a new Region to go to, with a new League to partake in, but now… Champions and members of Elite Fours can’t partake in any Official Leagues, and that had always been what Ash aimed for. Win a League, beat an Elite Four, become a Champion, become a Pokémon Master. There had always been a Next step. A new set of strong Trainers for him to meet and take on. But Ash is staying in Alola. Ash has responsibilities, an inability to travel through a region as consistently as before: only affording a few visits.

But the World Coronation Series… he has an aim. Take part, climb the ranks, make it to the Masters Eight, become World Monarch. He now has a tangible step between Become a Champion and Become a Pokémon Master, a title he knows he’ll never feel deserving of, same as you can never feel like you’ve learnt everything, experienced everything.

Ash is… Ash is pumped.

“Oh, and on the topic of myself and the other potential Monarchs” Lance begins, smiling, drawing Ash back out of positive spiral “I wanted to invite you as a guest to watch an exhibition match between me and Leon in the Galar region.” Ash grins up at Lance, bouncing on his toes like a little kid “Really? The Galar region? I’ve heard about it but I’ve never had the opportunity to go.” Strong Trainers there, a new place for him to visit, battles to be had.

“Well now you do” Lance grins affectionately at Ash “There’s a fair few perks that come with being a regional Champion, Satoshi. You technically already possess VIP tickets to such battles just from your status, and as I am someone who’s partaking in the battle I have the power to issue tickets to a few individuals as my guests” Lance laughs “Feel free to bring someone along with you, I’m sure you know someone who wouldn’t pass on the opportunity of front row seats to what I promise will be an exciting battle.”

Ash nods eagerly, already running his mind through the possibilities of who he could take. Kiawe would love to see such a heated battle, but he feels like he can’t bring Kiawe without bringing all of his friends. He could bring Kukui, but if he brings Kukui he has to bring Burnet, and then he doesn’t know whether they’ll be busy or not and if Burnet’ll even want to travel whilst already juggling both a pregnancy and a job. There’s always the possibility of him bringing other friends- he’s not short of them, after all, and it’d be nice to catch up- but again it raises the original question of who.

“You don’t have to decide right this minute.” Lance says, chuckling a little as he witnesses Ash’s mind running a mile a minute to try and select just one person “Just get in contact with your League-side representative and they’ll sort it out.” Lance waves a hand flippantly, concluding the conversation, and Ash just frowns, tucking his lips into his mouth as his attention is split between trying to sort out what Lance is saying, and deciding whether Lycanroc needs some help after he heard the Pokémon yelp from somewhere within the shrubbery ahead.

“Oh, yes.” Lance continues, perking up as he remembers something else “We were also discussing commentators for the match- we want to have a representative for both you and I, but now that you’ve mentioned Kasumi’s in Alola I might request for her. I appreciate she’s perhaps closer to you, but considering this is my first time ever in Alola, she’s the best I’m going to get on such short notice.”

“Oh, neat, we’re getting commentators?” Ash’s attention is now effectively diverted to the new line of topic. He only really gets the treat of a commentator during League battles and other well-funded competitions, but thinking about it now it of course makes sense for an exhibition match between Champions to have live commentary. And Ash is well aware the upcoming battle has been receiving plenty of attention. “Who’s representing me?”

Lance chuckles “It’s entirely up to you, Ash. Although this is a League Officiated battle, it’s independent of any sort of tournament, so the choice of staff is at our discretion. I don’t know if there’s any professional commentators in Alola, although I’d imagine even if there were, you’d rather someone who knows you a little better would represent you, right? Hence why I requested Kasumi to.”

“Oh, okay.” Ash says to fill in for him thinking. His eyes follow Lycanroc, who’s trotting back to them presenting a berry in his maw. As he approaches, Ash sees it’s a Passho berry. He’s no idea where the Pokémon got it from, he hasn’t seen one in forever.

Lance perhaps reads his mind as he replies in leu of Ash’s distracted silence “Kukui’s acting as a neutral party commentator, and will probably do most of the talking anyways. They were thinking of bringing another neutral party- someone like Professor Samson Oak, who’s of course the head of the grounds we’re using. We had just thought it would be nice to have someone who knows you well to introduce you and commentate on your battling, considering this is your international debut, all things considered. Lots of people watching won’t know much about you, and we want to make a great first impression and show the world your great character, hm?”

Ash frowns, still staring ahead now that Lycanroc has returned to his side, munching on the berry after having shown it off to his Trainer and Pikachu proudly. He doesn’t really know who to pick, he has to think of someone here in Alola now, who’s competent enough at Pokémon battles to commentate on them, not to mention someone confident enough to commentate- do they have to speak fluent Galarian? Most people he knows can, but what if they get nervous in front of a big audience? Plus, like Lance said, they should know Ash well enough. Someone who can set him up well, who knows his battle style well enough to make comments on it, and present him as a good person and a good battler. Someone who already has good relations with the public, too. Gods knows he really needs it, right now.

Ash should really start to consider that his Aura Abilities allow his thoughts to sway reality, because it’s at that moment where the two of them, just on the outskirts of the centre of Hau’Oli, begin to get attention from passersby.

Ash is well acquainted with the people of Hau’Oli city. Even if he does not know everyone there- and he doesn’t, Alola’s small but not that small- the general population is still used to seeing him around. He’s got the few brief passing congratulations since his Championship win, but all in all the people of Hau’Oli treat him the same as before. It’s one of the reasons he loves Alola: their strong sense of community and taking things in stride, everyone’s a part of the collective no matter how odd or internationally recognised they are. But even the people of Alola can’t resist the allure of Lance Chevalier, Champion of both Kanto and Johto, and one of the most respected individuals in the world. Adding on the fact it is peak tourist season- and that the city is busy with people milling about for a late breakfast given their holidaying schedule- Ash is suddenly made aware of how much their simple presence stands out.

Lance is not accompanied by his usual cape and partner Dragonite, and so that alone aids in him being less recognisable, but Ash himself still turns heads. He doesn’t have an appearance that stands out particularly, but he is accompanied by Lycanroc- the only known Pokémon of his specific breed- which allows anyone who even has a surface level knowledge of Ash to connect the dots rather quickly, and for those that don’t to be intrigued by the Pokémon they’re guaranteed to have never seen before. People turn their heads at Lycanroc, then see Ash and Pikachu, then make the connection between him and the man walking beside him, then recognise him as Lance. The group suddenly become very popular.

No one runs up to them, per se. But Ash is made aware of the wowed stares, the excited hushed exclaims, and the phones being sneaked out to take photos. Ash is made jealous of Squirtle’s ability to retreat into his shell, and resists hunching up his shoulders in a mockery of it.

“Don’t mind them.” Lance says casually, still in Kantonian, and Ash wonders if anyone can understand him, if anyone here is from Kanto. He wonders what people speculate them to be talking about “You get used to them, but most of them are in tourism-mode: they’ve been taking pictures and ogling sights on these islands for days by now, presumably?” He asks, and although Ash assumes the questions is rhetorical, he still nods his head yes. Ash hadn’t been that different when he travelled to Alola the first time nearly a year ago, too. Albeit it was his mother taking photos, Ash had always prioritised experiencing things rather than capturing them.

“I’m not” He assures belatedly, but once the words leave his mouth it feels like a lie, something a petulant child would say. There’s nothing about the crowds that should upset Ash any more than they have in the past. He’s received curious glances before, been judged previously when he was doing something reckless or disruptive that garnered people’s attention. Ash does not shy away from the public eye, at least not outwardly; has always told himself that the opinions of those he doesn’t care about don’t really matter- not in the grand scheme of things. And besides, there’s nothing malicious about the tourists and locals peering at two of the World’s League Champions, he knows he probably would too. None of them scream anything to be concerned about, none of them watch over Ash with malice. And yet he feels uneasy.

It could be any of them. They could have read the same article Ash did, this morning, could even agree with it. They could be talking with their friends or posting online about their doubts in him being a fitting Champion, their doubts that he earnt his place fairly. It could be anyone.

Perhaps that’s the problem with the anonymity of social media. It’s much different to people talking they way they do online to Ash’s face- it’s even different still than people talking behind Ash’s back. Because he can read it, and he can inform himself on the opinions of strangers through their broadcasted unfiltered thoughts, emboldened by the assumption Ash isn’t privy to them. He’s now second guessing every curious glance, every innocent whisper between friends. What do all of these people think of Ash? Does seeing him with Lance ease their suspicions, or only cause them to spiral further? There’s gotta be at least one of them- at least one person in this crowd who agrees with the scepticisms and conspiracies online. But who? Which set of eyes regard him differently to the rest?

“Satoshi” Lance says, and Ash breaks out of his head to look to him, only now noticing Pikachu reshifting his weight after having leant over in Lance’s direction. Pikachu got Lance’s attention for me. When the Champion looks to Ash, he’s smiling, casual. Completely unperturbed “Remind me of the names of your friends, again? Besides Kasumi’s, of course.”

Ash frowns, wondering what brought the change of conversation up, but begins talking anyways “Uh, the girls are Mallow, Lillie and Lana- Lana’s the water Trainer that Kasumi’s good friends with, they call sometimes, I don’t know if you know. Kiawe’s the fire Trainer that made it into the quarter finals- oh yeah and Gladion, who I battled in the finals- is Lillie’s older brother! She’s not much of a battler herself, though, or Mallow- but they’re great Trainers! And Sophocles is a total tech whiz, kinda like Clemont- you remember which one Clemont is? Maybe I should introduce them…”

Lance nods along, acting genuinely invested in Ash’s rambling, and smiles “Sounds like a good bunch, it’s nice Kasumi’s keeping in touch with Lana, as well. It’s good to hear she has some friends, I sometimes worry she feels trapped as a Gym Leader” His voice isn’t terribly laced with worry, and is instead rather conversational. He’s pointing out a trend he noticed in Misty’s behaviour, and Ash casts his mind back to the conversations they’ve shared recently- mostly over the phone- to infer whether he got a similar impression “Oh, maybe. She mentioned yesterday- when me Mallow and Lana met up with her- that she was using this trip to Alola as a break from being a Gym Leader- but she still definitely enjoys it! It’s good to have a break every now and then, I couldn’t imagine staying in one place for as long as she has.”

Lance chuckles “I suppose not. I may propose mandated breaks for Gym Leaders, then. I’d been considering it: it’s good for people and Pokémon to have a relaxation period every now and then, to make sure they’re at their best performance-wise both mentally and on the battlefield.” He pats Ash’s shoulder, having to reach around to the one Pikachu’s not perched on “It’s just another thing to consider, I suppose, trying to make being a Gym Leader as rewardable as possible. Bear that in mind for when you and Kukui are going about setting up the Gym System, or whatever’s Alola’s equivalent.”

Ash nods, taking in his words “I didn’t know Champions dealt with so many technicalities within the League” Lance scoffs, as if he’d said something funny “Well, no, it’s not within our job description. But we’re the- ah- field agents for the League. Most employees work in an office somewhere, sorting through Accounts or Marketing or other such...” Ash feels Lance try and search for a word less insulting than boring “administrative work. They’re often not even battlers, themselves, let alone participants in the Gym Challenge. So, it often ends up being Champions that give feedback to the League on new rules that should be implemented, whatever it may be. We don’t have any formal authority, but the League often trusts our word if we give just reasoning, and the weight of our opinions can often stretch out to other organisations or governing bodies.”

Ash does not try and hide the fact half of what Lance says is completely lost on him, and the Johtan regards Ash’s expression with barely-supressed bemusement “Just… think of Champions as a bit of a middle man between the actual Pokémon Trainers Associated with the League, and those who are employeed for more paper-worky jobs. We’re privy to and can influence the technicalities behind what makes the League run, whilst also being the face of a League Region and interacting with Gym Leaders, Elite Four members, and other Trainers.” Ash’s face shows a little bit more understanding, and Lance allows himself to smile softly. “You’ll get the hang of it, don’t worry. I know you learn a little better through doing rather than listening.”

This Ash can reply to, beginning a good-natured but frustrated ramble “Oh man it’s just like in the Pokémon school. I try really hard to listen to Kukui’s lessons, I really do, but I just can’t..” He makes a wavy arm gesture, to convey something along the lines of ’retain the information’. He places his hands atop his cap, fingers interlaced with each other, and he throws his head back slightly “I’d be screwed if I hadn’t have already learnt most of what he teaches during my journey! Not to say what he’s teaching is trivial, I just happened to have experienced it myself at some point. That’s why I still kinda sucked when he gave us question sheets or tests on stuff like history or the sciences, or anything I hadn’t learnt yet already.”

Lance snorts, covering his face with a hand as he does so. Despite his previous words, Ash sees Lance glance about the crowd as he does so, reflexively checking for any sort of a reaction. “I must admit it was a surprise to hear from you not even a year ago about how you were staying in Alola to enrol in a school of all things, albeit a Pokémon School.”

The Pokémon school, as it says on the tin, has subjects more geared towards their application with Pokémon, and Pokémon-Human dynamics. For example, history as a subject would focus more on the history of Pokémon battling, Pokémon settlements, and Pokémon Trainers’ laws- rather than general histories other schools would focus more on like politics or human-exclusive civilisation development. Because of this, the subject matter almost always has something that has some relevance to something Ash had experienced or learnt throughout his journey- and thus the information stuck better. Staying in Alola and partaking in the school wouldn’t have had nearly as much of an appeal to him as it did if it was just a normal school. He genuinely believes his time in Alola, even without everything that happened outside of the classroom, has helped him get closer to his goal of becoming a Pokémon master. There’s always more to learn about the Pokémon world, so why wouldn’t he give a Pokémon school a try?

“It still seems a little ludicrous.” Lance admits as he continues “Perhaps I’ll get a better feel for the idea once I meet your friends.” Ash drops his arms to send a playful glare Lance’s way. What is it about people not seeing him as very smart that makes them think the idea of him willingly attending school is closer to an oxymoron than the truth “Hey, why does everyone have to say that about me?” He doesn’t miss the private smile that creeps across Lance’s face at this, as he keeps his gaze set forward “I’ve had a great time at the Pokémon school, Professor Kukui’s really cool and all of my friends are super fun to hang out with! It’s nothing like the school I had to go to back in Kanto.”

Lance shakes his head, still smiling “You had just said how the only subjects you did well in were the ones on topics you already knew- and I know you well enough to know that such knowledge came from you getting out and travelling the world, and not from you retaining what you’d learnt from your short time in schooling in Kanto.” Ash pouts, mostly because there’s not a single thing he can refute from Lance’s claim. He turns to Ash, allowing himself to smile fully “You’re only proving my point, Satoshi.”

Ash finds himself embarrassed by the fondness in Lance’s voice, so he instead stares resolutely ahead, focusing on making the remainder of their journey to Misty’s hotel, ignoring Pikachu’s own humoured puffs of held laughter from his shoulder. They’re out of Hua’Oli’s shopping centre anyways, now, so it won’t be long.

When Ash and Lance approach the hotel, Misty is already stood outside, Psyduck out of his Pokéball with a comical pair of cheap Alolan Execggutor sunglasses on. Her arms are crossed, and her posture exudes that of someone who’s thoroughly unimpressed, and Ash nearly rolls his eyes as he approaches. Why is her first reaction to him always that of chastisement? He hasn’t even done anything yet!

However, as they approach and Misty takes note of them, her angered posture loosens and she stops sitting in her hip, standing up straighter. Once they’re in speaking distance, Misty gets the first word in “I didn’t know Wataru was coming along.” Lycanroc bounds up ahead to sit at her feet, panting from the excursion of his eventful walk under the midday Alolan sun, and begging for some attention. She relents and pats the rocky horn on his head a few times, but it doesn’t interupt the continuous glaring stare she directs at Ash.

Lance glances between the two teens, before settling on smiling to Misty “I apologise Kasumi, I don’t mean to intrude, I assumed Satoshi would have sent a heads up.” Ash huffs to himself “I merely wanted to take the opportunity to meet Satoshi’s friends. He said they were interested in meeting me too…?”

Misty lets a sharp breath out, jutting her head to the side to move a chunk of hair out of her face “Oh yeah, they’re gonna have a field day, Satoshi is the closest thing to a celebrity they have out here.” Ash doesn’t point out that he is a celebrity, and becoming a pretty big one, at that “Right after they chew him out for being late, which was just what I was about to do!” Her gaze again turns sharp and directed at Ash, and he scowls in retaliation “You said meet you at the hotel at eleven. I’m here! It’s eleven!”

“I said ten-thirty, you dimwit!” Pikachu begins sniggering on Ash’s shoulder, and he turns slowly to glare at his partner who’s enjoying this all too much. His partner who confirmed it was eleven when Ash asked. His partner who is a traitor, evidently.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do now” Lance placates politely, and Misty sends an, albeit less sharp, glare his way too. Lance just takes in her disapproval and sighs, shaking his head, and although he doesn’t smile Ash can tell it’s in good humour “I suppose that’s all the more reason to get a leg on, hm?” he prompts, and Ash nods along, returning Lycanroc who’s adequately tuckered out and in need of a rest, and jostles the shoulder Pikachu’s on, urging him to switch sides to give his right shoulder a break. Misty does not say much more, scooping up Psyduck in her arms, and storming ahead, making a show of setting the pace.

Lance sends a look Ash’s way, and he just shrugs. They both know what Misty’s like, her anger is never really truly genuine, no matter how much of an act she puts up. It is never, however, a great idea to test that anger, and so the two promptly start following after the hot-headed woman, as Ash drags his phone out of his pocket. He sends a quick apologetic message to the class group chat that they’ll arrive a little later than planned, and books tickets for the ferry to Akala in advance in the hopes to placate Misty somewhat.

----

They’d made it onto the small passenger ferry, set to sail to Akala. Thankfully it wasn’t completely full, with most people busy going out and having lunch in town about these times, so the group is able to find a section to the side of the boat not so full of people, although most groups dotted about seem to stick to themselves and leave them alone. Stood next to the railing Misty enjoys the spray of seawater hitting the side of the boat as it skids along the stretch of ocean, Lance convinces Dragonite, now out of her ball given that they’re no longer walking, not to jump off the ferry and race alongside it, and Ash enjoys the feeling of the midday summer sun on his skin as they continue making light conversation. All is calm.

“The nitwit didn’t know about the world Coronation Series?” Misty exclaims and begins smacking Ash’s shoulder with a fist “Even when it’s about battles you don’t listen! You’re the most useless Champion in the history of ever, do you know that?” Pikachu smacks Ash’s other shoulder with his tail to mimic Misty, leaving Ash to be attacked from multiple angles and unable to escape. His pleas are left unheard. He always knew Pikachu preferred Misty over him.

“Well it’s not like you knew about it either!” Ash half-yells back as he tries to shield and protect his face. Pikachu senses the weakness and begins swatting at his exposed nose instead, switching to Ash’s forehead once he readjusts his face-shielding-strategies, relentless. Lance’s Dragonite looks unsure about the interaction and on whether she should intervene, mewing uncertainty to her partner who just watches with a near-indifferent expression.

“I was ten! And it didn’t even exist!” Misty diverges her route of attack to send a fist straight down onto the top of his head, stunning him temporarily, and she grabs his ear to tug him towards her so she can screech into his ear, becoming a more effective earsore. “It was established the same year Galar became a League Region! Five years ago! When I wasn’t travelling with you! Argh! You’re such a waste of a brain, aren’t you? If you even had one!”

“You’re gonna cause a scene!” Ash grunts, voice thudding along with the beats of Misty’s fists making a return to smacking his body with impressive force, eyeing the other people on the small passenger ferry. No one stares, but he has the feeling of people’s attention being on him, regardless. As if everyone’s keeping watch of them from the corner of their eyes. Ash doesn’t even think it’s about the presence of two Champions “Oh I’ll show you a scene, Ketchum!” “Pika!”

“Perhaps we should refrain from assaulting Alola’s Champion within the public’s eye.” Lance finally says placatingly, hovering a hand over Misty’s shoulder, but Ash takes note of the attitude Lance takes towards stopping Misty. Less of a don’t and more of a not now where people can see. He doesn’t make a face at Lance for this, if just to avoid giving Misty another reason to continue her assault, claiming something about beating the disrespect out of him.

Misty stops, but Pikachu sends a jolt through his body for good measure, making odd strands of his hair stand on ends. Misty snorts, and Ash sends an unimpressed unamused glare Pikachu’s way as he raises his cap off his head with one hand to flatten down his hair with the other “You’ve lost shoulder privillages” He declares once his cap is firmly resecured, grabbing Pikachu quickly with both hands before the Pokémon can react and bending over to drop him on the floor. As soon as Pikachu’s feet touch the floor however, he jumps up to Misty, settling comfortably on her own shoulder. Although Misty stumbles a little from the sudden weight, having never had a Pokémon to regularly carry upon her shoulder, she eventually allows Pikachu to remain there with no complaints. The smug look Pikachu sends Ash sends his emotional maturity back several years.

“That’s Akala, yes?” Lance asks suddenly, and Ash perks up at the interruption- seeing it as the opportunity for a diversion of topic that it is- and glances Lance’s way to where he and Dragonite are looking, over to the horizon in the direction they’re headed. True enough, an island can just about be made out, and if one were to look behind them Melemele would still be in sight. The distance between the two islands truly isn’t that great, as to be expected from one that only requires 30 minutes of travel by boat to cross.

Ash nods an affirmation “Yeah, Melemele and Ula’Ula are way more populated, but loads of tourists go to Akala, because it’s got lots of unique landmarks and tourism-geared towns and cities so loads of ferries go between there and the other islands every day, especially during this time of year.” Ash smiles, leaning over the railing to allow the sea-salt infused air to hit against his skin “Lots of locals like Kiawe hire or use their own ride Pokémon to make distances between neighbouring islands, though, so ferries are less popular outside of tourism seasons. Lots of tourists like to try out using ride Pokémon too, though.”

He allows a content silence to befall him. The sound of the boat cutting across the water, the engine rumbling somewhere beneath him, the chatter of distant conversations of other patrons, high moods produced from the ease and joy one experiences when on holiday. There’s a feeling of spontaneous contentness within him, a contradiction between how constantly excited he is by this region, and just how right it feels, especially when he allows himself to stop and appreciate it every now and then.

He turns back to Lance and Misty to investigate the silence he’s met with (which is more shocking for the latter than it is for the former) only to find them both smiling in his general direction, beholding the view alongside him. Ash only grins wider and sets his eyes back on Akala Island as it approaches.

Once ported at Heahea’s ferry terminal, located on the South East side of the island, Ash’s mind is immediately set on food, and Misty’s mind is immediately set on preventing Ash from getting food because they’re already late. Finally Pikachu sides with Ash against Misty on this topic, but Ash’s urge to teach Pikachu a lesson is greater than his want for food in that moment, so he stops pleading the other two for a detour. Pikachu threatens to run away and get the food himself. Ash encourages him. Pikachu does not end up running away.

The group had planned to meet somewhere close to Lush Jungle. It’s a nice spot to sit around and eat and chat, but also out of the way of the usual tourist paths and hot spots, so they’re left largely unaffected by the populous boom of Akala this time of year. They begin their trek northwards, avoiding the city centre because Taking you anywhere was bad enough, Ketchum, but now we’ve got the Kanto Champion with us, so it’d be a nightmare. Again, Ash wonders why him being the new Champion is never enough for his friends. He’d argue he’s more recognisable, with his usual clothing and Pikachu on his shoulder, whilst Lance is without his Champion’s cape and with Dragonite again returned to her Pokéball. His arguments are not heard.

Psyduck had been held in Misty’s arms as they make their way around the island, until Misty grows tired and returns the Pokémon to its Pokéball, promising to keep his sunglasses safe- by shamelessly wearing them herself even though she knows they look ridiculous- and they finally reach the small hill that leads up to their picked out picnicking spot.

Upon the ascent he can just about make out his group of friends all sat about- some perched on a bench and others sat on a picnic blanket on the grass before them- and Pikachu leaps off of Ash’s shoulder to run ahead. He hears a quiet “Here we go” whispered between Misty to Lance as he takes a deep breath in.

“Hey guys! Look who I brought!” Ash bellows over to the group before they get much closer, waving his arm above him in a great big energetic arc to catch their attention. Despite them still being just far away enough for it to be necessary to yell to get their attention, Ash can still hear Sophocles and Mallow’s tandem exclamations of “Champion Lance?!” loud and clear.

Ash breaks into a jog up the hill, catching up with Pikachu who’s greeting Togedemaru energetically on the back of a sunbathing Turtonator. Pretty much everyone’s Pokémon are out, and he takes that as an invitation to release his own, who begin integrating themselves with the others. His Pokémon are not what his friends are interested in, however, and he doesn’t miss them trying to peer around him with a lack of subtlety “Alola, guys!” He greets, and although he receives greetings in return, he pouts at them not even trying to pretend they’re too distracted to really regard him. It’s only really Lillie that even takes her eyes off the approaching figure to dip her head to Ash as she returns a chipper “Alola!” to him, Snowy in her lap barking alongside her its own greeting.

Ash turns around to see Lance and Misty arrive, and Lance’s bemused expression. Ash’s sure Lance is plenty used to being ogled, by now, Ash himself even having seen Lance being regarded as he is now when they’ve met up in public in the past. So, Ash can say with enough certainty that the entertainment he seems to be getting out of the scene seems to come from Ash being completely ignored more than anything else “Hello” He greets Ash’s friends, casual yet polite. His Galarian is one of the most fluent Ash’s ever heard from someone learning the language later in life- besides himself, of course “You’re Ash’s friends, yes? I hope you don’t mind me intruding on you, I just thought it would be nice to meet you all.” Even whilst still wearing Psyduck’s tacky sunglasses, Ash can still see Misty roll her eyes.

There’s a chorus of “No, not a problem at all!”s and equivalent from the class, and Ash meets Misty’s eyes in a silent don’t say ‘I told you so’ or anything along the lines, I already anticipated this.

Misty’s gaze, even through the sunglasses, reads a ‘psh, yeah right’ even though Ash definitely did know they’d react like this. Well, he expected it from Sophocles and Mallow, at least. He perhaps overestimated his other classmates’ composures when faced with international celebrities.

Those seated on the blanket shuffle around to make room for the three newcomers, and Misty is quick to launch into a rant about Ash being late ’as always’ and allows the class to break out of their bewilderment over the Champion of Kanto and Johto crashing their picnic. Quick catch ups are made, especially between Misty and those she didn’t see yesterday, and even Ash has to admit she’s quite effective at leading a conversation. Lillie talks about her plans to find her father with Gladion, Sophocles talks about some hackathon he’d signed up for two weeks time, and Kiawe talks about the farm and his sister, stating that he has to leave a little early to begin prepping dinner for her.

“And you Lance- Wataru? Sorry.” Mallow rambles “Whatcha doing here in Alola? Not that you need to justify you being here, or anything.” The elephant in the room has been addressed, and all eyes move to Lance. He takes it in stride with a polite but present smile, and raises a hand “Lance is fine.” He starts with, and Mallow blushes a little over her slightly energetic rambling “And I’m here in Alola for a like reason to Misty, I suppose. Primarily to congratulate Ash on his victory, which just happens to be an excuse to take a little holiday. It’s been nearly a year since I last saw him, too.” The group nods, taking in his reasoning, Sophocles sharing a glance with Mallow that Ash can read as ’So Ash wasn’t lying when he said he knew Lance well’, which Ash doesn’t know if he should be insulted by or not.

Lana speaks up next, entirely flat toned as she adds “And so that you could have a battle with Ash before anyone else gets to.”

Lance’s eyebrow twitches slightly, evidently amused by her bluntness, and he leans back a little, a slither of a display of him relaxing. Ash gets it, Lana’s very good at disarming you, and if Lance is used to interacting with fans or interviewers, then he’s probably more used to having to keep up appearances amongst those he doesn’t know. Ash wants him to trust his friends enough to relax a little, and it’s nice to see “Well I’d never pass on such an opportunity. Trust me, Ash as a long line of people waiting for the chance to battle him, and I’ve received many threats over jumping in before anyone else had the opportunity to. I had the flights booked the second he won the tournament; I was on the edge of my seat.” Lance smiles, and the group again nods along to what he says, looking slightly less like they’re hanging off of ever word he says. Slightly.

Ash feels a pre-emptive heat spike to the side of him before Kiawe suddenly jumps up, Sophocles screeching from nearly being stomped on, and he loudly declares “Champion Lance! Please may I have the honours of battling you!”

The energy shift is immediate, to one of suspenseful excitement, and Ash can already see Mallow preparing an energetic cheer. Lance does not answer right away, which is due to the dramatics that Ash swears on his life that the man has, despite others insisting otherwise. He’s made too good of a persona of being a stoic serious battler, but Ash knows him better. He’s trying to build suspense and is revelling in his success.

Finally, he bows his head once, and meets Kiawe’s gaze “Of course, Kiawe, state your terms.”

Mallow’s already clapping her hands together in front of her, jumping from where she’s sat down, and Lillie scoops up Snowy to hug the Pokémon closer to her chest in amazement of the events unfolding. Kiawe folds his hands over his chest, acting overly serious, and Ash tries not to look onto it with bemusement. This probably is a very serious affair for Kiawe- he wants to one day become a Kahuna, and he sees this battle with Lance as a test of his current skill as a Pokémon battler. Plus, Ash can’t be acting all high and mighty now in regard to battling Champions, it was hardly a year ago that he was jumping at the opportunity to battle Diantha.

“A Singles battle with two Pokémon, no holding back” Ash smiles with pride at his friend. Kiawe’s an amazing battler, especially for someone who has to also tackle going to school whilst helping out at home. It reminds him of Brock, a little, back when he first met him- when he learned the tough Trainer he’d been beaten miserably by, the first gym leader he’d ever opposed, turned out to also be caring for his dozen or so siblings at home. Of course Kiawe wants Lance to go all out and treat the battle seriously- he wants to prove his competence as a Trainer to himself, and to really know where he stands against the world’s elite.

Number Four Lance had said his ranking was just earlier today. There’s only three people ranked higher than him right now in the entire world. But Ash knows stuff like rankings have never stopped him in the past, just the same as how he’s never been perturbed by facing off those with evolved forms of his Pokémon, or those which type advantages over him. It just means he’s gotta pull out all the stops, try his absolute hardest and believe in himself! Kiawe’s a super strong Trainer, and Ash has no doubt he’ll try his absolute hardest, too. To show Lance Alola’s spirit and way of life through his heated style of battling.

Plus, Ash’ll get the opportunity to see Lance’s battle style up close for the first time in years, to perhaps help himself start strategisng for his battle on Sunday. He and Pikachu should probably do some training he thinks, but he casts that thought aside for now. He’s got a battle to be focusing on.

Lance nods, accepting the challenge “I expect the same from you” He says as he stands up, his eyes flicking to Kiawe’s wrist, where his Z-Ring is. From the way Kiawe’s gaze turns more heated, Ash is sure he didn’t miss the gesture and the meaning behind it. Lance regards the group as a whole as he asks “Is there a nearby clearing available for a Pokémon battle?”

Turns out there is a nearby clearing available for a Pokémon battle, which Mallow bounds ahead to lead them to like an excitable Rockruff, offering no explanation over how she seems to have the routes through and around Lush Jungle memorised. Ash’s sure she’d say something about Learning where to scavenge the best ingredients when I was younger, but he wouldn’t be in a place to complain about how that ridiculous that sounds- that’s the exact kind of thing he would say.

Ash and Misty squabble over who gets to umpire the match, until Lana kicks Ash in the shin to move him out of the way and take the mantle herself. Misty boasts to Ash about not receiving the same treatment to be moved out the way, and Lana sends a ’don’t test me’ look to the other water Trainer Ash is only 80% sure is a joke. She reiterates the conditions of their match matter-of-factly, and all people and Pokémon not involved in the battle take a position way out of the way amongst the treeline to watch, trying to offer up as much space as possible for their makeshift battlefield. “Trainers, release your Pokémon.” Lana delivers with finality, the unspoken And let the battle begin hung off the end of her sentence.

Everyone, perhaps sans Lance, already knows which Pokémon Kiawe is going to use. He only has Marowak, Turtonator and Charizard- but his Charizard isn’t as battle-trained as his other Pokémon, built for stamina and speed for aiding Kiawe with the farm’s milk deliveries, and is likely going to be needed to be full energy to take Kiawe back home once the afternoon rolls into evening. If he is going all then Charizard will not be one of the Pokémon he uses, and so in a two-vs-two that of course only leaves Marowak and Turtonator.

Against Lance, however, there’s a greater unknown in who he’ll use. Assuming Lance has a full team on him, that’s six Pokémon he has to choose from, without considering the fact as a Champion he has a rotation of battle-ready Pokémon to pick from and, besides Dragonite, Ash doesn’t know which of those Pokémon he brought to Alola with him.

“Come on out for battle, Marowak!” Kiawe calls out, throwing the Pokéball with all his might for Marowak to come forth, the first of his two Pokémon.

Ash is able to appreciate the amazement that graces Lance’s expression as he sees the Pokémon emerge. Ash remembers Kukui teaching them about regional variants of Pokémon from other regions- see, he did learn things from the school- and that Galar is amongst a list of regions with a substantial amount of regional variance. Ash is like 98% sure Lance has been to Galar, so he’s definitely seen regional variants before. But it’s entirely plausible this is the first time he’s seen an Alolan variant- at least in person, if he was being truthful about watching the Alolan League unfurl.

The small moment of wonderment is exactly that, however, small. The expression is quickly masked by Lance’s devotion to the match as he throws a Pokéball, releasing his partner, Dragonite, onto the field with a powerful cry. Kiawe does not grin, his brow furrowed in concentration and his expression stern, but Ash can see the fire that’s ignited in his eyes when confronted by the strong Pokémon, the ace of Lance’s team. Ash’s other classmates express this excitement more vocally from beside him, and even he’s getting excited jitters as he anticipates the battle.

Kiawe is quick to make the first move, itching to get whatever upper hand he can grasp “Shadow bone, get in quick!”

Marowak’s stance lowers suddenly, bone held behind her now ignited with ghostly energy, and she rockets forward towards Dragonite, who has her own battle-ready stance. Lance’s eyes are narrow has he beholds the battlefield, before he calls out “Dodge it, and Ice Punch!”

There’s a chorus of amazed sounds besides Ash as Dragonite suddenly side-steps with impressive speed given the large clumsy stature of the Pokémon, evading Marowak’s attack at the last second with a fist reeled back. In that same moment, with Marowak off balance from a failed attack, Dragonite drives her fist into Marowak, throwing the punch with her whole body, the power of it launching Marowak parallel to the floor and into a tree that circles the impromptu arena.

Kiawe’s expression is one of shock in the best way possible. Impressed by the power Dragonite demonstrates, shocked by its speed, pleased with how Lance holds his word on not pulling any, and processing just what that really means for this battle, how difficult it’ll be, and just how well he’s going to have a battle to have a shot.

Lance has been a Pokémon Trainer for 21 years, and has been the reigning Champion of Johto for 15 of them. Although Ash can’t say for sure whether Dragonite is his starter Pokémon- unlikely so, considering 21 years ago Dragonite’s line were even more elusive than they are now, really earning the title of a Psuedo-Legendary- she’s definitely his ace and current partner, and has been since he inherited the title of Champion. She’d be a strong Pokémon regardless, but aided by the intense training Lance has put her through throughout the years, and the mass of experience she has under her belt, she is truly the image of a Champion’s Partner. For Lance to bring her out on this battle is a sign of respect to Kiawe. Ash doesn’t really believe she’s holding back, out of respect for Kiawe- he’s likely less experienced than many others she’s battled against, but he’s certainly not without passion or skill.

Marowak is quick to draw herself back to her feet, grabbing her bone tight in her grip and glaring at Dragonite determinedly. Kiawe, too, recovers himself quickly, and he throws his arm to the side as he commands next “Flare Blitz, then!”

Marowak spins her wielded bone and smacks it to the top of her head, igniting a flame there that stretches across her body, before pushing off the tree behind her to break into a speedy approach of Dragonite, a torrent of flames surrounding her.

“Catch it and use Body Press!” Lance commands. Again, the expressions of those watching- including Kiawe’s- are that of shock, and Ash finds himself nearly as distracted by his friends than he is by the match. Nearly, of course. Marowak doesn’t back down, continuing her assault course towards Dragonite, head held low as she charges.

Dragonite executes exactly what Lance had asked of her, however, digging her feet into the floor to ground herself and wrapping her arms around Marowak to stop it in its tracks, tanking the hit. Shocked gasps come from everyone, both Dragonite and Marowak grunting from taking the damage and recoil respectively. Dragonite contourts herself, fluttering her wings once as she jumps in the air, rotating both of them before she sends them both into the floor with Marowak beneath her.

Kiawe, however, only smirks “Alolan Marowak are part Ghost Type, Champion!” He calls over the battlefield, and the look of somewhat horrified shock that comes over Lance’s face is priceless. “Iron Head, now!” Kiawe calls.

Lance had known Dragonite could tank the hit, and had relied on the tactic to enable them to be in such close quarters as to enact a more powerful Body Press. The tactic, however, has only resulted in Dragonite taking an unnecessary powerful hit, and for her to instead be the one in a compromising position, rather than Marowak. Ash does not know Dragonite’s full move pool, but he knows she at least can use Hyper Beam- one of Lance’s signature moves amongst his Pokémon. That’s at least two moves she can’t use against Marowak, thanks to Ghost Types’ Normal and Fighting Type immunities. She can’t use Ice Punch in the position she’s in, arms propping herself up either side of Marowak, and with a charge attack already heading her way with very little time for her to act or move. Still, Lance reacts quickly, not allowing himself to waste time being embarrassed over a mistake caused by type matchups, of all things, calling out “Twister, get away!”

Dragonite calls out with dragonic energy as powerful beats from her unassuming wings pull her back suddenly, only receiving a nick from Marowak’s Iron Head thanks to her efforts. Not much of a tornado is generated from her hastily executed attack, however, so Marowak is able to regain her composure. With Lance having revealed Dragonite’s fourth move, she has no surprises up her sleeve. Albeit, Marowak doesn’t have any either, given her ground-typed Bonarang attack having no effect on the flying-type Dragonite, but unlike those spectating, Lance does not know that.

“Shadow Bone, launch it!” Kiawe calls, mimicking a throw to drive the point across. He’s a very physical battler, Ash can relate to, but it also makes the battle feel all the more energetic and interesting when you’re watching it. Marowak knocks the bone against the floor twice, igniting it, before she spins it before her, infusing it with ghostly energy via will-o-whisps “Twister again, knock it away!” Lance’s voice is sharp as he calls up to Dragonite from where she hovers in the sky, and she trills her response, flexing her body as she powers herself up with dragonic energy once more. She then proceeds to spin around, manipulating the air around her into a torrent, and channelling the tornado forwards towards the Shadow Bone the Marowak had thrown at the dragon.

The attacks meet midair and dispel each other, the Twister dispersing, neutralised, and the Shadow Bone is flung to the side of the battlefield, out of Marowak’s reach.

Kiawe’s gaze widens, as he watches Marowak begin running over to retrieve her weapon, Lance and Dragonite’s eyes following her, before the former’s snap to Kiawe’s “I think it’s safe to assume that Alolan Marowak are similar to other Marowaks in many other regards, such as their dependency on their bones in enabling them to execute most of their attacks?” Dragonite flexes her arm to the side, icy energy erupting over her fist in misty whisps, and Kiawe calls out desperately to Marowak “Iron Head! You gotta leave your bone, Marowak!” Just as Lance calls “Ice Punch!”

Dragonite gains on Marowak with impressive speed, much like a missile would, aided by being in her natural aerial territory. Marowak hesitates over Kiawe’s command, glancing over to her bone whilst encasing her skull with the energy of an Iron Head, and it costs her when the attack meets Dragonite’s and she’s pushed back from the force of the attack, flung across the grassy battlefield and kicking up dirt in her wake.

It's not soon before it’s revealed she’d fainted, when she doesn’t get back up, and Kiawe sighs, retrieving it to its Pokéball once Lana gives the signal to. Dragonite lands before Lance with a huff, but otherwise seems to be fine. She’d had to tank some pretty decent hits, though, and if she were any less trained, she’d likely be showing it. Ash’s honestly super proud of Kiawe, he played that as well as he could. It’s hard to outsmart a trainer as experienced as Lance, and whether or not it was intentional, Kiawe was able to capitalise off of Lance being unaware of Alolan Marowaks’ typing.

Before Kiawe can send out Turtonator, Lance also retrieves Dragonite, congratulating her for her efforts, and pockets her to switch out to someone else. He looks up and meets Kiawe’s eyes, and smiles slightly “You didn’t say no substitutions, yes? Dragonite needs a rest, you fight very well, Kiawe.” He enlarges the Pokéball in his hand, which prompts Kiawe to do the same “Good! Because we’re not finished yet! Turtonator, come on out!”

Turtonator erupts from the Pokéball with a deep guttural call, and Lance beholds the Pokémon. He then glances Ash’s way, only a brief motion, but he reads an inquisitive worry in Lance’s eyes. He then turns back to Kiawe, again entirely focused on the battlefield, and Ash would be left a little confused by the glance and nothing more- it would pass from his mind- if it weren’t for Lance’s second chosen Pokémon having been revealed to be his Gyarados. His shiny, red, Gyarados, who announces himself with a horrifying cry that seems to nearly rumble the very earth they stand on.

Ash knew Lance had that Gyarados, had been there when Lance caught it to rehabilitate it after what it’d endured under Team Rocket’s control. Nonetheless, the sight stuns him still, catches him completely off guard. Images of a red sky, backing up a horrible evil red-haired man flashes across Ash’s mind. Of the red of anger, of the aggressive energy that overcame him and Greninja, the energy that began stealing his mind from him, the red that likewise possessed Zygarde, the red of the flames of an aggressive Pyroar and Gyarados, and of the flames that lit up Lumiose city.

“Flamethrower!” Kiawe calls, and with a violent flinch, suddenly Ash is back in the present.

“Aqua Tail, swat it away!” Lance calls, but as Ash watches the battle it’s not with the excitement he had previously. Focus Blast meets Hyper Beam, Shell Smash breaks through Dragon Rage, only to be caught in a Bite. A Dragon Tail to combat it again, and a further back and forth combat of impressive blows between competent Pokémon. It only took one moment, one passing flash of memories, for Ash to lose his passion for the battle, and to experience that same dissociation he had that morning, not feeling entirely present in the moment, or even in his own mind. The Battle is objectively exciting, but Ash feels far away again, and all his friends are too engrossed by the battle, on the edge of their seats, to notice. Ash doesn’t know whether he should be thankful for it.

Pikachu himself notices, though, he always does. And he only prods Ash about it when there’s a moment of respite from the aggressive and fast-passed trading of blows. Ash just nods to Pikachu, assuring him he’s okay. He is, really, nothing’s wrong, he’s just getting stuck in his own head, again. There isn’t a problem. He just does that a lot. He hasn’t done it as much as he has recently, though, not since last year. Pikachu, as always, isn’t convinced, but he leaves his partner for now, satisfying his need to look after Ash by nuzzling his cheek, half distracted again by the battle as Kiawe begins executing a Z-Move. But alike his Trainer, the whole of Pikachu’s heart isn’t in it anymore- it’s likely the whole of his mind isn’t present, either.

Ash should feel ecstatic. A battle between two of his current rivals, which is wild to even have the opportunity to call Lance such, legitimately. It’s Lance’s first time seeing a Z-Move, he should be just as excited to see his reaction to it as his friends, should be analysing his reactions and way of battling in the hopes to aid his chances of success on Sunday. Kiawe is a performative battler, even if it’s a byproduct of his nature rather than a choice. Ash should be excited, watching this battle, just as he is every other battle- especially so, now.

But he feels a distant sense of emptiness, as he watches the smoke of the Z-Move fade, revealing a fainted Gyarados alongside a Turtonator felled by the retaliating Hyper Beam. Lana calls the matchup a draw, and that the overall battle had been won by Lance. His friends cheer for Kiawe all the same, for succeeding in taking down a Champion’s Pokémon with only one of his own. Lance himself is congratulating Kiawe from across the battlefield as he retrieves Gyarados, earnestly swearing on how his skills as a Trainer, and his passion for battling shines through. But Lance and Misty are starting to send glances Ash’s way, and if he doesn’t pull himself together soon his other friends will catch on, too.

“Congrats Kiawe!” He cheers as he runs up to the boy, spewing genuine compliments and analysis of his battling and that You were totally amazing, I told you you’re a great battler!, and kiawe blushes under the insistent praise and thanks everyone.

Lance places a hand on Ash’s back, stable, but his shoulders hunch up at the sudden contact, reflexive and tense, and Lance retracts his hand. He doesn’t send a concerned look Ash’s way, not with everyone standing in a closer group, and with eyes set on Lance, but Ash can feel his concern. He regrets the gesture, even if it were instinctual.

’You’re not alright’ Pikachu says, and Ash has the feeling his partner isn’t talking about just this particular lapse. He sounds sad, stern, concerned. He sounds like he understands it in a way no one else can, and Ash knows that to be true.

Thankfully when they trek back to the picnic site they were at before, no one else had claimed it as their own in their absence. Ash’s mostly back to normal, too, spurred on by the amicable conversations shared on the way back, and his friends finally treating Lance normally. He’d be silly to say the hero worship has vanished, but they’re treating Lance much more similarly to how Ash himself would have when they first met: like he’s a normal person just like them, but still someone to be admired.

“Isn’t he, like, your boss?” Mallow asks in response to one of many back-handed comments Misty had said to Lance’s expense, and the Gym Leader immediately sends a sharp scowl Mallow’s way, as if it’s a great insult “More like a manager.” Lance corrects and maintains a polite smile as he continues with a more teasing tone “Although I feel like I should get extra compensation for having to deal with her as a Gym Leader.”

Misty’s scowl is turned to be directed at Lance, now, and she huffs “I’ve been a Gym Leader since I was ten, you don’t have to manage me in the slightest- I’m self-sufficient.”

“Yes, and your sisters were almost too self-sufficient, weren’t they?” Lance drawls, before Kiawe pipes up inquisitively “A Gym Leader at 10? How did you qualify?”

Misty smiles to the fire-type Trainer, entirely ignoring Lance “Well, my older sisters were all Gym Leaders before me, and I used to borrow their Pokémon to train with them before I turned ten. I knew I wanted to become a Gym Leader so, the day of my birthday I signed up to become qualified alongside them, and within half a year I got my permit.”

“Which I have now passed a law to prevent,” Lance says “Since it’s ridiculous that someone so young and inexperienced could be the one testing and giving out advice to other Trainers.”

Misty scowled “Hey! I qualified fair and square. And I was experienced. It’s the Trainers’ faults if their ego couldn’t deal with them being bested by a kid.”

Lance purses his lips “You hadn’t even had your Pokémon journey yet- may I remind you with the presence of Satoshi here- which is quite an integral part of the Pokémon Trainer experience. Need I also remind you your role as a gym leader requires mentoring and teaching lessons to those who need them?” Misty just scowls in reply “You need more than plain battling experience to be a good Gym Leader”

“I know that” Misty rolls her eyes, but offers nothing more. Lance turns to the others as he continues “At the time I was much more involved with my role within the G-Men, considering I’d neglected that side of my responsibilities when I’d first become the Kantonian Champion” Lance swirls his cup “It was perhaps four-five years ago that I figured out how outdated Kanto’s restrictions on Gym Leader Qualifications were, and I quickly rectified that. Johto had already had more restricted requirements, but all things considered they’re not even that restricted.”

“How so?” Lana asks, and although her tone is passive, she leans forward slightly in genuine intrigue. Lance smiles to her “To start, I made the age limit 14 years old. Misty hardly made the cut. Then I made it a requirement that any new Gym Leaders had to mentor under an Active Gym Leader for at least a year before they fully earned their qualification: assuming they met all other previously established requirements”

“Like what?” Kiawe asks, also leaning forward. There’s a heat in his gaze, something heavier than the conversation. He’s very interested in how one becomes a Gym Leader Ash notes, but he can’t quite grasp the exact reason why. Is he wanting to learning from foreign customs to aid him on his journey to becoming a Kahuna? On the methods other regions use to become stronger, themselves? It’s entirely plausible his energy is a residual from his heated match, or that he’s gained an appreciation for more Eastern Styles of training after it.

Misty takes the question. “Well, one of the Elite Four has to battle you to test your aptitude- you don’t even have to win, just have to show your competence” she takes a deep breath “It’s less so now, but some Gyms are just easier than others. Nowadays they’re all more similar in skill level, and Leaders adjust their difficulty by swapping which Pokémon they face challengers with. In the last few decades League Associate wages have gone up, inclining people to stay Gym Leaders for longer and commit more to the role, and thus become tougher opponents themselves, training tougher apprentices for when they retire from the role.”

Lance nods along as a subconscious verification, before he adds “Then you have all of the background checks, formal training on professional behaviour, and tests of responsibility and personality to see if they’re really fit for a Gym Leader role. After that it’s just assessing funding: Gym Leaders wages are a kinda complicated process I don’t even fully grasp.”

“Nor do I” Misty huffs, leaning back “Every time I think I’ve cracked whatever code they use to figure it out, my next paycheque comes through and throws my theory off. I swear they just chuck it through a randomiser every time.” And Lance snorts at this, and continues speaking “There’s many ways to assess the competence of a Pokémon Trainer, and whether they’re technically qualified as a battler, such as having a sufficient ranking in-” At this Lance pauses, before he sits up straighter, unintentionally swaying everyone else to correct their own postures “That’s right!” He turns to Ash suddenly, eye’s wide and lit up “I was going to show you how to enrol in the World Coronation Series!”

“The what?” Sophocles asks, the confused curiosity in his tone reflected in the faces of the rest of Ash’s classmates. Misty does not display the same disappointment in them for not knowing as she did for him, and he holds off a pout because of it. Lance delves into a summary similar to the one Ash had received before on what the World Coronation Series is, and asks whether anyone else’s interested in enrolling.

Of course, Kiawe is immediately volunteering himself- seeing it as yet another opportunity to improve himself and to aid him in his path to becoming a Kahuna, and surprisingly Lana is just as eager. Not that it’s that surprising, of course, Lana definitely can enjoy battling, and is pretty good when she sets her mind to it, but Ash wasn’t expecting her to volunteer herself so eagerly. Well, as eager as Lana can be about something.

Then, Mallow nudges Sophocles’ arm, and speaks up “We should sign up as well- you too Lillie! If it’s free, what’s the harm? It might be fun for us all to take part, even if we don’t do so well” She sends a killer-watt beaming smile at Sophocles, who finally relents, but not without a quick refute “What’s made you wanna join a battling competition? You’re more of a spectator.”

Even though Ash is fully aware of what Sophocles means by that, even he can hear that it sounds a little backhanded, and Lillie leans back and away from the two in anticipation of Mallow jabbing a elbow into Sophocles’ stomach, who nearly doubles over form it “I said it could be fun, Soph, if we all took part! Plus maybe Ash knows what he’s talking about when he says you can learn a lot about someone by battling them. I feel like I get Lance way better now.”

“Yeah, you got that from watching him, it was Kiawe that battled.” Sophocles manages to cough out before he receives another elbow to the gut. Lillie sends an apologetic look to Lance and Misty on their behalves, and Ash is just happy they’re relaxing around Lance and willing to sign up.

“I call being the first to battle Ash” Kiawe claims, and Lana sends a side-eyed glare his way, written with Your Pokémon aren’t able to battle right now. Kiawe splutters a little, before turning her “I didn’t say now, I just said first. He’s my rival.”

“You can’t dibsy Ash like that!” Sophocles complains, and Misty chooses to butt in with “Well technically he was my rival first, so I should get first dibs.”

It’s Ash’s turn to send Misty a glare “Who said you were ever my rival, Kas?” At which it’s Misty’s turn to splutter, enraged “Well- you’re right! That was me being generous, I was a Gym Leader and thus our skill gap was too great for me to consider you my rival.”

“A Gym Leader I beat easily first time without even using Pikachu.” mentioned Pokémon huffs at being brought into the argument “It was a draw because of Team Rocket, and I totally would have won!” “Would not. Plus your sisters awarded me the Gym Badge so they were the Gym Leaders I earnt it from, not you. Plus plus, my first rival is technically Shigeru.”

Misty squints a glare at Ash, perhaps from not having a proper rebuttal loaded up, and Kiawe takes her logic’s debunking as an opportunity to say “I don’t care who else battles Ash, so long as I’m the first Alolan he faces.” And before that can kick up another argument, Lance holds a hand up to silence and placate everyone, and speaks up before another interruption occurs “Perhaps we should focus first on getting everyone signed up, yes? Do you all have phones with you?”

’Are you going to talk about it?’ Pikachu asks as he clambers into Ash’s lap, beginning to settle down for bed. His fur is washed, dried and brushed, his belly is full, and his teeth are cleaned and a shiny white, such being displayed by the long, tired yawn he lets out. Ash puts down RotomPhone for a moment in favour of running a hand over Pikachu’s fur.

“I don’t know what you mean.” Ash says, and Pikachu peeks open an eye to send him a glare for even trying to pull that tactic, and yeah okay fair enough. It’s almost insulting to Pikachu, at this point. Instead, Ash shrugs “I don’t really think that it’d help.”

’Everyone else seems to think otherwise’ Pikachu says, but he doesn’t voice whether he agrees. Ash knows his partner well enough. After parsing together aspects of his life before he was Ash’s partner, before he was even a Pikachu, it makes a lot more sense. Pikachu are known to be independent Pokémon when found outside of herds of their own species- can still often be seen as such when in herds. Pikachu had run away from the Kangkaskan herd when he was just a Pichu, preferring to solve the problem at it’s root and not talk it through, voice his feelings. He hadn’t even shared his feelings when he’d told Ash of that period of his past, and it’s only because of their close bond that Ash could infer the messages behind what he was saying.

Pikachu and Ash are very alike, really. Altruistic to the point of their own harm, and willing to do almost anything else besides talk through their problems. Pikachu’s own altruism towards Ash is the reason why he suggests they talk about it, every now and then; is the reason he tries to help Ash so much, why he always does what he thinks is right for his partner even if Ash disagrees. His likeness to Ash, however, is the reason why when Ash responds no time and time again, Pikachu doesn’t push any further, understanding.

Pikachu huffs to show his displeasure nonetheless, and closes his eyes, deeming the conversation over and announcing he’s going to sleep. Ash continues to run a hand over Pikachu’s back, soothing them both, and only once he feels Pikachu’s breathing deepen and slow down, and his Aura settle into a low flat hum, does he pick up RotomPhone again. He feels almost guilty for doing so, knowing he’s making the decision to check his socials specifically when Pikachu is asleep- when his partner can’t interrupt his doom scrolling for his own sake. Pikachu’s opinions on what Ash needs isn’t final. Ash wants to know what people feel about him, he needs to know. He knows Pikachu would disagree, however.

He takes a breath in, mentally berating himself, before tapping on the search tab and typing in ‘Kalos’. He feels helplessly foolish.

It opens an infinite ream of tweets, and he scrolls through them tensely, scanning them almost apprehensively, as if he needs to be prepared for the possibility of the words on the screen jumping out at him.

Beret Kanh
@Beret7890

Me and Alyia just landed in Lumiose for our tour of Kalos!!! Super excited to try out local cuisine xxx

[photo]

24/06/XX 12:45 Twitter for CheriPhone

Dez ^-^
@Dezain__rel

Replying to @CLOWNSOFUNOVA

See this is what I’m saying Galar, Kalos, and Paldea are all the leading regions for battle mechanics!? Like I know everyone knows this but I feel like we should be looking into this more? You’re telling me no professors or scientists or idk paleantologists are looking into this?

24/06/XX 15:40 Twitter for LumPhone

SEALWD
@humbsyi

Replying to @chatrusnt

THE STARAIL IS DARK??? Dude im from Kalos tell me why all this time I thought it was like a see-through tube you could check out all the marine Pokémon in the sea from aw man :(. I’m not going to Galar anymore guys pack it up >:( /j

24/06/XX 16:32 Twitter for LumPhone

KalosNews Central
@KalosNews_Central
President Profité and the Mayor of Lumiose seen coming out of yet another meeting with League Board Officials. Champion Diantha is again noted to be absent, despite sources verifying she is not preoccupied by other duties. This is the fifth time this June such a meeting without her has taken place, and the seventh time overall. Could it be the League and Government is cutting her out of whatever discussions or debates are occurring, or that she’s finally taking a stance? Read this article on the silence our Champion has taken over the choices made about media censorship over this recent year, and what this could mean for the future of Kalos League-Government Politics…

24/06/XX 22:33 Twitter for RotomPhone

Paxton
@DeathandPaxes

Croissant and coffee from Eclamare’s in Lumiose City, Kalos! Big hit with Totodile ^-^

[Picture]

24/06/XX 17:56 Twitter for RotomPhone

Ash lowers the phone slightly, chewing his lip. He feels silly, almost, for expecting something worse, something triggering. But he feels even more ridiculous for how he’s disappointed over not finding anything of such. He sends a cautious look Pikachu’s way, before scowling to himself and scrolling back up to the top, re-entering the keywords he typed into the search bar. ’Kalos Crisis’

Sailor
@AppleInferno

I’m actually so fed up of hearing about the Kalos Crisis a YEAR LATER like this shit is supposedly heavily censored?? Then why am I still hearing about it???

24/06/XX 17:56 Twitter for LumPhone

Ded en neigh
@Momomakoko

Replying to @AppleInferno

This screams entitlement??? Like sorry us wanting justice is wrong, some of us were actually affected by the Crisis and aren’t satisfied by the governments half-arsed reparations and the League meddling with politics to try and hide their fuckups.

24/06/XX 18:04 Twitter for LumPhone

Sailor
@AppleInferno

Replying to @momomakoko

Hey Jackass! So I lost my cousin to a collapsed building thanks to the Crisis. Stop making assumptions about people online, I’m just DONE hearing about it, I want to move on with my life.

24/06/XX 18:06 Twitter for LumPhone

Ash lets out a deep, shaky breath and clicks out of the thread, only finding himself unable to stop himself from clicking on another. He feels sweaty and jittery, but it’s not what he’s looking for. What is he looking for? What is this morbid curiosity itching for?

You want to hear what they think about you.

He scrolls back up, and adds ‘Ketchum’ to the search bar, pressing enter only after a little hestitation.

COMS OPEN!!
@VictoriaVelvett

Replying to [Deactivated Account]

I’ve seen people referring to a ‘Kalos Crisis’ or smth but why tf are those people now talking about Ash Ketchum now. Wtf has he got to do with it he’s a Kantonian living in Alola???

23/06/XX 13:26 Twitter for CheriPhone

COMSWOOBAT
@kokokrazy

People talking about Ash Ketchum not being qualified to be a Champion must be a sign of like a global stupidity crisis. Mf’s Kantonian, he’s probably been a Trainer since he was like ten, and he’s competed in loads of leagues? I heard someone talk about him being the runner up in Kalos like cmon guys USE YOUR BRAINS

23/06/XX 13:26 Twitter for KoPhone

KALOS CRISIS ISNT OVER
@IAMNOTSU.IDAL.SRS

The fact that Kalos and the league have put more effort into erasing Ash Ketchum’s Greninja and Lysander from public media than repairing lumiose and helping those who’d been misplaced or injured by the crisis is actually appalling

24/06/XX 10:37 Twitter for LumPhone

Ash hesitates before he clicks on the tweet, opening a ream of replies beneath it.

Clover
@fiveleafgreen

Replying to @IAMNOTSU.IDAL.SRS

Like my aunt is now paralised from Zygarde’s attacks and needs a wheelchair and she got unrightfully fired and no one has done anything to help her we’ve had to start a fundraiser to help her.

24/06/XX 10:43 Twitter for LumPhone

KALOS CRISIS ISNT OVER
@IAMNOTSU.IDAL.SRS

Replying to @fiveleafgreen

Oh my god im so sorry! It’s like they’re too scared to address anything about the situation in fear of dragging attention to it but they’re only dragging out the restoration process of it more. Do you have the link to her fundraiser?

24/06/XX 10:50 Twitter for LumPhone

Marine
@Marinineine

Replying to @fiveleafgreen

She should sue

24/06/XX 11:22 Twitter for LumPhone

Jacob
@Matrixfrur

Replying to @IAMNOTSU.IDAL.SRS

Gods you Kalosians have GOTTA STOP milking a dead miltank, that shit was a YEAR AGO if you hate your government so much just move out you’re all so WHINEY

24/06/XX 11:22 Twitter for CheriPhone

Ellie
@Ellililigant__

Replying to @Matrixfrur

0/10 rage bait people died you sick apathetic fuck

24/06/XX 11:27 Twitter for LumPhone

Neor
@NeroZeroCoffeeFree

Replying to @IAMNOTSU.IDAL.SRS

Fr like I understand why they’re keeping it so tightly undewraps for like fear of it all repeating but this is not the way to do it? Deleting tweets and news articles?? Those uneducated repeat history. And it’s going to come out eventually, they’re only prolonging it and if anything adding allure to the whole thing. We need to keep raising awareness

24/06/XX 11:13 Twitter for LumPhone

KALOS CRISIS ISNT OVER
@IAMNOTSU.IDAL.SRS

Replying to @NeroZeroCoffeeFree

Exactly!!!

24/06/XX 11:24 Twitter for LumPhone

Frini
@DiscoManaci0xx0

Replying to @IAMNOTSU.IDAL.SRS

Ash? Like the Champion? Lysandre? Is this a kalos thing what the hell happened

24/06/XX 14:54 Twitter for KoPhone

KALOS CRISIS ISNT OVER
@IAMNOTSU.IDAL.SRS

Replying to @DiscoManaci0xx0

Check my pinned tweet for information dude its appalling that people don’t know about it (not ur fault, the League’s)

24/06/XX 15:35 Twitter for LumPhone

Ash frowns, and clicks on the person’s profile

KALOS CRISIS ISNT OVER
@IAMNOTSU.IDAL.SRS

Kalosian speaking out on the Crisis! If this account becomes inactive you can see the @ you know they got my ass

Location: Lumiose, Kalos Joined: April 2021
231 Following 2.3K Followers

Posts | Replies | Highlights …

PINNED
If you’re a Non-Kalosian who’s never heard of the Kalos Crisis, please click on this link for all the information I’ve gathered on it, including uncut footage, interviews and witness reports! Included is also what the Kalosian Government and the League’s doing to cover it all up, and why! Educate yourselves! https://....

Each link is identical, presumably leading to the same page.

Ash does not click on the link, and turns off the phone.

Chapter Text

As a small saving grace, Ash isn’t given the opportunity to slowly and dreadfully wake to the temptation to probe through Twitter in secrecy from Pikachu, because he’s instead awoken by a stressed commotion downstairs.

He and Pikachu are asleep one moment and hurling themselves down the loft ladder the next.

It’s not that loud of a racket- Ash has certainly encountered and even been awoken to worse- but it’s a testament to how on edge the both of them have grown to be lately that it’s enough to garner such a reaction from them. The yells are of alarm and concern from Professor Kukui and Munchlax, and as the two of them clamber downstairs they’re relieved to find the situation is not as dire as the shot of adrenaline they’d received had made them believe.

Not to say it’s anything good either. Professor Burnet is busy knelt over and clutching the sides of the bathroom’s toilet on the ground floor whilst she’s emptying her stomach, her partners- both Pokémon and husband- stood either side of her and uttering reassurances.

Ash allows himself to stand around uselessly for a moment, dazed, before he silently kicks himself into gear and fetches a bottle of water from the fridge for her. He feels guilty for the shot of relief he feels that Burnet being sick is the ‘only’ thing that’s going wrong, and wonders what he’d really been expecting. A burglary or attack, perhaps? From whom? What? He doesn’t know- sometimes it feels like there’s no scenario anyone in the world could come up with that would truly greatly surprise him anymore, but maybe it's because of that he acted so extremely. When nothing seems impossible anymore, the worst-case scenarios that flash through your head seem far more dauntingly plausible and real.

Ash finds that, for as much as he has the urge to help Burnet as she wails slurred complaints into the toilet bowl, he can’t stand the sound, sight, or smell of someone throwing up, and instead busies himself with readying for the day now that he’s up. He’s sorting out breakfast for his Pokémon and Kukui’s- currently only Braviary and Lucario are on hand- when Professor Burnet finally trapses out of the bathroom looking more frustrated than ill, which Ash’ll take as a good sign.

“Are you alright?” he asks, hoping the worry in his voice isn’t too heavy. Professor Burnet looks to Ash suddenly, as if not realising he was there- he hadn’t received any recognition from her when he passed her the water earlier besides a thanks from Kukui on her behalf- and she presses a heel of a palm to her forehead. “Oh- yes, I’m fine. It’s the morning sickness. I haven’t had it in a while, but I think I’d tried eating too soon after waking up this morning and set it off again.” She makes a vague displeased noise “Gods I hate throwing up.”

“I don’t think anyone enjoys it, Love.” Kukui placates as he passes her slowly with a hand on her lower back. Burnet sends an unkind disdainful glare to the back of Kukui’s head that has Ash worrying somewhat, but he opts to ignore it on the account that he can’t expect Burnet to be particularly chipper this morning.

Ash wonders how this is the first time he’s woken to Professor Burnet’s morning sickness, if she’d had it before as she implies. He’s halfway through chastising and worrying himself over being too negligent to notice his guardian’s plights- what if something worse had happened and he hadn’t noticed, doesn’t wake up, won’t be there until it’s too late- when Kukui apparently reads his mind and elaborates “Burnet usually woke up to her sickness, so we’d deal with it in the ensuite downstairs.” He pats Rowlet distractedly as he passes by the Pokémon, and sits himself at the breakfast bar to finish his half-eaten breakfast. Burnet’s own unfinished meal remains beside his own, but she doesn’t even attempt to continue eating it as she weaves between the hoard of Pokémon in the living room to collapse with a disgruntled huff on the sofa. Ash sends a quick assessing glance Munchlax’s way and evaluates it’d already eaten, so finally takes to preparing and eating his own breakfast.

Ash does what he’s best at and gracefully ignores any undertones of tension in the room as he begins thinking aloud whilst cutting up some strawberries to have alongside his sweet bread. “We’re running low on fruit so I might go into the city to buy some today- but me and Pikachu think we should focus on training today for our match with Lance.”

Kukui places his fork down to begin speaking hoarsely “No need.” He swallows the food in his mouth and continues more clearly without the haste to get his words in “I was already gonna head out at lunch to get some odd bits and some tablets for Burnet- I’ll add it to the list. You focus on training.” Burnet mutters something from the sofa but Ash doesn’t catch it. He looks over to see she’s sat more upright now, bottle open in one hand whilst the other busies itself with petting Pikachu who’s taken to curling up in her lap now that he’s already done with his breakfast. Ash has the absent thought over whether if Pikachu had the ability he’d purr, thinking back to haven awoken to Incineroar’s own purring last morning. Ash isn’t pregnant though, he thinks bemusedly.

“Get the snacks I like.” Burnet speaks up distractedly, and Kukui nods. Her face seems uneasy at the prospect of eating, but Ash recons he might know how she feels. Unwilling to eat but knowing she’ll have to at some point, and compromising the conflicting feelings with something self indulgent she knows she can stomach. Ash had thought there’d been way more snacks in the house recently- odd specific brands and flavours he’d never seen before- but with the hindsight given through Burnet’s pregnancy announcement, he supposes cravings and sickness explains it well.

He vows to distract himself from social media tonight by researching a bit more on pregnancy. Burnet seems to be going through a lot- had been going through a lot, in secret no less- and he wants to figure out more of the specifics and how he can help her. If he’s experiencing the urge to look at RotomPhone late into the night he should devise his own compromises and do something more constructive with his time.

“If you think you need the extra time you don’t have to come with me to Kahuna Hala’s tomorrow.” Kukui proposes, finishing his own breakfast and carrying his bowl around to the sink to be wAshed “It’s not particularly important- but it’s League business and I thought it’d be good for you to come along.”

Ash considers his words as he finally gets to eating. “I mean we’ll see how we get along, plus we won’t be at the Kahuna’s all day either way, right? There’s plenty hours to spare for us to get some good hard work in.” Although Ash had been speaking directly to Kukui, he still hears Pikachu’s supporting statement stage-called from the sofa, his own determined agreement muted somewhat by the fuss he’s getting from the Professor. Pampered and spoiled, he is.

“Sounds good.” Kukui hums. “I think both of us are working remotely today, so it sounds like all of us are home, Sweet?” he calls the last bit slightly louder to include Burnet in the statement and she sighs- mostly to herself in some sort of internalised frustration “Are you cooking dinner then?” It’s a silent plea, Ash can hear that much. I can’t stomach the thought of being in the kitchen right now. Ash would offer his own help, but despite the many attempts at cooking lessons throughout the years, he’s mediocre at best with constant guidance, and even then he really should be getting in at least one proper day of training with Pikachu. Tournament or not this is still a serious battle with a large crowd, against the world’s number four. Ash can’t really afford to be lazing around, although a break after the Manalo Conference was definitely needed.

RotomPhone buzzes from where Ash had placed it on the kitchen counter, and he sees a notification from Rotom itself. It reads on how it can suggest recipes that avoids any trigger foods and to aid morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms in meals, and Ash mutters to RotomPhone that he’ll have it go with Kukui into the city to help get the right ingredients. Ash himself may not be able to cook, but he’ll use the tools he has at his disposal to help relieve some of Burnet’s stresses.

He almost winces again as he catches himself thinking of RotomPhone as more of an object than a Pokémon. He swears he wasn’t this bad with RotomDex, but RotomPhone is so much more quiet and… subservient. He’ll have to ask it some questions to reassure his conscience, he reckons.

It’s not even half an hour later before a more lively-looking Burnet is gently but encouragingly ushered downstairs by Kukui that Ash finds himself on the beach just outside the house with Pikachu and RotomPhone, succumbing to the urge to do just that.

“RotomPhone?” Ash calls, and he hears a sound something between a buzz and a hum as the Pokémon device slips out of his pocket to hover in the air before him, screen displaying a face not dissimilar to RotomDex. Its antenna wiggles attentively “You’re a Rotom, yeah?”

The phone can’t exactly nod, having no chin nor head nor neck, but it does bob in the air in an imitation of it “That’s correct, Rtz!”

Pikachu hops off of Ash’s shoulder to the sand so he can more effectively send a bemused look his partner’s way.

“But were you… caught?” he doesn’t know why he sounds unsure, but unlike Pikachu and his increasingly insultingly incredulous expression, RotomPhone has the good grace not to bring notice to the tone “Not quite, Rtz! Although I am registered under the ownership of RotomPhone Int.- permitted through particular international Poké-Right laws to protect the wellbeing of Pokémon under the ownership of companies as opposed to individual Trainers- I was never wild! Rotoms sourced by the company are traded in via breeders!” Ash frowns at this, more contemplative than dissatisfied, and Rotom continues its explanation, seemingly enthused to talk about its past.

“I come from a Rotom Breeding farm, Rtz!” Rotom announces, and its screen displays a series of photos of exactly what Ash imagines a farm for the ghost/electric type Pokémon would look like “Domestic Rotom such as myself are bred to possess a desired nature, such as being less mischief-prone and having a preference to possess certain electrical appliances, Rtz!”

Ash frowns “But are you… happy? You haven’t been like, enslaved or mindwashed?” He realises how silly it sounds to ask Rotom that, considering those who’re mindwashed don’t tend to admit it to those who aren’t supposed to know. Rotom’s screen changes to that of some lengthy word-dense article Ash doesn’t even pretend to read, and continues to talk “There is nothing forcing me to remain bonded to the phone! Should I want to leave, I can.” At this RotomPhone places itself carefully on the floor before him, and a Rotom pops out, startling Pikachu. “Rtz!” It exclaims, and Ash recons its saying something along the lines of ’Tah-dah!’

Point proven, Rotom reabsorbs itself into the phone. Its face reappears on the display screen as the phone leaps back up into the air to hover before Ash once more. “I am fulfilled by my role, and can even say I am proud to be of service to such a kind-hearted, well-regarded League Champion as yourself! I have access to information provided by the internet to occupy myself with and you provide ample more data for me just by accompanying you on your day-to-day!”

It's a small relief to Ash to hear all of such from Rotom itself, and it removes one thing from his growing list of concerns and worries. He smiles at the Pokémon “That’s great, I’m glad! Well, whilst me and Pikachu are training today do you mind observing? We’ve been battling together for a long time but we’re always happy to hear if someone’s got any advice for us- I say you can never stop learning and improving!”

Rotom makes an especially pleased buzzing sound as it spins in the air “Right you are! It’d be my pleasure, Rtz! I’ve access to notes on both your and Champion Wataru’s styles of battle, and used yesterday’s battle with Kiawe as a further opportunity to familiarise myself! I’ll do the best I can to help!” At that it whizzes up and to the side, hovering above them as if a drone to watch over the training, both out of obedience and genuine anticipation. Ash smiles somewhat up at the Pokémon, before turning his attention downwards to face his partner. “Whatcha thinking for a warmup, buddy? Jerks?”

‘You’re funny’ Pikachu drawls sarcastically before breaking into a snap sprint, and Ash kicks himself into gear to try and keep up with the Electric type.

The morning’s training is nothing special- just general drills and exercises to get them back into the swing of battle, like warming up a muscle after a period of disuse. It hasn’t even been a week since the exhibition match at the Manalo Conference, Pikachu reminds him, so it’s not like they’re in any way out of practice. If anything, they’re still recovering from it- the battle with Tapu Koko was especially draining, and although in nearly all regards Pikachu is back to his usual healthy self, Ash pays half a mind to the fact a battle with Lance could be just as intense and demanding of Pikachu’s power and energy reserves. This is especially the case with them using Pikachu’s Z-Move. Still, that’s no excuse to slack- moreso something to consider tactically.

They go back inside at 11 for a break and an early lunch, and so they can bring some of the others out for training after a quick review from Rotom. Ash had hardly even finished making his lunch before he’s scoffing it down whilst Rotom drones on excitedly. As expected, it’s not really saying anything new to Ash, but it’s always good to voice your plans and thoughts out loud to consolidate and solidify them. He knows Lance better than he knows most of the other Champions, but he’s less knowledgeable on the specifics of his actual battling style.

He fights not to drone out Rotom’s advice, knowing it could be valuable, but he’d never been one to take a more scientific approach to battling. He’s not the impulsive child he once was, though, so he can easily admit it has its place, and that’s usually before a particularly tricky battle where raw instinct isn’t guaranteed to be all he needs to come out victorious. He thinks he does think a lot more strategically now, besides the spur-of-the-moment impossible plans he’s known to come up with, but he reckons it’s subconscious at this point. He recalls how odd it was hearing Sawyer talk about battling so analytically, especially when Ash found he somehow already knew about everything Sawyer was saying, despite never having had a similarly studious approach. It was mostly all instinctual, to him.

Burnet and Kukui make their way up from the downstairs lab, presumably spurred to have their own break after hearing Ash and the Pokémon’s chattering upstairs. Burnet flops onto the sofa in a truly dramatic fashion, hand subconsciously cradling her stomach as she props her head on the armrest.

Professor Kukui only stops to grab a shake of some sort from out of the fridge- some overly-healthy mix that Ash always wrinkles his nose at whenever he catches Kukui blending it- and strides to the front door. “Alright, I’m popping out to the shops, Ash you wanna come with?” Kukui calls out, and Ash shakes his head despite not being in the Professor’s line of sight .

“No thanks! I’ll stay with Professor Burnet.” He emphasises the point by taking the remains of his lunch to sit at the other end of the sofa to Burnet, balancing the plate on one of his thighs. Kukui smiles approvingly as he grabs a carrier bag from the cupboard by the door and toes on his shoes. As discussed with Ash, RotomPhone wizzes Professor Kukui’s way and hovers about him, waiting until they’re outside before it starts prattling off advice.

Burnet hardly even lifts her head as she calls “Oh and remember to buy the-“ “Piki Bits, honey roast flavour, yeah I know.” Kukui calls back adoringly, before the door slams shut behind him.

There’s a beat of calm silence as Ash chews through the bite of the wrap he made. He swallows down the food and mutters out quickly before his next bite “100 dalas Professor Kukui forgets the fruit.” And Burnet snorts out a sound that’s more of a huff than a laugh, but to Ash it just sounds very fatigued.

Lycanroc trots over to press a wet nose into her cheek in playful concern. She chuckles, in a lighter mood once broken out of her thoughts, and ruffles his fur “I’m fine, I’m fine. Honestly, all you boys are such worrywarts,” she doesn’t even try to hide her endearment as she glances Incineroar’s way who’s voicing his own concern through glances from the other side of the room “Maybe it’d be best if the baby’s a girl- I’m being terribly outnumbered in this family.”

Family Ash’s Aura repeats as a pleased mantra, panging his heart warmly. “Do you have a preference for the sex of the baby?” He asks for no reason besides curiosity. He half-remembers attending the baby shower of one of his mum’s friends when he was younger back in Pallet Town, and wonders if the Professors’ll have something similar for their baby. Maybe they’ll keep it a secret until it’s born, he knows some people choose to do that too.

Burnet sighs as Lycanroc takes a seat leant up against the arm of the sofa Burnet is still sprawled over so he can accept the pets she offers with the back of her hand “I don’t really care, I just wish for it to be happy and healthy” she begins “But I think I might have a slight preference for it to be a girl- I’ve already got such an amazing son.” her tone is light-hearted as she turns to Ash, giving the safety net to Ash to take it as a little joke, but he finds himself blushing from the overwhelming sincere adoration that she looks at him with. He scratches his arm as he admits sheepishly “I mean, I’ve never had a brother or a sister before, so it’s all the same to me” despite his words, Max and Bonnie come to mind. It feels different to insert himself into this family as an older brother, however. It’s more… homely. Stable. Permanent.

He can’t quite voice it. It’s the difference between a group of kids travelling together and becoming so close you consider yourself family, and the whole of Alola agreeing to refer to Ash as Kukui’s kid alongside committing to live with them through another year and through Burnet’s pregnancy. These are adults starting their own family, and yet Ash somehow has a place in it.

Burnet’s nose crinkles as she smiles even wider, and she reaches up to ruffle a hand through his hair. “How did I ever get so lucky, Hm?”

Ash wonders so too.

They’re back out again not an hour later once Kukui had returned- with the fruit, surprisingly. Burnet insists it’s because he’d stolen the memory she’d lost through the beginnings of her pregnancy brain fog- with the rest of Ash’s Pokémon, stomachs settled from their lunch to get back to training again.

It’s more intense than the morning’s session, with Ash taking a less active and more commanding role to guide Pikachu through the training. He rotates which Pokémon he has going against his partner to keep a constant pressure on Pikachu’s stamina, and ensure he doesn’t get too comfortable in the rhythm of any of their styles. Rowlett complains a little about doing more training than he'd signed up for, considering he’s the only one on the team able to fly and Ash saw how competent Lance’s Dragonite was in the air, yesterday. Dragonite are powerful Pokémon and’re capable of covering great distances, but none are known to demonstrate such speed and precision in the air as Lance’s Dragonite, a sure sign of the hard work they’d both put into training over the years. They can’t let them use their arial advantage to get the edge on Pikachu, even with his own competence in maneuvering through the air.

It's after Pikachu receives a clobbering from Melmetal- who, as a sidenote, Ash is very pleased to see is still improving massively, being the newest and youngest Pokémon on Ash’s team, and who’d only evolved into such an impressive form a couple weeks ago- that he decides they’ll retire for another break. It’s only three thirty, and with no other plans today they’ve plenty more time to get back out and keep training before sundown.

Plus, Pikachu could do with a pick-me-up from the lab’s healing machines downstairs- honestly, there’s way more perks to boarding with Professors than he initially thought. He should’ve thought of doing this years ago, no wonder Gary sped through the Kanto League so quickly.

Rotom is back to rattling off analyses as Pikachu sits downstairs to heal (Ash left him to go upstairs so as not to disturb the Professors’ work) and again nothing new is heard. General swooping statements about his and Pikachu’s training styles he’s heard a dozen times over from previous friends, rivals, and mentors alike, but he still commits to listening.

With a fraction of the waiting time of a Pokémon Centre, Pikachu is back upstairs in tip-top shape, accepting the opportunity for a pseudo-nap at Ash’s side as he once more falls onto the sofa. RotomPhone is in his hands now, Rotom not currently active as Ash scrolls through Instagram lazily.

Seeing the notification numbers he navigates to his DMs. Making it so that only those who Ash follows back could message him was amongst the many things Ash’s friends ensured before he was even given RotomPhone. His messages are limited, with the sub-100 accounts he follows back, a majority of them being general congratulations from old friends that he really should get around to replying to. He goes through his requests to accept those from people he does actually know, and one of the messages catches his attention. Just one sentence, short enough that the preview shows every word without Ash having to first open it. ’Hey, can we call?’ No additional context added, no indicator as to what it’s about or what the tone behind the message is.

It's from Clemont. They haven’t spoken since Ash moved to Alola, which would also explain how he’s trying to contact Ash through Instagram, seeing as Clemont doesn’t have his number. He doesn’t know whether he should be alarmed, or if the Kalosian hadn’t meant for his message to come across as cryptically as it did. He clicks on the message, as if it’ll allude to more than the preview did, but it’s just a blank page bar the message, none coming before it from either of them. The call button taunts Ash from the top corner of the screen.

Ash casts his attention to the time, four-thirty, thinks quickly of the time difference, eleven hours, and contemplates whether its even worth trying to call Clemont now. The message was only sent two hours prior, but that’s no indicator as to whether Clemont’s sleep schedule is so bad such that he’d be awake at half three in the morning.

Instead of pressing the button himself, Ash speaks aloud “Hey… Rotom? Can you call- Audio call Clemont?” RotomPhone shows no signs of registering his hesitation, replying in its usual chipper robotic tones “Of course, Rtz! Now calling: Clemont Volière…” followed by a melodic buzzing that indicates a connection attempting to be made.

The phone rings long enough for Ash to believe it really was a failed shot into the dark, but before he can ask RotomPhone to cancel the call, there’s a click to indicate it’s been picked up. There’s still a long beat of silence- again long enough for Ash to believe he’s making things up and the phone actually just skipped and went to voicemail, or whatever the Instagram equivalent of that is- before there’s a tentative, groggy sounding “…Allô?” His accent is, expectedly, very thick- and almost one Ash misses. With the Eastern regions all having similar dialects, and with Ash having been taught some Galarian during his brief time spent in Kantonian education, Kalos was the first region he really felt like he was learning a new language- and what still sticks with him to this day are the accents. They annunciate vowels and sounds in ways he hadn’t heard prior to journeying there only a year ago. He hasn’t really heard the accent since he left Kalos, and that mixes in with him just generally missing his friend.

“Oh, Salut Clemont!” Ash replies, before wincing at how overly jolly he sounds- to the point it’s almost forced, especially considering what time it is for the Kalosian, so he dials it down a notch and adds placatingly “Sorry, did I wake you up? I just saw your message asking for a call.” He slips back into the fluidity of the language as if he’s spent every day of his life speaking it, like it hasn’t been a year.

“…hm?” Ash can’t really infer much from the net three syllables he’s received so far from the call, but he’d hazard a guess and say Clemont is very tired from having been up so late, and Ash’s call woke him up so he’s still booting his brain back up to lucidity “Oh… no, you didn’t.” huh, nevermind. “Sorry, I really should have told you why I wanted a call, it’s nothing urgent.”

Ash feels a little deflated- embarrassed, almost, for again building something mundane up in his head- and is quick to assure “Ah, sorry! I’ll hang up if you’re busy-“ But he’s cut off with a quick- but still somewhat lethargic sounding- reassurance “No, no, I’m not, was just thinking out loud.”

That shuts Ash up, and the conversation goes still. Since it’s solely Clemont that knows the purpose behind this call, Ash doesn’t really have much to begin with besides a ’so, how are you?’ which sounds entirely lame even to Ash. But Clemont is taking his time formulating what he’ll say, so Ash is left looking helplessly at RotomPhone as it hovers before him, Clemont’s profile picture looking back at him. That picture’s from last year Ash thinks absently. He doesn’t know if that means anything.

“Bonnie’s turning 10 next month.” Clemont says, and that’s not at all the direction Ash was expecting the call to go in, but again, he had no ideas to go off of to begin with “She’s already booked in with Professor Sycamore to get her starter that morning.”

Whatever strange emotion Clemont is holding in, leaking over the phone call in his odd hesitations, does not infect Ash, as he’s suddenly filled with nostalgia. He’s brought back to some seven years ago, when Ash was anticipating his tenth birthday, when he was counting down the days until he’d receive his first Pokémon and get to embark on his journey to become a Pokémon master. Bonnie was never one to withhold the fact that she wanted to become a Pokémon Trainer herself, if anything bemoaning that she wasn’t one yet during their group journey across Kalos. She already has Dedenne- which Ash presumes Clemont will transfer to her before she even receives said starter from Sycamore- and Ash would not be surprised if she hunted down Squishy- not even to catch It, but just to reunite and offer to be a travelling companion to. Ash suspects the Zygarde core might even agree to it, for a while. It’s not like other Legendries where It is the sole being with Its divine role, It’s one of five cores and even more cells. It can afford to have a little side adventure.

“I’m going to throw a surprise party for her the night before.” Clemont says, knocking Ash out of his wistful remembrance to realise he’s remained silent. Clemont’s own voice lightens as he talks of his sister, but it only makes Ash more aware of the odd sense of gravity Clemont has been delivering his words with. “I was going to ask if you could fly out to Kalos, if its not too much to ask. It’s on the 16th. I’ll- uh- cover the costs. I know it would mean a lot to Bonnie. If you were there.” His words are somewhat student and he finishes lamely- almost shy.

Ash doesn’t have to mull it over much “Yeah, of course I’ll come, there’s no need for you to pay! Wow, 10 already? She’s going to be partaking in the League in no time.”

Clemont doesn’t say anything to that. He doesn’t mention how this is the first time they’ve talked since Ash had moved to Alola, he doesn’t mention Ash’s recently bestowed title of Regional Champion, he doesn’t mention that this would be the first time Ash’s back in Kalos, since… everything. Since he lost the League, since Lysandre tried to end the world, since Lysandre was killed. He just hums a reply, sounding distracted.

There’s a pause in the conversation, almost painfully silent against the static of the intercontinental call, and then Clemont blurts out, seemingly in a mix of desperation to keep the conversation going and to get it off of his chest “Serena’s coming too.”

Said as if that’d impact Ash’s answer. He does not dig any deeper into… that, and just replies cheerfully “Of course! It’ll be nice to see her too, it’s felt like so long since I’ve talked to any of you” because it has been. Ash planning to meet up with old friends is rarer than him bumping into them by chance, but he does usually keep up with them somewhat. A call every now and then, checking the news on Leagues and Contests in other regions to look out for old faces.

He was usually best at keeping in contact with those from the previous region when he was onto the next, when they’re most fresh in his mind and easiest to keep track of given it’s been the least amount of time since he’d seen them. His friends from Kalos though… he’d been distracted with repurposing himself in Alola, on trying not to let everything from his past keep building up and up until it finally topples him, the Kalos Crisis pushing him further mentally than he ever had been before.

He hadn’t put in the effort he should have to keep in contact with them.

He can practically hear Clemont fidgeting over the phone. He wasn’t this bad when they were last together? Is Clement nervous? Intimidated? What changed, is there something else he isn’t saying… Ash can’t decipher it “You haven’t seen her since Kalos?”

“Nah” Ash replies matter-of-factly, again outwardly ignoring whatever is happening in Clemont’s head “Well, she’s been in Hoenn, right? Besides a school trip to Kanto I haven’t left Alola since I arrived like nearly a year ago.” Haven’t called her, either. Haven’t made any effort to check out Hoenn’s Contests like you did for Dawn and May.

He hears a faint disbelieving “School trip” from Clemont, muttered to himself so that the phone speakers struggle to pick up the sound, but Clemont seems to shake himself back out of whatever is distracting his mind and replies more determinedly “Well, I’ll pick you both up from the airport then, since it’ll be a surprise for Bonnie- Oh, uh…” Again Clemont’s voice turns unsure of himself, and he loses whatever had gotten him out of his supposed mood “That’s assuming you both land at the same time, of course, and since you’re coming from different sides of the world…”

“Is Serena still in Hoenn?” Ash asks, curious. He knows not everyone speeds through regions like his travelling group does, but Serena had a goal in mind- taking part in Contests- and if the current season is over and she’s exhausted all the competitions there, Ash would have thought she’d either return to Kalos for a little or move on to the next region. “I- uh” Clemont stammers “I didn’t ask.”

Ash laughs a little, hoping it doesn’t sound as fitful as he thinks it does “Stop stressing, Clemont! I’ll text her and see where she’s coming from and try coordinating it so that we arrive at roughly the same time. Speaking of, you got a time frame in mind?”

“Uh-uh” The Gym Leader stutters, and Ash doesn’t know whether to be endeared or concerned by how all-over the place he seems. Clemont had always been a little bit skittish, but if anything his self-confidence had increased over the time Ash spent in Kalos, rather than diminish as it seems to have done now. It’s seeming less like it’s because of the hour it is in Kalos, the grogginess that hugged the corners of his voice having retreated by now, and more like he’s nervous to be on call. Ash doesn’t know if it’s something he did, but he’s not going to address it. Every problem is not a problem that needs to be fixed. Stop trying to take control of the conversation. He just hasn’t spoken to you in a while.

“Well, I know it’ll be a long journey for you, so I was thinking you could come the day before so you’ve got time to rest from the flight before seeing Bonnie?” Clemont suggests, sounding fraughtly hopeful. Does he think Ash’ll shoot him down? Just say no to the whole idea? “That sounds like a good idea! I’ll look into booking some tickets soon,” he’s not brash enough to do it now. The thought strikes him that he doesn’t even know for sure if he can go. Diantha had her own agent, didn’t she? Because she was so busy with everything expected of her, including her roles as a Champion. What if something’s expected of him to do or attend to during Bonnie’s birthday? “I’ll double check to see if I’m free, but I’ll one-hundred-percent come if I can! I can’t wait.”

Clemont grumbles to himself, and it barely makes it through the static of the call, but Ash finds himself smirking at it. He sounds like Bonnie. “I know it’s kinda last minute, but Bonnie’ll be glad to hear you wanted to come if you couldn’t, either way.” He sounds somewhere between dejected and bitter, although Ash has to fight against the mask he has up to even discern that. Guilt niggles at Ash that drives him with enough conviction to say “I will make it. The League couldn’t stop me if they tried- I’ll make some boring diplomatic statement about strengthening relations between League regions as an excuse if I gotta.” They might have the initiative to stop him from going to Kalos, though Ash doesn’t voice that

The scoff that comes from Clemont is more genuine that time, and he sounds more his old self. “Well I-uh. I’ll get in touch with Serena. I haven’t talked to her since…” his voice stunts and trails off at that, and Ash knows exactly the words he’s failing to voice. It’s almost comforting, to talk to someone who gets it, again. He’s got sympathy from those who knew, empathy from those who had been in Kalos, but the crowd of people who’d actually gone through the worst of the Crisis with Ash is a small group he hasn’t talked to since.

“Me neither.” Ash says softly, subconsciously slotting himself back into the subtle role of reassurer and leader. “Keep in touch, yeah Clemont? Not just regarding the details for our meetup.” He says in what he hopes isn’t a forceful or intrusive manner, and he hears a shaking hum from Clemont in confirmation. “It was nice to hear from you, Clemont.”

“You too, Ash.” He says, but as Ash is reaching out to press the End Call button, he’s interrupted by what sounds to be an impulsive last comment “Oh and- um. Congratulations on winning the League.” Clemont mutters out, then, an even quieter “A-Allez- Salut, Ash.” And he ends the call.

Ash allows himself a warmer feeling to overtake the muted confusion he’s wielded over the conversation.

True to his internal words, instead of tormenting himself via social media in bed that night, he instead uses RotomPhone to look a little more into pregnancy symptoms and how to help Burnet through them, Pikachu showing enough interest to stay awake long enough to read alongside him. Both of them are painfully uninformed on what human pregnancy and childbirth is like, and both of them love and want to support Burnet however they can.

He fears the rabbit-hole of researching he ends up committing to is far worse than anything he could do to himself through social media, and he has a new horrified appreciation for Professor Burnet, his mum, and all other mothers he knows.

“What are we going to Kahuna Hala’s for, though?” Ash asks. Kukui had of course informed him over dinner on Wednesday that he was planning to head to the Kahuna’s on the Saturday and suggested Ash come with him, but it’s only now that they’re on the way to Ike town that he’s actually questioning the why.

With Ash being turned to Kukui as they walk, he’s able to notice the way a slight subconscious scowl befalls the Professor’s face “It’s about the Gym System. I had to get permissions from all of the Kahunas prior to finalising the deal with the League, but it’s only now that Kahuna Hala is starting to backtrack, and if he does the rest will follow.”

Ash hums and looks forwards. Is this some of the mediator-stuff Lance had talked about on Thursday? Could this be what the argument was about? “The Gym System as in, like, choosing Gym Leaders and the Elite Four?”

Ash had never been around to witness a League be established from scratch in a new region, let alone whilst in such a position of power within that region. He has no idea what the process really is like, and he’d only had a surface level introduction between Lance and Misty on what it takes to become a Gym Leader, let alone having to pick out eight of them “Yeah, amongst other things” Kukui confirms “We have to actually build the Gyms, commission and sort the production of Gym Badges, establish an Elite Four. But that’s not the only reason we’re here, I was also going to offer for him to commentate for you guys’ battle tomorrow.”

Ash’s eyebrows raise “Oh! Is the Kahuna going to commentate on my behalf? Lance said he’d asked for Misty to represent him.” He gets a brief glance from Kukui as he takes note of what Ash says, before he hums slightly and shakes his head, looking mildly guilty “Sorry Keiki, I’d already asked Professor Oak to represent you- you’re okay with that right?” Ash nods his head in confirmation, and Kukui smiles at the boy, before setting his gaze ahead again.

“He’d requested to. Something about a mix between an exchange for using the school grounds, and as a farewell to you since you’re not attending the school next year.” Whether he’d stay enrolled in the Pokémon School next year was one of the first questions Kukui had asked once Ash confirmed he was staying in Alola. At least after the half-hidden celebration he’d had with Professor Burnet over the Kantonian’s prolonged stay.

“He also said he ‘knew enough about the boy to sell him as a tough component’” A smile spreads across Kukui’s face that twists at the corners of his mouth as if he was trying to push it down “Apparently, he wants to make you seem intimidating to Lance to ’throw him off’. I didn’t have the heart to tell him you both already knew each other quite well. Although I imagine he’d have figured it out come the start of the match.”

“Oh! That’s nice, though.” Ash comments, also smiling at the image “So then… why Kahuna Hala?”

Kukui’s face drops a little “Well, I’m not even entirely sure he’s going to accept- it’s a complete shot in the dark.” He admits. “He’s… not too keen on the League at the best of times, and outright offended by it at worst. But if we can get him on board to show his support in some way, then Alola will see that the introduction to the League is not an insult to our culture. If Hala shows some support, the Kahuna most known for upholding Alolan traditions, then many who’re… sceptical will follow.”

Ash’s eyes direct downwards as he thinks. What was it that the article had said about Kukui? That he's trying to introduce the League to replace and eradicate Alolan Culture and the Island Trials? Perhaps he’s right, that Kahuna Hala’s support will be seen as a bridge: a reason for more traditional Alolans to not see the League in a hostile light. But still something nags at Ash’s mind, the fear that this could make things worse of all things- he’s become more cautious and on edge regarding trying to mediate and appease to the public.

Maybe he’s just a coward, maybe he just has the urge to ignore the problem in hopes it’ll go away on its own. He’d always been the kind of person to act first, to tackle the problem at the root and talk people out of it, show them that they’re wrong, but he feels out of his depth here. There isn’t a single person or organisation he has to persuade, but rather dozens of people scattered across the globe, who refuse to believe him anyways. This isn’t his area of expertise, he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do to make things better, despite his urge to do so.

But if Kukui thinks it’s a good idea, Ash’ll go along with it.

“Okay.”

As they approach Kahuna Hala’s residency Ash notices a girl hanging around Ike Town that he does not recognise. That’s not to say he knows everyone ever on every Alolan island, but she stands out to him. She’s definitely not Alolan, but she doesn’t have anything about her that screams tourist, either. She’s short with tanned skin, clothes and accessories all orange, white, and black: her outfit consists of short shorts and a crop-top over a black undershirt, a knee brace and a sleeveless glove, tied together with a bow to hold her short Ash-blond hair back. Her clothes are splattered with a few foreign logos Ash doesn’t recognise, her feet are bare and her eyes are sharp and calculating.

As Ash and Kukui walk through the town and up to the Kahuna’s residence, she regards them sceptically, especially Ash. He turns his gaze away and focusses on where he and Kukui are headed.

They don’t have to wait long after knocking at Hala’s door for the Kahuna to open it. If he’s surprised to see them he doesn’t show it, and he performs a short dip of his head in greeting before standing aside to let the both of them in. Ash and Kukui thank him readily for his hospitality as they enter, removing their shoes and following Hala across his wooden flooring to a low table at the other end of the house. Ash thinks even Halas house feels somewhat spiritual, feeling a calm sense of power thrum through him, and he politely takes a seat on his knees beside Kukui and opposite Hala.

Hardly a word has been exchanged between any of them. Hala calmly sips at a herbal tea- Ash reaches for the one in front of him and finds it’s hot. How Hala had known exactly when to brew them so they’d be ready at the perfect time is beyond him- and shows no signs that he’ll be the one to start the conversation.

Kukui takes a deep breath in, looking almost as if he’s preparing to drive a knife into his own gut, before he asks in one outwards breath “We would like to extend the honour of commentating on Ash’s Inter-League Champion battle tomorrow against Champion Lance to you, Kahuna Hala.” It almost sounds rehearsed, and Ash wouldn’t be especially surprised if it was. He knows Kukui has an odd relationship with his former mentor.

Hala doesn’t respond, Kukui keeps talking, pulling his best authoritative-and-put-together act out “This is Ash’s first proper match as a Champion, and- as he acts as an extension of Alola in regard to the League- this is a massive first impression to the world for Alola. There is no one I, and many other Alolans, think is more fit to represent Alola alongside him than you.”

Still met with silence, Kukui continues “Not a lot will be required of you, there’s some commentation before the battle starts to build up anticipation, and you are then free to or to not comment on the battle as it happens. You have a lot of wisdom to impart, and our commentary will be translated and broadcasted worldwide. This is a highly anticipated battle.”

This time, as Hala remains quiet, Kukui does too, staring him down. Ash glances back and forth, feeling more a helpless observer than a Champion. Kukui looks determined, something else hidden back in his eyes, something more complicated, but Hala is unreadable. Ash, in having met many characters over his years travelling, would be lying if he said he was put off by Hala’s regarding silence, but he still feels the need to sit a little straighter in the Kahuna’s company.

Again, he recalls some of what he read of the article a few days ago. Kukui was once training to become a Kahuna, but rejected it and much of Alola’s cultures. Ash can understand why Hala is disdainful towards Kukui introducing the League. It brings up a lot of bad memories, bad memories that do not shed the Professor in a good light. To the Kahuna it must seem like a repeat of the past, that Kukui wants to overrule the Island Challenge with foreign ideals and traditions, and wants to remove the cultural significance of the Totem Pokémon and Z-Crystals by making Alola a hotspot for tourists to come to to train and get stronger. People who would not respect Alola, that would only partake in the Island Challenge to get brutely stronger, not to learn and uphold the messages behind them. Just because Ash believes it not to be true, doesn’t mean Kahuna Hala has the same faith in Kukui to not repeat past mistakes.

Ash knows he’s met many people that Hala would hate to have the League attract to Alola. People who only saw Pokémon training as a means to improve raw strength- not as a bond between Pokémon or a respect for one another outside of battle. Ash believes that’s why Alola should become more open to those who are foreign. So perhaps those Trainers can learn when they come to Alola, to become better people and better Trainers because of it. Some people may never change, but an additional perspective may just be what some of them need. To unlearn the crueller ways they’d been taught or convinced of.

Finally, Hala speaks “Coating words in diplomacy won’t hide their intentions from me, Kukui.” Even though he’s not spoken to, Ash feels chastised, and scrunches his shoulder up, feeling Kukui’s own feelings towards being reprimanded bleeding into him. He doesn’t want any arguments between them, and has always known Hala to be civil, but Kukui has a certain hot-headedness about him regarding things he’s passionate about, and Ash wonders if he’s expected to speak up to stop Kukui snapping something he’ll regret. He wonders if that’s the reason he was brought around, to be a mediator. Something bitter stews at the thought. He sips his tea, allowing Pikachu a taste when the Pokémon shows a subdued curiosity.

Kukui lets a breath through his nose, chewing his lower lip into his mouth. “Kahuna…” he’s either searching for what to say, or biting back what he wants to say because he pauses for a long time here. Ash’s confliction towards interrupting and Hala’s own patience means no one else jumps to fill the silence. “I mean no harm to Alola.” Kukui settles on a little lamely, although his eyes are alight with honest determination.

“To follow: your intentions do not condone their outcomes, Kukui.” Hala continues, and already Ash can feel Kukui’s restraint on his temper waning. Never has he been this quick to frustrate when teaching, and Ash reasonably recons it’s something reserved for Hala.

Kukui’s acutely reminded of his past when faced with Hala, and whatever apparent failures he associates with it. Failure to follow Hala’s spirituality to become a potential Kahuna, failure to save Guzma’s moral decline that led to Team Skull, failure to civilly bring Eastern practices of the Pokémon League to Alola the first time around. Ash rather thinks Kukui doesn’t suit being a Kahuna- even Oliva, who’s perhaps the closest in personality to Kukui, possess a spirituality and religion that Kukui does not. He suits being a Professor, a Teacher, the Masked Royal. But Ash knows how disappointing it can be to genuinely work towards becoming something and failing.

It was likely for the best he never won the League in Kalos, as it meant he came to Alola, but no one in the world could have persuaded him of such a year ago. He would have spent a lot more time stewing in his failure to win the League when he was the closest he’d ever been- felt the most deserving of the title than he ever had before- if he wasn’t busy stewing in the failures he’d performed throughout the Crisis that followed instead.

“So you believe my intentions to be good?” Kukui begins, attempting reason with Hala, to slowly unravel the conflictions between them rather than brute force through it. Hala nods once, a slow deep movement. “Then why do you not take my words as genuine? I want to come to an agreement with you, as two adults. Please stop treating me as if I were insolent, or attempting an attack on Alola, then.”

Hala takes another slow sip of his tea, and if Ash didn’t know the Kahuna any better, he’d consider the fact Hala was drawing out his answers just to piss Kukui off. In a mirror of Hala’s words, regardless of the intentions behind his actions they do, in fact, succeed in pissing Kukui off. “Your wills were not ill when you were younger, either. That does negate the fact you had to be placated and held back.”

“I’m not a child anymore, I’m no longer the immature fool I was.” Kukui grits out the self-critique bitterly in his attempt to appease Hala, and as a byproduct Ash finds himself gritting his own teeth at the stray he’d caught. Ash’s now the same age Kukui was at the time, and so Ash is too a recipient of the insult. It won’t folly his opinion of Kukui- as an adult that fully respects Ash despite his childlike nature and appearance- but it doesn’t stop the fact it hits a small sore spot. He hates it when he’s seen as lesser due to his age.

Kahuna Hala hums, an agreement, mulling his words over further before he speaks again. Pikachu drops onto Ash’s lap in the break, and he smooths his hand over the fur on the Pokémon’s back, placating himself. He thinks Kukui needs Pikachu more right now than Ash does, though.

“I want to see you succeed and achieve your dreams, Kukui” Hala begins “You have my approval to do so- you have Tapu Koko’s own.” Ash is reminded of the exhibition match he’d had with Kukui, of how Tapu Koko had eagerly jumped in to take Kukui’s last Pokémon’s place in the battle. Ash recons a lot of it was because of Its will to battle Ash one last time before he was officially granted the title of Champion, but to battle alongside Kukui like that the Professor would also have to have had Its approval of the League and of Kukui himself. Surely Hala doesn’t wish to contradict Tapu Koko’s will, as his partner and the Diety his religion is based upon? “But that does not mean you have my blessing to do whatever you want at the potential detriment of Alolan culture.”

Ash feels like this isn’t just about commentating on his battle, anymore. He knows it never was, really, but Hala’s words are heavy, and they seem to be hitting Kukui hard. Ash hopes his reasoning regarding Tapu’s approval translates to the fact Kahuna Hala doesn’t harshly defy Kukui on all regards.

Kukui’s frustration reads as him not seeing it that way. “I just want to work with you to reach a solution that everyone’s happy with and that betters Alola.”

“One’s idea of better is not universal, Kukui.” Hala repeats grandly, and Ash can feel Kukui’s urge to pull his hair out so acutely he has to stop himself from doing the same. “I have put so much work into this, Hala. You agreed with me only a month ago, as did the other Kahunas. I have been fighting against the League to ensure that the Island Challenges not only are not discontinued, but that they remain untouched!”

“If that’s the case perhaps you should step back once more, Kukui, and truly consider whether the League is as honourable as you preach. The idea of their corruption is not new, and I won’t let it folly Alola’s heart.”

Kukui is perhaps seconds away from leaping across the table when a calm knock at the door echoes about the house. Kukui flinches at it, freezing in place. Eyes shift to the front door, but no one disturbs the limbo set in place by the interference.

The door slowly creaks open, and Ash is surprised to see the girl he’d seen lurking around Ike Town pop her head around it. He wonders briefly whether she’s a threat, tensing up in preparation, but both Pikachu and his own gut feeling- his Aura- remains calm, so he forces himself to be so too. Although she does not seem unsure of herself, she does not force herself into their space, demanding it as her own.

“Come in, girl.” Hala calls calmly, as if he hadn’t just been in a very heated very personal argument, and Kukui flinches back again as if hit, sitting further back in his seat with brewing disdain. Pikachu takes the opportunity to move from Ash’s lap to Kukui’s and to his relief the Professor takes the hint and begins patting down the Pokémon’s back, self-soothing himself in the face of a young stranger. She’s around Ash’s age, a little older if he had to guess. What surprises him is the thick Galarian accent that comes from her mouth as she speaks, clearly her native tongue, an accent he hadn’t heard in person until today.

“My name is Bea” she introduces herself “I am a Trainer and martial-artist from Galar and my aim is to battle and defeat proficient Fighting-Type Trainers from around the world.” Ash’s eyes slide back over to Hala. He seems happy enough to allow the interruption.

Hala huffs, bringing his hands to his knees and stands up in a slow smooth motion. “Bea, was it? And you’ve come to battle me?”

The girl nods, bowing her head “I learnt of the Alola region and its traditions recently” her eyes flick to Ash’s only briefly, before they turn back downcast and she holds them there out of respect “I ask that you make an exception for me, being not a Trail Goer, as I wish for a battle to learn from you and improve myself and my Pokémon.” Ash almost has to laugh at the irony.

Hala hums, mulling over her words. It’s a sign of his character that he doesn’t let Kukui’s spitting comments from moments ago influence how he approaches this new but parallel conversation “It is not often I’m challenged by a young Trainer not enrolled in our Island Trials, but it is also not often that a Trainer with such aspirations as your own wouldn’t be enrolled.” he pauses again, still thinking, and Bea raises her head but doesn’t move from where she is, determined eyes boring into Hala’s. He turns back to Ash and Kukui, regarding the both of them critically as if searching something, before he turns back to Bea. Despite the Aura that would usually give him an advantage in these scenarios, Ash cannot catch neither wind nor tail of what Hala was searching for in them, and whether he found it or not, even when he makes a conscious effort to probe Hala for it “Tell me, what is it of the Alolan Traditions that you learnt that gave you the incentive to travel here?”

Bea nods to him, and continues speaking, eyes and face betraying nothing but determination and muted respect “I learnt of the kindness and connection you share with your Pokémon- of the strong bonds you uphold and how closely the Kahunas and your people interact with your Deities. It is honourable. I wish to learn from your way of life- what others may consider to be lax- and how it earns you the respect of Tapu Koko- a guardian spirit also known for Its affinity for combat. I believe there is much to learn from travelling and learning of different customs and methods, and if I want to become the strongest fighting-type Trainer and martial artist, I must train with my Pokémon, and learn all there is to learn.”

Hala digests her small speech, arms crossed and unmoving as he listened. Ash thinks anxiously that they’re very alike, in that regard. Both staring each other down, both not moving more than necessary “I will battle you,” Ash feels Kukui balk at that from beside him, and knows he probably reacts a similar way “under certain conditions. You must stay in Alola for some time- a week at the very least- and learn of our culture, traditions, and our way of life first hand. Then, I might grant you a battle.”

Bea bows again, only a short motion this time “It would be an honour. But may I request my own condition” her eyes turns sharper “That in our battle, you are to use a Z-move despite myself not having access to such power, or any adjacent mechanics.” With what understanding Bea’s hinted towards having regarding Alolan traditions, she must understand the significance of using Z-Moves in battle, and how uncustomed the practice may be for a Kahuna to use outside any sort of Island Trial battle.

Hala doesn’t respond, regarding Bea now in a thick silence. Her gaze does not faulter. After the silence begins to strength on long enough for Ash and Kukui to grow antsy, Bea continues, not visibly affected by Hala’s eyes on her “I’m aware such a technique holds significance to Alola and those who use it beyond just its power in battle, and I not only want to learn, respect, and understand this significance, but I also want to battle you at your strongest. I am not to truly improve if I battle opponents who pull their punches.”

Hala again doesn’t answer straight away, but he hums, contemplative. When his words come, they’re slow and deliberate, spoken as if they hold great significance “I sense a real passion in you, child. Alright. You study here under my watch, learn about Alola and Z-Energy, of its significance and how to respect it, listen to the teachings I have to offer, and in exchange I will grant you a battle. I accept your conditions.”

Bea nods “And I accept yours, I thank you for the opportunity you’ve given me.”

“You must pardon me.” Hala begins, raising a hand to gesture to Ash and Kukui behind him, and again Ash can feel Kukui tense at being addressed by the Kahuna, fighting on whether to make himself smaller to hide from potential scrutiny, or to posture himself such that his word is taken seriously “I must finish speaking with my two guests here. If you’d be so kind as to wait outside, I’ll come out to talk about arrangements for you once I’m done. I shouldn’t be long.” The implication’s almost insulting.

“Of course.” Bea responds, bowing once more as she exits, sparing Ash another glance just before she does. Ash can’t parse anything from it, but he’s sure she must at the very least recognise him, despite her eyes still holding a glaring curiosity. He doesn’t know how to feel about it. It reminds him of when he’d face off powerful people in the past- people who are not necessarily strong through battle, but rather through the knowledge they possess. Psychics, Champions, those corrupt and members of underground schemes. It’s the feeling of someone he doesn’t know looking at him as if they know him. Now, there’s a perfectly mundane explanation to Bea knowing who he is, but because he’s not yet familiarised to it, it sets something wary off in him. Even then, powerful doesn’t necessarily mean dangerous, but with how much Ash is used to being in the loop, he feels distinctly out of place and cautious when he isn’t.

Hala remains standing as he watches the girl leave, only once she’s out of the building and earshot does he turn back to the two remaining guests in his house and slowly sit back down amongst them.

There is again a pause in the conversation, before Kukui begins, cautiously. “I did not expect you to accept the request.” There’s a mix between awe and infuriation in his words, although the latter is predominantly spoken through the sharpness of his gaze.

Hala looks up to Kukui, silently requesting he expand that thought. The Professor sighs, and some tension leaves his frame. “You’ve always been so… strict on who could battle you even amongst those who were enrolled in the Island Trials” Kukui rolls the wrist that’s holding his cup of tea, the wrist his Z-ring sits on, looking distantly irritated “For you to accept someone not only from outside of Alola, not only from someone not enrolled in the trials, but from someone who said they hadn’t even heard of Alola until recently. You’ve been so vocally against me introducing Alola to the world through the League, so what’s this?”

Hala sighs, looking down at the table before speaking “You have brought the League into our region. The best way for me to combat it and keep our traditions alive is to spread them beyond the confines of Alola.” Ash notices this only seems to ruffle Kukui’s feathers more as his back turns more rigid, but Hala continues “Plus, the girl was respectful. She seemed not only willing, but passionate to learn about my- and thus Alola’s- style of training. She had a youthful, determined flame, and an honourable heart. I see the fiery life of Alola in her eyes.” Hala’s attention shifts briefly to Ash, and he knows it’s a silent admittance that he viewed Ash the same, too, when he was still new to Alola.

“And you knew that from an interaction that wasn’t even five minutes?” Kukui asks back with a bit of a snappy tone, and Ash remains quiet as he tentatively looks back to Hala. The Kahuna’s demeanour does not shift. He seems patient but strict, someone always seeking to teach those he speaks to a spiritual lesson. Ash can kind of get how Kukui would grow impatient learning under the Kahuna’s wing, he thinks they’re both very different, both in and out of battle. “I knew what I saw was potential. I will be able to fully judge her character and intent- and thus whether she is worthy of a battle- after I observe and teach her for a week. If she fails to qualify, but is truly as driven to learn as she says she is, then she will stay until she is ready. If not, then she is not disciplined and thus not yet deserving.”

Kukui stares at Hala, stewing for a little bit, before something in him seems to just fizzle out, and his shoulders melt as he releases a deep long breath. “Alright. Well, I apologise for wasting your time with my dishonourable League-“

As the Professor begins to stand up, Hala shakes his head “Sit down, Kukui, I was not done.”

Kukui freezes in a half-stood stance. Eyes flickering over Hala’s form suspiciously, before he slowly lowers himself back down to the floor. Hala takes his tea and sips it, moving at a leisurely pace, and Ash notices Kukui clenching and unclenching his fist under the table to stop himself from snapping “I agree to join you in commentating on Ash’s battle” Kukui freezes.

“Really?” The young Champion asks, grin suddenly plastered on his face as he breaks the tense atmosphere to elate. Hala looks to the boy and smiles, before turning back to Kukui “Ash represents many of the values Alola prides itself on, despite he himself being foreign” Kukui doesn’t have the time to misinterpret and become defensive of his boarder as Hala continues talking “I wish to support and guide him in spreading the values of Alola across the world. To complain about your League disrupting our traditions without doing my part to keep them alive myself is complacent and hypocritical. I will be there.”

“Alright!” Ash cheers, as Kukui looks at Hala a little bewildered. Hala ignores the Professor to smile at Ash “I really want to make Alola proud.” Ash beams at the Kahuna, now free to put his piece into the conversation and hoping he’s able to respectfully will the tension in the room to dispense “I know how important the Island Trials and traditions are to you and other Alolans: and likewise, the Leagues have always been super important to me. If there’s anything I’ve learnt in my travels, it’s that sharing and learning from each other is one of the best things you can do to improve yourself!”

Perhaps it may have even been Bea that swayed Hala’s mind, or perhaps the argument had been a test, a way to prove his point before considering accepting. Alola becoming a League Region is a good thing Ash pushes silently. It means people living here have the chance to meet new travellers from different regions, to learn of their ways of life, too- just like Bea is doing, just like what you said was so honourable about her.

Hala digests Ash’s words, and nods “Truly, I never fail to be amazed by the Tapu’s intuition. Tapu Koko saw you as a bright future for Alola in your ability to be the bridge between us and other regions. You have carried out your role well.”

Ash simply smiles, refusing to think too much about the Kahuna implying he was chosen by yet another Diety- which he was, again, wasn’t he?- and Kukui looks a little shocked, but the Professor shakes his head “I- well thank you so much, Kahuna, it’s an honour, and I’m sure Alolans will be thrilled to have such a respectable figurehead representing Ash in such an important battle.” He falls back into a more diplomatic tone to cover whatever rush of emotions he’s going through, and Ash calms himself down to match, having been caught up in his own excited relief.

Hala nods “Of course, after all Ash has done for us.” He does not go into greater detail, leaving the words hanging.

“Right, well, I’ll send you some details later.” Kukui says “I still need to talk to you about some things regarding the League, but I feel as if we should get going for now. Afterall, you have a new student waiting for you.”

“Yes, and you take care of yours.” Hala says, nodding his head to Ash, voice loaded with a grandeur he often adopts when his speech becomes more spiritual. Kukui takes it in stride and nods though, bowing his head slightly in thanks as he stands up, Ash doing the same in a much more emphasised fashion. They take their leave, emerging into the Alolan sunlight that awaits them outside of Hala’s house, alongside Bea.

She turns to them, arms folded, as they come out, and Ash grins at her, jumping right into a proposition “Hey, after you battle the Kahuna, can we please have our own battle?” Pikachu steps from Kukui’s shoulder to Ash’s, taking the opportunity to stand themselves as partners in front of a potential new rival.

Bea calmly looks Ash up and down, evaluating him, before she looks into his eyes, neither scowling nor smiling, but she gives a slight nod “We’ll see.”

Ash sees that as good enough to take her words as acceptance and he grins back at her “Great! I can’t wait! And good luck, the Kahuna’s crazy strong, don’t underestimate him!”

Bea nods again, eyes softening slightly “Of course, and I wish you well in your battle against Champion Lance.”

Ash tries not to show how he’s a little caught off guard by that- it’s public knowledge, of course, and trending at that- but it still feels off. This girl is a stranger to him, and yet she already knows about him, and Ash has no idea just how much she knows. Did she hear about Alola through the League? She at the very least knows he’s Champion. How much does she respect him- does she take him seriously? Where do her opinions of him lie on the spectrum he’s seen online. Is she rooting for or against him? Does she see him as a worthy opponent? Ugh! It drives him mad!

He doesn’t grumble as they begin their way back home, but it’s a near thing. It’s only once they’re outside Ike Town that he looks up to Kukui and asks “What was the other stuff you said you had to talk to Kahuna Hala about regarding the League?” He knows Kukui had said before that it was something about constructing the Gym System, but Ash wants to know the specifics, including how it involves Kahuna Hala.

“Oh,” Kukui mutters, suddenly being dragged out of his own thoughts “right, well, you know by now that you gotta collect eight Gym Badges to compete in Major Official Leagues, yeah?” Ash nods, smiling a little at the idea that he could have made it this far without knowing “Well, when I had initially been trying to establish a League in Alola, I had gotten the approval from each of the Kahunas to establish the Gyms throughout the region alongside the Trial Sites after the Manalo Conference, and for the four of them to become the initial acting Elite Four. However, come when I actually got the approval from the League, and had already begun building the Manalo Stadium, Kahuna Hala withdrew his consent for the establishment of Gyms, Kahuna Hapu soon following and then the two of them plus Nanu withdrew consent to become members of the Elite Four.”

“Oh” Ash says, sadly. “So you need to reconvince him?” It adds a lot of context to the arguing he’d sat through, although he’d had a good idea through guessing at the time. Still, maybe he could have helped a little more if he knew beforehand. He doubts it, though. He’s good at mediating through reasoning with feelings, but diplomacy is a little lost on him- let alone between two people with so much history.

Kukui rubs his face “That’s the thing, I know I won’t be able to. He is stubborn and spiritual, and infuriating. His mind is set on this, and it would take the Tapu spelling it out in Alolan to him to change his mind.”

Ash thinks it’s not going to be that hard. Although he’s definitely on the same side as Kukui, he can see where Hala’s coming from. The traditions of Alola are important, not just culturally, but also in the face of protecting Alola by keeping the Tapu appeased and protecting sacred sites that gift power to Totem Pokémon.

Even though it’s his own culture, Ash can understand Hala’s discomfort with Eastern battling practices coming to Alola through the League. He’s met plenty of people who’re a product of it- himself having been one too when he was much younger, far too harsh and disrespectful and only caring for the strength of a Pokémon rather than more nuanced aspects like their feelings and connection with the world around them. That had only really been when he was nine, though, becoming more deeply invested in battle-heavy styles of Pokémon training leading up to him receiving his starter. But even then he wasn’t that bad- years spent adventuring through the wild areas surrounding Pallet Town and befriending the Pokémon he found there as a little kid couldn’t be easily undone.

Ash agrees that Hala is stubborn and spiritual, but he also believes Hala not only has the right to be, but is probably also in the right to be so. Alola’s attitude towards Pokémon and battling is the best Ash’s ever encountered- at least in his well-travelled, humble opinion- and he doesn’t want the region to loose it. But he thinks Kukui’s too blinded by Hala’s resistances that remind him too much of past failures that he’s also failing to see that appeasing both sides might not be as impossible as he believes. But Ash feels like he just doesn’t know enough, a child dealing with the intricacies of the adult world, a new Champion in a new League region.

Carefully and promptingly, Ash begins by asking “So… what were you going to discuss with him? What’re you going to do about the Gyms?” Ash remembers the question he’d been asked the other day by the reporters. So this is what they were talking about. What are you going to do about the establishment of an Elite Four? Had they known about Kukui and Hala butting heads? They must have known that it’s at least a more nuanced and complicated situation in Alola than it's been in other regions. Not that Ash knows what it was like for other regions to found their Leagues.

Kukui sighs, his marching pace back home slowing slightly as he drags a hand down his face “Well, okay. Kahuna Hala doesn’t want us to establish Gyms in Alola because then that would ‘steal young Alolan Trainers away from the Island Trials’, but he also doesn’t want us to use the Trials as a replacement to Gyms, since they’re sacred and there’s more to Trials than just testing a Trainer’s pure strength.” Kukui sighs, deeply frustrated “And I get where he’s coming from, I do, it’s just so frustrating because he’s left me with virtually no options. He’s soft locked me from the League surviving another year.”

Ash looks forward, thinking “He doesn’t want Gyms because they don’t respect Alolan culture the same way the Island Trials do, but he doesn’t want people to do the Island Trials just as a means to an end to qualify for the League, meaning they would not respect Alolan Culture”

Kukui sits down, sighing “Yeah, that’s about it. So I have to figure something out within those conditions that also satisfies the League, who only cares about the replacement testing a Trainer’s strength- the opposite of the Kahunas.”

Again, Ash doesn’t know why he doesn’t just ask these questions before hand. Perhaps he could have actually been useful back in Hala’s, instead of just sitting there as some sort of visual reminder to- to what? Stop Kukui from actually lunging across the table? From stopping the two of them from unnecessarily dragging up even more conflictions from the past?

It’s almost a lot less complicated now that it’s been spelled out to him, even if he’d inferred most of the problem himself. Hala has a problem with how the League wants to do things, and his lack of trust is from them: however, Kukui- aided by his insecurities from his past with Hala- sees Hala’s attacks onto the League as attacks onto him, especially as an official representative and founder of the League. Ash’ll also bet that he’s also generally stressed by all the other admin and mediation he’s been having to do whilst setting up the League.

His mind flips back to Lance and Kukui’s argument the other day. Ash wonders if that’s all Kukui’s been doing nowadays- arguing. Kukui’s overwhelmed. He knows that. Knows that the argument itself implied he’s taking on more responsibilities than Ash even knows about, not to mention the fact that Kukui had practically admitted it himself. He’s trying to set up the League, deal with the press, mediate with the Kahunas and whoever else he needs to, and what else? He was the one that sorted out the battle for tomorrow, not to mention the fact he’s trying to support his pregnant wife, and juggle his usual Professor and Teacher work, whilst shouldering extra emotional labour from Ash and Burnet. Ash feels a strong wave of guilt crash over him. Kukui’s probably exhausted.

And what’s he been doing? Spending most of his days worrying about what people online think of him? He suddenly feels so silly and juvenile. He needs to start actually pulling his weight.

Pikachu hums with a muted electricity, grounding. He’s doing it on purpose, Ash knows, and it only makes him feel worse. His partner can likely feel him stewing in his thoughts, and is taking action to assure him. It’s just another way Ash’s having someone else cover for him. Only his intense bond with Pikachu allows the thought to not bog him down for longer than a couple moments, long since familiarised to them both covering for the other.

Doing his best impression of Kukui’s diplomatic tone, Ash begins speaking aloud “You need something similar to Gyms but in such a way that respects or pays tribute to Alola culture- something that tests strength and drive just like Gyms, without that being their only purpose.”

“Mmhm” Kukui laments with his head in his hands. That’s all the confirmation Ash’s demanding of him. “Well, the replacement Gyms won’t be a way for Trainers to achieve Z-crystals: this means it won’t appropriate that aspect of Alolan culture, but it’ll also be a reason for Alolans or very motivated foreigners to partake in the Island Trials- especially if they know they’re going to partake in a League where other Trainers will have access to an ability they won’t- even further because other mechanics aren’t an option here, at least yet. Plus, they wouldn’t be able to use the Z-Crystals without the Tapu considering them to have earnt it, anyways. That means there’s less of a worry of those unfit to channel Alolan Z-Aura gaining access to that power.”

That appeases the first of Kahuna Hala’s worries: the continuation of the Island Trials- something important for both Alola’s ecosystem and religion. But he’s also worried about what sort the League will attract to Alola, and how the Gyms’ll affect the Island Trials and other sacred sites by extension. He wants the Gyms to follow the ethics and morality of the Island Trials- the process of teaching Trainers lessons that agree with the spirit of Alola- but again without completely ripping off the Island Challenge.

But, much as Kukui laments, the Kahuna’s aren’t the only ones that need to be appeased. The League has requirements the Gyms must meet: they have to produce strong Trainers that’ll be showcased by the League Tournament at the end of each season, not caring for however spiritual or in tune with the Pokémon world they are. The Gyms have to be a challenge and feature battling a tough opponent at the end.

Ash’s certainly learnt lessons from Gym Challenges before, but he knows many Trainers breeze through without caring for anything but winning a battle and earning a badge at the end. Although the League doesn’t care to distinguish them from other Trainers, Ash knows Alolan Gyms will have to find a way. That’s what he wants, too.

He can understand why the thought overwhelms Kukui so much with all he’s juggling right now, but really he feels like there’s an easy enough solution- at least on paper. He hardly checks whether Kukui’s listening, half convinced he’s fallen asleep whilst walking, before he continues talking. It’s mostly for himself, anyways “To appease Kahuna Hala, what Trainers take away from Gyms must be similar to what they take away from Island Challenges- obviously without the Z-Crystal. To appease the League, they still have to be a series of increasingly tough battles that trains or weeds out those who aren’t ready for the League Tournament.” He hears another muffled “Hmm” of confirmation from the Professor, which he thinks is all he’s going to get.

“I guess it’s gotta be kind of like the Battle Frontier, then.” Ash says “You have to earn the right to battle the Gym Leader. The Trainers could be put through a pre-emptive challenge- something you can’t brute force your way through, and that teaches you an important value or skill- that stops more impatient or strength-hungry Trainers from making it far through the Alolan Gym System without having to change their approach to Pokémon training and battling.”

He nods to himself, more assured of what he’s saying. “Yeah. That’ll be the main difference. Trainers who care little for the wellbeing of their Pokémon besides how many battles they win will hit a roadblock much earlier than Trainers who care for their team and are willing to lose in order to learn from it. I think that’s the main problem with the League, I’ve met loads of Trainers who were technically strong, but that I thought didn’t really… qualify in other regards. They could be cruel- and they definitely weren’t fit to be Champions themselves. The Alolan Gym System would either deter them, or encourage them to better their ways.”

Ash wonders how many of his old rivals- or even old Gym Leaders like Lt Surge- would have never been as merciless in their training as they were if they’d gone through this hypothetical Gym System instead. He believes everyone has the right to their own opinions and styles of training- of course they do- but he knows deep down that how people like Paul trained their Pokémon just wasn’t right. He even believes- knows, from experience no less- that they’d have been stronger if they’d trained otherwise, that Ash might not have ended up beating those Trainers himself if they had. What good this hypothetical Alolan League would have done for them, if they’d attempted it in their youths.

Aware he’s now sounding a little vain, he concludes “But yeah. Gym Challengers have to prove they hold some sort of value of Alola before they have the right to a more traditional Gym-style battle to test both their strength and whatever value they were supposed to have learnt. Some normal Gyms kind of do the same thing, but it was usually self-regulated by the individual Gym Leaders. If we put more emphasis on them in Alola, it’ll please the Kahunas, and since there’s still a Gym at the end of it, it pleases the League.”

He turns to Kukui now, feeling the beginning of an embarrassed blush at having rambled about his own thoughts for so long, but he’s instead faced with a wide-eyed Professor staring back at him. Ash hunches his shoulders, suddenly self-aware. He knows he can end up rambling about Pokémon battling, but usually someone would have interrupted him by now to save themselves the rant. Ash isn’t typically one to be outwardly over-analytical, either, and wonders how ridiculous he’d sounded actually voicing it aloud to get such a bewildered reaction out of Kukui. “Uh, yeah. Or something like that.” He finishes lamely, apparently unable to keep his mouth shut.

Kukui’s face breaks into a wide grin, but instead of it being teasing, the Professor looks elated “Oh, Ash!” He surrounds the boy in a hug, and he thinks absently about just how warm the Professor is “You make it sound so obvious! I think I was just so overwhelmed by it all I didn’t just stop to think.”

Ash grins against the Professors shoulders, now sharing his relieved elation, and brings up his arms to wrap them around Kukui’s in turn. They stay like that for a moment, before Kukui squeezes him one last time, and draws back, ruffling Ash’s hair “How ‘bout you tell me some ideas for those pre-Gym challenges, huh? Goodness, maybe the Kahuna was right to go on about the Tapu choosing well with you, your experience travelling to different regions may just be what saves the League.”

Ash feels so warm. The feeling of helping, doing something right, is so strong within him, and he walks on the balls of his feet, feeling much lighter than he had only minutes prior. “I mean, it’s not common practice, but I’ve often found a hurdle I had to jump before I actually got to battle in some of the Gyms I challenged in the past- like helping out the Gym Leader.” Or stopping Team Rocket, half the time “To be fair though, sometimes the lesson you need to learn from a Gym is simply delivered through being beaten over and over again and having to find the resilience and determination to keep battling, to keep exploring new tactics that might earn you the win. I feel like the Gyms where you really have to fight for the win are the badges you feel you’ve really earnt and grown from the most.”

Kukui nods, looking more attentive than he has in days. “So what kind of challenges should we put before the Gyms? For the Island Trials you have to prove yourself worthy of battling the Totem Pokémon- that you’re deserving of the Z-Crystal and that you honour Alola- but it’s not standardised, right?”

Ash nods, slowly. He remembers the muted disappointment he’d experienced when the Electrium-Z Tapu Koko gave to him broke apart after his first time using it, only to experience way more excitement when his second one remained intact. His own words echo back at him, over how much more rewarding it is to earn the victory. He doesn’t know if his battle with Hala was what proved himself as worthy of a Z-Crystal not just to the Tapu, but to Alola, but he gets what Kukui’s trying to say. The Island Trials are much more flexible in how it’s built to guide Trainers, only having Trial Captains as people you can reach out to for extra guidance and training. The League’s going to want something more concrete and repeatable.

“Well, there’s loads of stuff you can set up” Ash begins slowly, hoping if he starts speaking the words he needs’ll come to him. He turns to Pikachu, catching the yellow of his fur in the corner of his eyes. Find strength in your past travels, use everything you’ve learned. “And I think I’ve improved not only as a battler, but as a Trainer, through taking part in challenges that weren’t a part of Gym Systems in other regions.”

Kukui nods, prompting, and Ash continues “Well I mean. You’ve got stuff like races, eating contests, Pokémon catching tournaments…” Ash looks up and frowns, trying to cast his mind back as he continues listing “Costume contests, navigating some trick house in Hoenn, Orienteering. Loads of different styles of battles and, like I said, races. Really there’s a lot of them. Uhhh… triathlons- wait that’s just another kinda race, uh-, a ping pong contest, quizzes, scavenger hunts… cooking competitions, I’ve competed in Pokémon Contests and Performances, too.”

He retreats out of his reminiscences and grins to Kukui “Really, there’s so much more to training with your Pokémon and improving your bond beyond plain old battling. Even the battling competitions I competed in made me learn new things. I mean, I had a Sky Battle in Kalos Canyon using Hawlucha- who could glide but not fly- so I had to learn how to tackle arial battles against an opponent that could fly when I couldn’t. Stuff like that.” He grins at Pikachu “But that’s not new, is it? Cool battles like that with specific conditions is the perfect way for you to learn to adapt strategies and pick up new techniques.”

Kukui grins “I guess I get where you got your unpredictable battling style, now. It seems like you continue to draw inspiration from all aspects of your life.” Ash nods eagerly, a non-verbal yeah, you get it! and Kukui laughs “If we have you in charge up setting up the Gyms, Alola’s going to be churning out a bunch of copies of you” Ash pouts playfully “And that’s so bad?” Kukui ruffles his hair again “Of course not.”

Their pace picks up a little on their way home, as if Kukui’s excited to get working on a plan as soon as possible “The tricky part is going to be finding Gym Leaders.” Despite the obstacle, if anything Kukui now seems energised by the challenge, rather than trodden down by it “Kahunas are a no-go, obviously, and it’s gotta be someone who upholds Alolan values, is eager to fill the role as Gym Leader, and who qualifies to do so from both a battle-prowess and responsibility perspective. We could double-employ Trial Captains to be Gym Leaders- although I don’t think Kahuna Hala would be best pleased. Perhaps just for the beginning of the establishment of the League, then we’ll find others who’re good options to be the sole Gym Leader or Trial Leader. There’s always ex-Trial Leaders we can source, too. We have a year to sort out everything before the first official League Season begins next summer.”

A year. Ash measures time in relation to his journeys through different Leagues- he can practically hear Misty mocking him from Akala for just the thought- so he equates the time he and Kukui have to get everything in Alola up and running as the same amount of time it takes for him to complete a region’s Gym System. He’ll have spent the double the time in Alola as any other region he’s been to- but he doesn’t seem to mind.

This is a challenge. A new challenge that seems to involve a lot more admin work than Ash’s used to, but he’d be a hypocrite if he didn’t try, right? He needs to remind himself why he’s staying in Alola, what this new chapter in his Pokémon journey is about. Same as attending the Pokémon school. Ash’s trying to approach the Pokémon battling world from a new angle, to learn and experience as much as he can so he can better himself even further. He’s going to learn a lot, he’s sure of it.

He and Pikachu hardly commit to much more training that afternoon, just some more drills to ensure they’re in practice but still refreshed for the battle tomorrow. He’s honestly excited for it- Lance is a really tough opponent, and Ash and Pikachu will have to be working at their very best, but he truly believes he has a shot at winning. Although, he never really enters a battle feeling unsure of himself- or at least he tries not to. Even though this battle is important for Alola’s publicity as well as his own, on how he needs to prove their competence in the Pokémon battling world, he doesn’t feel the pressure weigh too heavy on him.

It's just, as Kukui informs him over dinner, the press that’s going to be the main concern. They’ve been given access to the open reception area on the ground floor of the Pokémon School, and it’s expected for Ash and Lance to make their way there prior to the match for some quick pre-battle interviews. Most non-Alolan reporters will be more loyal to Lance, and any who’re remotely unkind will try to throw Ash out of his rhythm before the battle even starts. Don’t let that happen. Kukui says. Don’t listen to them. You’ll have the four of us watching over and commentating, you’ll have your friends and many Alolans in the crowd cheering you on, your friends from around the world’ll be watching, and you’ll have Lance at the other end of the battlefield, who only wants to see you do well, too.

But Lance’d also said that regardless of whether Ash wins or loses, people online will still find a way to throw it back at him.

If that’s really the case- why should he even care about the opinions of people who can’t make their minds up about him?

He has RotomPhone port downstairs with the rest of his Pokémon, and the sleep he and Pikachu have is long and unplagued.

Chapter Text

It would be an exaggeration to say the school grounds have been completely changed. However, it’s undeniable that the battlefield has been repainted, and now there’s temp barriers up to keep the surrounding standing crowds back and protected, rigged up cameras and microphones now surrounding the place.

There’s a steady trickle of people heading towards the school leading from the main road, and its small car park is filled completely with vans and cars belonging to the press. Ride Pokémon are dropping people off only to immediately circle back around on an errand to fetch even more attendees. Ash scratches under Pikachu’s chin as he heads towards the Pokémon School’s main building, schooling his nerves and reminding himself of what Kukui had told him in preparation.

”They’re gonna be pushy” the Professor says, rushing around with his lab coat inside-out as he makes his breakfast- a pre-prepped loco moco pack that’s reserved for when Kukui is in a bit of a rush to leave the house in the morning, used to waking up much earlier and having ample time to start his day. “Lots of reporters from all over the world came for the Manalo Conference, and the announcement of this battle was soon enough afterwards that many were still in Alola and able to extend their trip for this. That means loads of the reporters there today won’t be Alolan, and so will be Team Lance rather than Team You.”

Ash is sat at the breakfast bar eating his breakfast in a far more lax manner: pancakes lathered in syrup topped with streaky bacon that Ash pretends not to notice Pikachu stealing. “But it’s you, Kahuna Hala, Professor Oak, and Misty that’s commentating, right?” Misty’s repping Lance technically, but she wouldn’t be anti-Ash, at least not genuinely.

Ash watches as Kukui runs a brush haphazardly through his hair, cringing with the ferocity the Professor casually commits to the act. Ash’s hair, although thick, is low maintenance as straight hair tends to be from Eastern regions, but Kukui’s seems infinitely more thick, wavy and frizzy on the rare occasions he lets it out “That’s for the actual battle.” Kukui says, eyeing the microwave as his food rotates leisurely inside, clearly not getting the memo that Kukui wants it to be ready instantaneously.

“Pre-Interviews are important, Ash.” His next words come muffled through the hairband he holds between his teeth as he manipulates his hair into a bun “They get people watching excited and passionate for battling- your battle- but most- agh- most importantly,” his voice trails off subconsciously as he focuses on finishing off his hair “…they’ll be a big first impression for you internationally, and’ll set the tone for your Championship.” And, by extension, set the tone for Alola as a League region.

“So what kind of-“ Ash is cut off by the microwave beeping and Kukui’s following elated curses “What should I expect?”

Kukui grabs his food and decants it into a shallow bowl, leant now against the counter as he attempts to shovel the food into his mouth immediately “Auē! Hafaghauh, Fuck hot! Ah- uh. All reporters are given access to the ground floor reception of the school. You, Lance, and I’ll go there before the battle- maybe half an hour beforehand?- to be open to press-conference interviews. There’s no seating for them, but they’ll be in a set space separated by your assigned table, and I’ll be close by to give them a firm word if they’re being too much.” Kukui talks of managing them as if they’re one of his Pokémon school classes.

“So they’ll just ask stuff about battling?” Ash asks. Kukui wobbles his head in a So-So gesture as he swallows his mouthful. “Mostly, yes. It’s Pre-Battle interviews- I know you’ve seen ‘em before. They’ll ask about how your first week as Champion has been too, perhaps. Relations between you and Lance’ll likely come up. Pre-Battle interviews can end up getting repetitive after you’ve been doing them for a long time, but you’re new content.” Kukui grins “I recon you’ll be plenty popular.” His grin turns slightly distainful, as the implications of his own words set in.

The realisation that Kukui’s probably got loads of experience with the press strikes Ash. His controversies when he returned from Kanto, him becoming the Regional Professor, his endeavours as the Masked Royal, and again more recently he’s been subject to interviews and questionings regarding the League. Ash nods along, taking his word.

“Some of ‘em will try and get off topic though.” Kukui maddens slightly as he begins again “You’ve got ample controversies surrounding you, and that equates to engagement to news agencies. Try and ignore them, be assertive. Urge them to stay on the topic of the battle, keep the control. It’s their honour to talk to you, remember that. They’ve all been given firm forewarning but Tapu know they won’t all listen. Be. Firm. Yeah, Keiki? Otherwise they just don’t listen.” Ash keeps nodding, taking it all in as gospel.

Kukui grins slightly to Ash. “But most importantly, just be your normal self, Ash. Everyone here already loves you, hm? You can win over the masses in a heartbeat with your charisma, ey?”

Ash beams at Kukui at this, who then cheers for it, and lets himself be confident as he finishes his morning routine. Kukui had then run ahead to the school to sort out some admin or preparations or whatever, so Ash and Pikachu were left more time to make their way to the school on their own in a good few hours.

It's funny, how a battle with the world’s number four’s far less daunting than facing a few reporters for 30 minutes.

Even with ample forewarning- the place being swarmed with the vehicles carrying recording kit, flocks of people milling about, and the sounds of bustling crowds and conversations coming out muffled from inside the school- Ash still finds himself a little stunned upon walking in to see so many people. Despite the school’s air conditioning and the size of the foyer, the room is hot, stuffed full of people and machines whirring away. Three tables are stationed in a line at the other end with flat backdrops covered in the logos of sponsorships stood up behind them, each separate enough from the other to have congregated their own individual crowds.

They’re for me, Kukui, and Lance Ash concludes, recalling previous hints Kukui had given last night, and after catching a flash of the latter shuffling about behind the backdrop. He takes the hint, keeping to the edge of the room as he makes his way to behind the screens, praying the crowds of people talking amongst themselves don’t spot and swarm him.

Short stealth mission over, he lets Pikachu hop off his shoulder and rush up to Professor Oak to greet him, he and Professor Kukui having been engaged in an amicable chat. Ash’s attention turns to Lance who’s some further steps away, who’s in his own conversation with Misty. Hala’s not here yet Ash notes, and a slight insecure worry that the Kahuna won’t turn up niggles at the back of his mind.

“Ah! Young Ash! I’m so Happiny to see you’re all well and good! How’re we feeling about the match today?”

Ash’s attention snaps back to Professor Oak and he smiles at the headmaster “We’re pumped! Can’t wait for these interviews to be over so we can get on the field!” “Pika-pikachu!” His partner carries the sentiment far more assertively in his tone.

Professor Oak guffaws in glee and raises his hands placatingly, one designated to pat the side of Pikachu’s head “My, my! Just as expected, Ash, as eager to battle as ever. I’m afraid these pre-match interviews are just something you Xatu get through in order to get to the meaty main of the battle! It’ll be over in no Tympole!” He claps a hand on Ash’s shoulder, and he smiles wide at the Professor. Pikachu jumps across the bridge the gesture creates and settles on Ash’s free shoulder.

“You feeling ready for interviews, then? Nerves good, know what you’re doing?” Professor Kukui asks. It’s clear he’s going for cool and casual but his own nerves on Ash’s behalf peak through his words. He’s worried for me Ash notes. But is it genuine parental concern, or a belief that Ash doesn’t have what it takes?

“What if Ash wants to step down before that happens?”
“Then that is within his right.”
“Do you think he’d step down?”
“I don’t think so…. But I would not blame him if he did.”

Right. That’ll certainly fill him with confidence going into these interviews.

“Yup! Me and Pikachu have taken on worse opponents; this’ll be a piece of cake!” Ash assures with a mock bravado to hide his actual bravado, and Pikachu’s own response sounds just as convincing to anyone that isn’t Ash.

Kukui smiles genuinely at Ash, looking a little relieved at the simple assurance, and Ash almost feels guilty for it. He catches Lance waving at him through his peripheral and turns to face the other Champion. Once Lance sees he has Ash’s attention he notches his head in the direction of the screens they’re stood behind- and, by extension, the crowds that are on the other side- and mouths ‘You ready to go?’

Ash really isn’t. He nods and smiles, sending two thumbs up Lance’s way. Again, the adult smiles and relaxes at Ash’s little white lie, mood so clearly dictated by Ash’s own.

It’s fine.

Ash, Kukui, and Lance step around their screens at the same time to take their respective seats, and noise from the crowds of reporters picks up- growing louder in anticipation as they shout out questions from the get-go. Ash presses the nail of his thumb into the pad of his index finger, the slight sharp pain it ellicts grounding him long enough for him to sit down. When hidden by the table he allows himself to distract himself by fiddling with his hands on his lap, and he smiles his brightest wide smile to the crowd, knowing Pikachu is doing the same on his shoulder.

Right. Champion Satoshi Ash Ketchum. Champion. He’s got this.

The questions start innocently enough. For the first few minutes it’s establishing queries- basic information being rehashed about Ash that’s already public knowledge but won’t be common knowledge to everyone watching quite yet, considering how new Ash is.

It gets slightly more in depth after that, but hardly so. Was being a Pokémon Trainer always his goal, is it true he’s staying in Alola until the League’s established, is he going to continue attending the Pokémon school. It’s still basic information that virtually everyone who knows Ash even through a friend knows, but still the sorts of things the average person won’t.

It does get more specific after that, but less information based. What’s his preferred style of battle? How does he feel going up against Lance as an equal? What’s it like to use Z-Moves? Questions that are more targeted at Ash- with the sort of answers that would differ depending on who you ask. It’s more subjective. A feel for who Ash is as a battler and as a person. They never go too deep into anything, another reporter Ash calls for eager to cover another area. Kukui was right about Ash being fresh content- there’s seemly loads to talk about.

However, he feels like Kukui’s stressing and constant explanations and assurances regarding the interviews had… made Ash feel far more dreadful than he needed to. This isn’t that bad. At all. The small crowd that’d camped outside the Professors’ house to hound him were ten times worse.

Here they’re all quiet whilst he’s answering the questions, and don’t jump in to make him sound bad before he’s even finished speaking. They’re loud and insistent when Ash is done speaking each time, calling out names of news agencies and beginnings of questions he can barely make out amongst the sea of voices, but as soon as Ash points and calls permission for someone to project their question the rest fall silent again. It’s far more… civil. Ash feels less like a Remoraid surrounded by Sharpedos and more like… someone out of water looking down into a pond of Carvanha. They’re imposing and intimidating as a group, but Ash’s out of danger and protected. He’s not exactly relaxed, but they can’t do any real damage to him like this.

His assessment doesn’t hold up for the last five minutes of the interview, however. It of course starts innocently enough, but it soon snowballs, and before he knows it someone’s pushed him into the Carvanha pond.

The press still yell insistently between questions, so Ash tilts to the side to get a better view of those in the crowd he hasn’t called upon yet and points to a man with a Hoenn Central news logo on his partner’s camera kit. “You! Hoenn Central.”

The interviewer, practiced as he is, doesn’t even spare a second between being selected and calling his question. He speaks in Galarian, despite a previous question at the beginning of the segment having established Ash is fluent in all seven languages associated with the now-eight League regions.

“Having been raised in Kanto, what’s it like knowing you’re up against the Champion of your region you presumably looked up to? Do you think it’s more intimidating, as he was a figure you’d have always viewed as undefeatable?”

For the first time there’s a murmur about the crowd, presumably growing restless with the shortening remaining time and complaining that a similar question had been voiced already. Ash doesn’t let it phase him, and tries to approach the question in a way that doesn’t have him repeating anything.

“Oh, man,” Ash begins, and the mumbling quietens whilst he thinks how to begin “To be honest, I’ve met Lance quite a few times before, so obviously I’ve seen him battle and take down-“ criminal organisations, pretty sure you’re not supposed to just imply that Lance often goes undercover even if it’s been publicly speculated for years ”-opponents,” he hopes he didn’t hesitate too noticeably there “So I know he’s a super strong battler, but more than anything I’m just excited to face him, right Pikachu?” His partner Pokémon agrees enthusiastically, sparks flying. The Hoenn reporter moves onto the next question breezily, ignoring how the complaints grow more insistent from surrounding press peoples at him sneaking in a second question “If you’ve met, have you and the Champion battled in the past?”

Ash takes a moment to think, and after a moment realises “Oh, man, no I haven’t! I’ve battled other Champions, but now that you’ve mentioned it I haven’t battled Lance yet!” Then he laughs, and jostles the shoulder Pikachu’s on “Kinda ironic, considering he’s the one I’ve known for the longest.”

“Champion Ash!” Another voice, female, interjects, in Alolan this time, before Ash states he’s done with the question as he did before. Complaints grow louder as the crowd curates even more unrest, but the woman’s voice is louder still “Unovan Live- how has the lifestyle and attitude to battles and training in Alola differed to other regions? It’s apparent you’ve at least travelled to and competed in the Leagues of 6 other regions!”

“Oh!” Ash startles at the change in reporter and language and his eyes flit around to try and find the camera of the crew that corresponds to the woman. She said Unovan, right? His brain takes a moment to keep to Galarian, going with her native accent on instinct. He doesn’t bare mind to how odd it might sound, having just replied to the Hoenn interviewer in a more neutral accent “Uh, yeah you’re right!” There’s some complaints over Ash answering the woman who spoke up without being selected, but since he’s already addressed her he can’t change his mind now, and he powers through, trampling the angrily voiced protests down. He feels Kukui’s interest pique from the table beside him, likely from the growing volume coming from Ash’s section “Well, I grew up in Kanto and first journeyed there, so that was my introduction to Pokémon training, but I think after being in Alola for a year now, this region’s attitude and approach to Pokémon training and Pokémon as a whole suits me and our style best.” he grins wide, jostling his shoulder with Pikachu on it to prompt an enthusiastic agreement that none of the reporters understand, but likely get the gist of. He needs to reestablish control of the crowd again.

“So you’re saying Alola’s style of training is superior and better than other regions’?” before he can continue his turn-based interviewer selection method from before, another voice speaks up, in Sinnohan, and Ash panics a little, unable to match the voice to the face that said that. He just rambles out to the crowd, switching language reflexively to match the question’s and to respond as quickly as possible, to clear things up before they snowball as quickly as possible. “No, no! It’s just for me personally!” He tries to calm himself down. There’s yelling. The complaints aren’t just directed towards other members of his crowd, now.

Don’t panic, Kukui said some of them will try and use dirty tactics. Keep a level head, treat it like a battle. Be confident. He switches back to Galarian. Control. “I’ve met loads of people and everyone raises and trains their Pokémon differently,” he omits the fact he sees many of these methods as wrong, several faces coming to mind, Damian, “And although I think Battle-Focused Trainers are less common here, at least specifically those who train as a profession, the culture of raising and training along-side Pokémon is really refreshing! It only took a short while to get used to not just battling any stranger you come across, though.” he chuckles, trying a little to lighten the mood. The interviewers jump back into yelling questions at Ash, instead. He struggles to pick out the voice of someone calling more politely for his attention so he can select them for the next question in a hope to reestablish a calmer interviewing process.

“KILN- Kanto International Live News here, do you really think you can win a battle against a much more experienced Champion?” Another reporter barks loudly from the crowd in rather rude, informal Kantonian, and Ash frowns a little at just how biting the tone sounds, even though the many other insistent calls for his attention. “I mean, Wataru is crazy strong, like I said I’ve seen him battle a bunch! But me and Pikachu are just excited to get to go all out with him!”

Pikachu begins enthusiastically adding on to Ash’s response, paws curled as his cheeks crackle with electric energy- making a clear warning about how he’s not very pleased. The reporter doesn’t look very impressed as he speaks up again, and Ash can find him in the crowd this time. He has auburn hair and dark eyes. An Ekans is wrapped around his neck like a scarf. “Is it not presumptive to think an unevolved Pokémon could take on any of Champion Wataru’s highly trained Pokémon?”

Ash recoils a little at the rude implications and blatantly aggressive tone before the man continues on without letting Ash get a word in to refute “Not to mention Pikachus are very common and not at all known for their strength, unlike other mid-stage evolved Pokémon who might get away with the blatant disadvantage and stand a chance.” A pair of nearby reporters with red and blue hair from what seems to be an independent news agency turn and gape at him in genuine shocked outrage. Pikachu frowns and his cheeks begin sparking in further warning.

The crowds had quietened throughout the reporter’s questions, some cameras even turning to capture the man, and yet Ash feels like more eyes are boring into him analytically, challengingly. He understands Kukui’s warnings far better, now “To my understanding, it’s your starter Pokémon? Why haven’t you evolved it yet?”

Ash switches back to Galarian to answer the man, trying not to let his anger boil and show. This dude is really hitting his and his partner’s bad spots and he knows he has to just internalise it and channel it into the battle later to prove this guy wrong, but Pikachu is on his shoulder muttering unkind words that go unheard to everyone else, and it only riles Ash up more “Pikachu does not want to evolve and that’s his choice to make. That’s not the only way for Pokémon to get stronger! Like I said we’re gonna go all out with Lance, no holding back!”

Ash desperately wants to divert the conversation, knowing his smile is incredibly tense right now. He feels a snarl threaten the corner of his lips. You’re not an immature child anymore. Prove you’re not. Show you can be diplomatic, that you can handle the challenges Champions face, that you’re not going to just quit. This is just as asshole trying to get under your skin, letting it work would be losing. This is just a man with a camera, he has no real power unless you give it to him.

For once the crowd is silent, eager to allow the interaction to continue on the account it might produce some marketable drama. The man sounds cocky when he talks. Ash’s eager to take his smugness and shove it right back at him “It’s apparent that of all the Leagues you’ve competed in prior to this, the only other you’ve made it to the finals in has been last year in Kalos, where the rest of your team had been fully evolved. Do you not think you could have won that League had you evolved your Pikachu considering how closely it ended?”

Ash is honestly more caught off guard at the mention of the Kalos League than anything else in that awful point of view. No one really mentions the Kalos League like, at all. For several obvious reasons of course: the following Kalos Crisis and the apparent censorship that came after it revolving around him and Greninja- trying to prevent anyone else from getting the same ideas as Lysander.

This guy knows at the very least about Ash coming second in the League by a close call, and the nature of his team being fully evolved. What more does he know?

Ash suddenly very much does not want to engage in this conversation, sticking it to the man be damned.

Then, by a miracle Ash nearly considers a divine gift, a familiar female voice comes out “Ash! It’s Alexa from Kalos’ Lumiose Press!” Some interviewers complain at the interruption, whilst others begin hollering their own versions of the Kanto man’s questions. What they don’t know is just how perfect of an out Ash’s been provided with.

Pikachu finds her in the crowd first, head snapping round and an overjoyed “Pika-Pika!” Coming from him when he jumps off of Ash’s shoulder into the crowd, who all half-scream and part suddenly as best they can to avoid the incoming Pokémon. He lands in Alexa’s arms who, now that Ash can actually see her at the back of the crowd from where she’d been hidden by her now-parted fellow press people, looks a little shocked, pun not intended. She grins up at Ash as he recognises her, and his face lights up from the sudden change in his dynamic with the crowd and from the familiar face “Alexa! What are you doing in Alola?”

“Following the hottest news of course.” She grins back, stepping forward as the crowd of reporters give her an easier access to the Champion, camera operators stepping back to capture the two of them and their interactions, curious as to how to the two know each other. The previous question is nearly forgotten in light of this new revelation they can capture “It’s so good to see you!” Ash says happily as he stands up from his seat, hands on the table as he leans over it, resisting the urge to just vault it like Pikachu had to reunite with an old friend. “Back at you! And congrats for winning the League and becoming Champion! Viola sends her regards, too.” she talks as if there’s not dozens- really, millions, globally- of eyes set on her, and then she grins “It was her idea for me to come, said I needed a holiday anyways.”

Ash smiles “Ah! Thank you! I hope you enjoy your time in Alola, we should catch up after our battle!” And Pikachu agrees with the concept enthusiastically from Alexa’s arms. A Pokéball on her hip erupts and another blur of yellow tumbles onto the floor, Helioptile barking up at Pikachu who notices and recognises the other Pokémon. He hops down to reunite with the fellow electric type. Some cameras follow the Pokémon to capture their interaction, whilst the rest remain on Ash and Alexa.

“I’d love that” she beams back genuinely “I could interview you as well?” She asks, prompting. For a moment Ash wonders if she only wants to meet up for the purpose of an (evidently highly contested for) interview with him, before he examines her face and realises she’s offering more of a ‘get out of jail free card’ for him.

He’s undoubtably going to have to give an interview after the battle, all the enthusiasm around the match making such obvious. And interviewing with someone he trusts like Alexa, as opposed to a stranger like that Kantonian man will be a mercy for him. That, or he has to suffer through another media scrum, which he’s decided will always be the worst-case, given how quickly he’s already learnt they can spiral. So, he smiles and replies “Oh, of course!”

Alexa smiles and her eyes dart to Ash’s side, and he follows them to notice Kukui stood up from his table and circling it to approach Ash’s, his own crowd half-dispersing and half calling out last-ditch effort questions. The Professor isn’t even noticing them. Perhaps Ash looks slightly too pleased to see him, because Kukui, bless the man’s perfect soul, turns to Ash’s crowd and yells “Alright guys! Thirty minutes’ up, you know how it works!”

There’s immediately complaints, some of them rather unkind using all sorts of language, but Kukui acts as if they’re not even reacting “If I were you, I’d start heading to the field to get the good spots before they run out, battle’s starting in ten!”

Somehow that does kick several of them into gear, and the crowd begins thinning as people peel away from it in small groups. Ash looks questionably to Kukui, suffering a little bit of emotional whiplash at the sudden changes in tone over the last minute, and Kukui pats his shoulder reassuringly. “Head to the small pavilion that leads to the battlefield. The only thing you have to worry about now is the battle: you head out when Prof. Oak introduces you. Lance’s first so you can follow his lead.” Ash nods, and manages a smile to the Professor, who looks relieved and smiles back. They continue to pay no mind to the crowd.

He squeezes Ash’s shoulder once more, perhaps more for himself than Ash, and drops it, notching his head as he starts to walk away, signalling Ash to follow. He begins doing so before pausing and turning around.

“Oh- wait- Pikachu!” Ash calls back at the crowd in realising the electric mouse’s absence, and the Pokémon darts through between the legs of the reporters to reappear on Ash’s shoulder. Kukui looks at the two of them fondly and chuckles softly “Right then. Let’s get you out there.”

xx_345_L
@Puffabskaq

Dude I’m watching the pre-match interviews rn and both of them confirmed they knew each other??? ASH WHO ARE YOU??? Does everyone just know each other in Kanto????

15:03 27/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Silly 5
@Symbioticoaistttt

Replying to @Puffabskaq

Were you only watching Ash/Kukui’s interviews? Lance went into quite a lot of detail on how they knew eachother!

15:19 27/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Sumowood
@treeman_72

theirs a hell of a lot of hype for such a short match onevone and lance is way stronger I get the diplamocy or whatever but the referees introduction is gonna be longer than the actual match Pikachull faint after like one hit from dragonite

15:15 27/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

HELLIIENN
@helloioptical

Replying to @treeman_72

Bro knows nothing about powerscaling. I’m not saying he’ll win but Ash beat Tapu Koko with that Pikachu- it’s not gonna be an easy win for Lance, even tho I think he will.

15:16 27/06/XX Twitter for LumPhone

Camell
@camelotcamerupt

Replying to @treeman_72

If you click on the icon on the bottom left of your keyboard youll discover smth called punctuation you fucking quagsire

15:20 27/06/XX Twitter for LumPhone

Cherri Berry Babe
@W45t1n9B3rr15

Replying to @camelotcamerupt

The hypocrisy goes crazy

15:23 27/06/XX Twitter for KoPhone

Meep :P
@lizazazazazzz

Replying to @camelotcamerupt

What’s wrong with quagsires :(

15:32 27/06/XX Twitter for LumPhone

KT
@Foamfrog

GO SATOSHI GO WATARU MAKE KANTO PROUD!!!

15:31 27/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Ruth
@totallynotruthless__

LANCEEEE ❤️❤️❤️❤️🗣️🗣️🗣️ #Teamlance EASY WIN CMONN 💪💪💪

15:48 27/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Boxhead
@theclownprince09

LETS GOOO ITS STARTINGGG!!! SHOW EM THE SPIRIT OF ALOLA ASH!!! #Teamash

15:52 27/06/XX Twitter for KoPhone

Gary Oak ✔️
@ShigeruuuOkidooo

Get his Ass, Ketchum!!!

15:53 27/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

Gary Oak ✔️
@ShigeruuuOkidooo

Replying to @ShigeruuOkidooo

Lmao Ass Ketchum

15:53 27/06/XX Twitter for CheriPhone

“Alright guys! Is everyone ready for the Battle!!?”

There’s a roar across the grounds that’s impressive enough to rival a Galarian stadium. There’s a large League Arena-sized space cleared, markings repainted, an invisible force field already erected about it. Upon Lance’s request, said force field is to be made to surround the crowd rather than to be a dome over the battlefield, enlarging the match’s stage size into the sky.

There’s temporary barriers and a few guards stationed about the edge of the standing crowd that stretches out to basically the entirety of the rest of the impressive school’s grounds. Cameras are set up on the balconies of the Pokémon School and trees that overlook the impromptu stadium, accompanied by several drones with their own high-quality cameras stationed in the sky and far, far out of the range of where the battle is likely to extend to. Kukui is sat on a high up balcony of the school, overlooking the battle with Professor Samson Oak- on account for his school grounds being used- alongside Kahuna Halla, and Misty- the Kanto representative of Lance, despite her being more likely to root for Ash for personal reasons.

Kukui feels a little bad for the bias of the panel, but he had personally asked Misty to make an effort to defend Lance for the sake of Ash’s public appearance after the beginnings of accusations of bias and rigging in the Alolan League online: which she agreed to. Lance had brought it up to her already, and she’d insisted she’d have reached the same conclusion on her own. It’s not like she’s against Lance winning, either. Something about someone having to break Ash’s recent winning streak before it gets to his head.

There’s an array of microphones and cameras too set up around them in a fashion that ensures they have clear views of the battle bellow. In addition, a screen in the corner of the balcony is live displaying the streams from several of the cameras pointed at the battlefield. Of course, on other balconies space has been issued to VIP or high-paying quests and several reporters for different regions, with several more being stationed in the crowds, but Kukui’s group’s live commentary will be broadcasted and translated to several international broadcasting channels.

Kukui is just buzzing with excitement. This is what the League was for! If he’d shown this all to himself from not even a year ago, he’d be in utter awe that his plan even worked, let alone this well. He sympathises with the people conspiring that the League was rigged, because honestly Ash was the best person they could have as Champion. Outside of course of his great personality, he has so many connections outside of the region that seems to be fast tracking Alola into the spotlight.

Kukui’s got no doubts that the other Champions would have treated Ash civilly and engaged with him and his region, but Lance had been on his way to Alola in record time following Ash’s League win. He’s giving proper guidance and aid to Ash not just as a fellow Champion but as a friend, and had talked to Kukui about the other Champions and League Associates doing the same. Of course some people would think there’s foul play regarding Ash’s Championship, Kukui thinks to himself bemusedly, it just sucks that those people are so insistent and rude regarding their beliefs “Then please cheer as loud as you can as we welcome the long-time reigning Champion of Kanto and Johto to Alola, Lance Chevalier!”

The crowd grows impossibly louder as Lance makes a display of souring out of where he’d been waiting in a sectioned off area on his internationally recognised Dragonite, performing a flip in the air- Kukui is beginning to recognise that flare for dramatics Ash insists Lance harbours- before they land in Lance’s spot at the opposite end of the battlefield. Lance raises a hand to the crowd as they continue to cheer, Dragonite cheerfully waving with both of her arms enthusiastically and letting out a burst of an attack into the air.

Misty, Lance’s appointed specialist, takes over for this, leaning forward with a prideful smile as she begins projecting her voice into her microphone “Lance was born in Blackthorn city in Johto and raised in Viridian City, Kanto. He’s the longest reigning current Champion, having been the Champion of Johto for 15 years and of Kanto for 11- being the first individual to be the Champion of two regions, partially unifying Kanto and Johto. He’s proficient at raising strong dragon-type Pokémon as seen by his partner Dragonite, who he was notable for possessing due to their rarity when he debuted as Champion. He was also one of the first to partner the fossil Pokémon Aerodactyl, a species that was not long ago still extinct!” The crowd is still cheering distantly as Misty relays the stream of impressive facts about Lance. It even surprises Kukui, who already knew Lance was an impressive figure but hadn’t quite realized the extent of it. If he wasn’t so loyally believing of his kid and his abilities as a battler he would have started to worry over how Ash’d fair in this fight. Lance’s own words find him, that no matter who the battle falls to, it’ll be close. If a Champion with as many achievements as Lance can have such faith in Ash, then by Tapu Kukui can too.

“Lance is known for being down to earth despite his long-reigning status and for being unafraid to get involved in helping his community- being a good friend to myself and others. But of course, he is best known for being a member of Kanto’s Elite Four, a Champion, and one of the strongest Trainers in the world!” Misty cheers, and Kukui’s impressed at her ability to hype up the crowd even further, who’s back to cheering enthusiastically and near ear-bleedingly loud. His impression of Misty was an old friend of Ash’s who happened to be a Gym Leader- but my could she project her voice well. Kukui supposes that comes with the job of dealing with a younger Ash- who even he claims was a much more brash and stubborn version of his current self.

Kukui leans forward as it’s his turn once more to call out through the speakers “And now, please can we have another round of applause for our own: the first Champion of Alola, Ash Ketchum!”

And once more the crowd explodes at this- which Kukui takes as a testament to how Ash’s region loves him (or at least loves that their region is now finally represented interregionally, loves Ash for what he represents for Alola’s future.)

Ash, not having a flying Pokémon to mount and enter the arena on in such a dramatic fashion, runs onto the battle grounds with childish excitement, each of his Pokémon out of their Pokéballs and surrounding him. He waves his hands in big swoops to the crowds as he runs, and his Pokémon all holler or wave in tandem, Rowlet circling in the sky above Ash and Incineroar letting out bursts of flame. Kukui thinks it’s quite a nice display. A young Champion of a newly emerging region, surrounded by his Alolan Pokémon to showcase his pride as their Trainer, but also of the attitudes to Pokémon Alola holds that Ash spoke so highly of just half an hour ago. He also imagines the lot of them watching Lance’s entrance and quickly deciding amongst themselves how to upscale him.

Kukui’s heart swells with pride as Professor Oak begins Ash’s introduction “Ash Ketchum was born and raised in Kanto, too, from Pallet Town! He’s travelled to and competed in the Leagues of 7 regions at the age of only 17, as well as having partaken in and won the Orange Islands League, becoming said Sub-League’s Champion, and the Battle Frontier in Kanto, turning down the opportunity to be a Frontier Brain!” Kukui balks at that, considering that it’s new news to him. Misty just looks smug, though, so perhaps he’s just the only one who didn’t know. Kahuna Halla doesn’t react either way, thus Kukui concludes Professor Oak probably got this information from his Kantonian cousin. Perhaps this was a part of his original plan to intimidate Lance. It’s worked on Kukui, at least.

“He won the Manalo Conference and became Alola’s first Champion-” the crowd suddenly roars a cheer again, cutting Samson off, and the Professor has to pause until they simmer down before he can continue, grinning none the less “…after only a year of building his current team. He aided our region greatly in the defence against Ultra Beasts- including having caught and used one on his team for some time. He’s encountered and fought the Tapu on several occasions, earning their approvals.” Hala besides them nods solemnly, but doesn’t speak up “He discovered a new Lycanroc breed and discovered and evolved a Pokémon of myth, Melmetal- both of whom are still on his team!”

The crowd cheers again as the Professor takes a break, before finally reinstating “Ash has respected and engaged in our Alolan culture, is a friend to many- both people and Pokémon- and today we’re here to cheer him on for his first Inter-Champion battle against Champion Lance!”

The announcers leave the crowd to build excitement up between them, and to allow several reporters to translate or hypothesise to their respective news stations as they watch the two Champions wait. Ash is talking with his team, all of them hyping each other up and generally just looking so innocently excited for this battle. Pikachu had either stolen or been given Ash’s hat to wear out onto the field- it’s always 50/50 with him.

Lance is more withdrawn, Pokéball in hand as he rolls it between his fingers, shrunk. He’s shares a look with his Dragonite, only picked up thanks to the cameras trained on him, before he pats the Pokémon on the arm once and turns forwards to face the battlefield, eyes steeled and determined but with a smile threatening to escape through the corner of his lips. Dragonite looks relaxed, as if she’s not about to hurl herself into battle. Kukui supposes years of practice at being at the top does that for you.

“Alright folks!” Kukui speaks up once more, getting the attention of the crowds again as he leans forwards in his seat in anticipation “This’ll be a one-on-one battle! That obviously means no substitutions, and only one mechanic can be used per team. Once either Ash or Lance’s chosen Pokémon is unable to battle, then the other wins! In the event of a draw, the two Champions can decide between themselves on either settling the match as a draw, or on how to decide a winner. This is an official match, but make sure you guys have a great time and go all out!” He calls out, getting fired up himself. Man, he wishes it was him down there on the battlefield! He sees the both of them nod, Ash now also facing forward in determination, both of them smiling wide. Pikachu remains on his shoulder with a similar expression, sparks flying from excess anticipated energy “Let’s cheer ‘em on! Champions, release your Pokémon, and let the battle begin!”

Ash can hardly hear himself think amongst the cheering from the crowds, and man is it firing him up.

He wants to prove himself to Lance, to Alola, to the world that he and his Pokémon are strong, that he’s to be respected as a Pokémon Trainer. To be seen as an upcoming Pokémon Master. To prove he’s worthy of representing this region he’s fallen in love with.

He has zero doubts on who he’ll send out, and at Kukui’s announcement to release his Pokémon, he tilts his chest to the side and outreaches a hand, yelling a pumped up “Let’s go!” as Pikachu runs along his arm and launches himself onto the battle field, quadrupedal and cheeks sparking, hat still on his head. The two of them thought it would be a nice way to show themselves publicly, to be seen as a team. Pikachu is Ash’s and Ash is Pikachu’s. Plus, Pikachu thinks he looks more intimidating, and Ash (secretly) thinks it makes him look cute. Plus, something-something give the press something to talk about something-something. However, once Pikachu is on the field he turns back and calls to Ash, throwing the cap back high in the air for him to catch, returning it safely on his head for now. This’ll be an intense all-out battle, and Ash isn’t quite ready to sacrifice his cap to be at the mercy of Dragonite’s Hyper Beam. It’s had a good run, though.

The crowd cheers at this, his own team behind him following suit and his grin grows impossibly wide. It wasn’t that long ago that the League finished- not at all- but every time one finishes, he always finds himself unable to wait for the next one- the collection of so many strong Trainers, of all out battles, of the roar of the crowd watching and cheering him on. He lives for it, and he knows his Pokémon do to.

Lance throws a Pokéball with his whole body, to Ash’s honest shock, because Dragonite is already out of her ball and an Aerodactyl comes out, roaring as it’s released from the ball in a flash of blinding light, that alone displaying its strength.

Ash hadn’t even considered Lance using a Pokémon other than Dragonite, his friends’ logic of him using his ‘most recognisable partner Pokémon’ having extended in his mind to Lance, too. Not that that would change which Pokémon he’d release- publicity of using his partner Pokémon aside, Pikachu is his strongest and longest Pokémon and he had no doubt he’d battle with his partner in such an important one on one. Plus, it feels right to battle the Kanto/Johto Champion he’s known the longest with his Kanto starter Pokémon he’s had the longest. Distantly, Professor Oak and Misty begin talking about Pikachu and Aerodactyl to the crowd but it all drones out.

He knows Aerodactyl is a much faster Pokémon, but besides that it’s similar to Dragonite in that it’s still a flying Pokémon with a strength in physical attacks, although Ash now has the type advantage. Still, that doesn’t really matter to Ash, not that much. He has and always will be a firm believer that all other tactics in a battle surpass type matchups, having been known to pit Pikachu against ground types many times in the past and winning. Ash knows Lance likes to go in hard and fast, and knows Pikachu is similarly a fast hitter, so it shouldn’t be a surprise he chose Aerodactyl.

Man, maybe he did learn something from the Pokémon school. Over his Pokémon journey he’s learnt technicality tactics definitely have a place in Pokémon battles besides winging it with hardheaded-ness, and he’s improved a lot from it. But he knows battles like this also need what he’s had from the start: motivation and heart. He and Pikachu are gonna be in sync and have the trust and familiarity with each other needed to pull off sudden and outlandish tactics with only a few words.

They’ve got this.

There’s a referee to the side of the match, despite Kukui being the once to have announced the terms of the match, and she drops her raised arm to initiate the battle.

Before her arm is even dropped Ash sees Lance move suddenly to place two fingers to his wrist that begins glowing and- Oh! Oh! “Begin!”

“Let’s show Alola our full power, Aerodactyl!” Lance yells, his voice enforced by the soul-deep power of the process of Mega Evolution.

A band on Aerodactyl’s tail that Ash hadn’t noticed glows, and the Pokémon rears back in the air and roars to the sky, wings spread out as it’s encased in extreme white, tendrils of energy stretching out towards Lance with his own extending to Aerodactyl, connecting between them, pulsing and crackling with Mega Energy.

Lance raises his arm, the crowd is going wild, and Ash feels that characteristic pull in his chest towards the two of them whilst they Mega Evolve. It’s similar to Z-Moves in many ways and yet so different. He feels the Aura in him thrum from the energy, feels a phantom twinge of the feeling of a bond phenomenon, and he grins as he and Pikachu brace themselves against the display of Aerodactyl revealing itself in its Mega Evolved form, roaring with a volume that nearly shakes the earth. The newfound power it has rolls off it in waves, and Ash can feel how the Pokémon’s soul, its energy and power, is intertwined with Lance’s own. It had only been half a year since he’d visited and battled Brock and Misty back in Kanto, and yet he’d nearly forgotten what the power of Mega Evolution felt like. What it felt like to him. He thinks others should be jealous.

The crowd, understandably, is screaming at the display and Ash knows between the local Alolans and several tourists from other regions, this’ll be the first time the a lot of them will have ever seen a Mega Evolution in person, of those that missed Ilima’s match in the first bracket of the Manalo Conference. Even then, it’ll be the first time many have seen a Pokémon of this power level alone.

“Lance’s Aerodactyl has Mega Evolved!” he hears Misty’s voice across several speakers, muffled by the force of the crowd and the pumping of blood in his ears. She begins listing off some facts about it, something about Leagues in Kanto and the mechanic originating from Kalos, but Lance has commanded Aerodactyl to close in on Pikachu already, battle begun, the Pokémon suddenly far faster than Ash has ever seen an Aerodactyl. He distinctly remembers Professor Kukui’s list in class of which Pokémon are currently known to be able to Mega Evolve, but it had completely passed his mind since he’d never actually seen a Mega Aerodactyl, himself. He should have connected the dots seeing Lance’s key stone earlier in the week. Man! So cool.

Aerodactyl is approaching with insane speed, wings glowing with a charged-up Wing Attack, and Ash suddenly clicks his mind into the battle- he understands how some of his more science-based-strategist rivals got so easily distracted and overwhelmed in the past, now- and yells.

“Use a Quick Attack to dodge it!”

“PI-ka!” His partner yells in determination and glows before he whizzes under Aerodactyl’s line of trajectory at the last second, timely avoiding the attack. The crowd cheers at the opening display. The Aerodactyl stops before it can hit the floor and screeches, changing directory to try and catch the tail end of Pikachu, having heard Ash’s command and anticipated the dodge.

Ash loves battling more experienced Pokémon. Younger more inexperienced ones always only follow their Trainer’s commands, not often acting on their own accord unless they’re rebellious, and then that’s a whole other problem. Without Lance’s direct command it had known to stop before crashing in the ground, had known Pikachu would somehow try and dodge and tried to stop it from doing so. It just makes a battle so much more complex and challenging. Becoming less just an exchange of blows, and moreso involving tactics outside of typing and moves and stats. They’re the kind of battles Ash lives for.

“Follow after it!” Lance commands, and the Aerodactyl shoots after Pikachu now, close to the ground, and Ash knows the same tactic won’t work twice “Meet it with an Iron Tail!”

Pikachu pivots suddenly, Aerodactyl already right behind him, and meets it with a momentum charged Iron Tail, contact between Pikachu and the Aerodactyl stopping the latter dead in its tracks but pushing Pikachu back a little. Even though Pikachu has the advantage of the floor as leverage, Ash knows he won’t win this wrestle for pure strength, so he yells “Point blank Thunderbolt!”

“Retreat! Charge Hyper Beam!” Lance commands immediately before Ash even finishes his own, and the Aerodactyl manurers so it’s in a position to push away with a beat of its wings “Change it to an Electro Web! Trap it!”

Pikachu had already charged up its electricity for the Thunderbolt so the Electro Web is instantaneous at the change of command, and Aerodactyl falters- but doesn’t stop- in charging its Hyper Beam in order to swoop low and dodge the attack, but Pikachu is not where it once was, commanded by Ash to use a Quick Attack to launch itself in the air just above the flying Pokémon. Ash distantly hears one of the announcers talking about him refusing to let Lance use the sky as a safe space to retreat to.

“Now Iron Tail!”

“Rock Slide!”

Pikachu’s Iron Tail misses, its momentum sending him down and making him drop to the floor as the Aerodactyl roars- Ash always thinks there’s something more innately powerful about a Pokémon’s roar when it’s Mega Evolved, something more intwined in it- and summons several rocks that begin hurling towards Pikachu at impressive speed. The crowds haven’t quietened.

“Quick Attack! Dodge them and send some back with Iron Tail!”

Pikachu does as commanded. Rock Slide in nature is hard for a Pokémon to specifically aim with, but this is no ordinary Pokémon, rather a highly trained Mega Evolved Pokémon, so Pikachu has a difficult time evading them and struggles to get the moment to send one back with Ash’s proposal, so he changes it “Jump on them!”

This is a familiar tactic to Pikachu, and he executes it well, beginning to ascend again “Charge your electricity as you climb!” Pikachu forfeits a little bit of his speed, and in exchange sparks of electricity can be seen crackling out of his cheeks.

“Charge!” Lance yells, and Aerodactyl stops summoning Rock Slide in favour of reeling back and opening its mouth to screech, light forming in its open maw foreshadowing the attack coming Pikachu’s way.

“Thunderbolt, now!” Ash roars, voice booming across the battlefield at the same time as he hears Lance command “Hyper Beam!”

Both Pokémon on the battlefield yell, intense energy exploding from both of them and meeting in the middle at the speed of light, an impossibly loud boom erupting and making the crowd yell. Ash and his Pokémon have to brace against the incoming force from the explosion, dust picking up and smoke billowing out, obscuring the battlefield and the Pokémon. Ash’s ears ring from the explosion and he knows in the few seconds it takes for his hearing to return, Lance’ll have had the opportunity to command Aerodactyl without him making it out over the distance and disturbance in the middle of the field.

Ash can tell Pikachu is for the most part unharmed, and lands safely on the floor again somewhere within where the dust picked up. Aerodactyl’s presence, too, is known to him; instead of directing Pikachu to where he should send his next attack, Ash waits in an attempt to gage Aerodactyl’s next move. There’s something about Mega Evolution that makes Ash so much more aware of the Pokémon, like the sharing of Aura between Pokémon and Trainer just amplifies everything the Pokémon gives out: not just its strength, but its sheer presence.

That’s how Ash can tell with a spike of danger when the Aerodactyl suddenly charges up an attack and barrels towards the ground, but not towards Pikachu.

He has no idea what the move is, but given the Pokémon is confidently targeting the ground and not Pikachu, he knows it’s an attack that channels through the earth. Like a Stone Edge or Frenzy Plant. That’s all the information he needs.

Thinking quickly, he yells “Pikachu! Launch into the air!” and he hears his partners muffled voice of affirmation. Ash tries to channel the further instruction for Pikachu to use a move at his earliest opportunity, syncing their intuition.

Moments after he gives the command the earth shakes with force, the crowd crying out as even with the force field the ground underneath their feet rumbles, but not as much as it undoubtedly does in the centre of the battlefield.

The move, now apparent to be Earthquake, clears the battlefield of dust just in time to show Pikachu sending an Electro Web straight at Aerodactyl, the Earthquake only serving Pikachu the ability to locate where Aerodactyl is via the move’s epicentre, before the latter can locate him. The fraction of time it took for the dust to clear and restablish Aerodactyl’s vision was not enough for it to foresee the attack until it’s too late.

Lance reacts quick enough to give out a command to Aerodactyl, but the Pokémon doesn’t recover quick enough to react to the command, yelling as the Electro Web surrounds the Pokémon, pinning it the floor and ensuring it takes a good hit of damage too.

The crowd roars at the first cleanly landed attack of the match, the announcers rambling excitedly about the strategy Ash had just carried out and how did he know? but Ash can’t relent now that they have the upper hand, not against such a fast and strong Pokémon, he knows now is as good of an opening as he’ll get, so he grabs his cap, yells at Pikachu to get his attention as he lands, and throws it.

Pikachu jumps into the air and back to Ash to catch the cap on his head as Ash raises his fist into the air before crossing his arms in front of his chest, activating the Pikashunium-Z and channelling everything he can into the crystal on his wrist “Alright Pikachu!” He calls out. In the distance he recognises Lance commanding Aerodactyl to use wing attack to escape the Electro Web, and the crowds and commentators recognising what’s coming and going wild, but he just focuses on himself, Pikachu, and the energy surrounding them in that moment.

He pushes his fist forward in which Pikachu pounds with his own, and he feels the connection between the two of them secure as the both of them begin glowing, the light given off by the crystal in the corner of his eye almost blinding. Pikachu spins and slaps a tail to the palm of Ash’s hand as he turns back to face the battle, and again Ash feels a pulse of Z-Energy, of Aura flowing from him to Pikachu, feels everything building and climaxing and it’s electric.

At the cost of receiving some extra damage Aeradactyl is now free of the Electro Web and ascended into the minor safety of the sky. The Z-move is well under way with no possibility of Aerodactyl attacking fast enough or with enough force to stop Pikachu. Lance doesn’t let that allow him to falter, and commands “Hyper Beam, now Aerodactyl! There’s no dodging this!”

“Pika-pika!” Pikachu slaps his cheeks as a warning spark erupts from them, visibly surrounded by the Z-Aura as Ash commands with grander “Now, Pikachu! Ten-Million-Volt Thunderbolt!”

“Now, Aerodactyl!”

Pikachu yells, jumping into the air as localised thunder clouds surround the battlefield during the once sunny Alolan afternoon, all striking their energy into Pikachu as he’s surrounded by an intense electric Aura.

Aerodactyl, Hyper Beam charged in its mouth, suddenyly throws its head forward and howls a beam of pure white light out to Pikachu.

In the instantaneous same moment, Pikachu, with the full force of his tiny body, curls up and screams, beams of blinding technicolour light erupting from him and shooting to Aerodactyl with enough energy to tear the earth underneath its trajectory apart.

The two beams meet in the middle of the battlefield, a sonic boom erupting from the lightning-quick attacks meeting with full force, and for a moment both are evenly matched, but Pikachu bellows out a cry, voice hoarse and strained from the volume and effort he puts into the attack, and a flash bang of light erupts over the venue as one second Aerodactyl and Pikachu’s attacks are neck to neck and the next the Z-move slices through the Hyper Beam like butter and pulverises Aerodactyl, slamming it to the floor and pinning it there as Pikachu exudes the rest of the attack.

A few more seconds and it’s over, and Pikachu drops to the floor on all fours, panting from putting his absolute all into the move but still standing, still raring to battle. Although he hasn’t taken any serious damage in the match now, Ash knows Pikachu’s ability to withstand and charge his own attacks has now been reduced, so their tactics will have to grow more defensive and slow. But, in exchange, Aerodactyl is seriously damaged. Z-Moves are no joke, and he wouldn’t be surprised if at the very least Aerodactyl’s Mega Evolution transformation is out of commission.

Smoke is once again up, the crowd is for once silent in shock, it can’t be… there’s no way Aerodactyl’s…

“The Z-Move Ash has performed is unique to him and Pikachu, another testament to the legacy he’s paving in Alola.” Kahuna Hala’s voice breaks the silence in a calm tone as everyone holds their breath for the dust to clear and as Ash and Pikachu try to catch theirs. “His first Z-Crystal was an Electrium-Z, bestowed to Ash by Tapu Koko Itself not long after he arrived in Alola, a Pokémon rarely seen even by myself, virtually never by Alolans, and is practically non-existent to foreigners.”

The dust begins to clear, the crowd remains silent, Hala continues on “This Electrium-Z transformed into such specialised Z-crystal once during Ash’s quest in Ultra Space to battle the invading Ultra Beasts, reverting back after the move was performed. It was only after the exhibition match with Professor Kukui and Tapu Koko last week did this transformation remain permanent. Ash and Pikachu are the only known individuals in Alolan History to have access to this specific Z-move. It is much more powerful than the average Z-Move, but in turn is far more costly of Pikachu’s battling stamina.”

The dust finally clears and Pikachu groans in exhaustion as he stands up to a bipedal stance, glaring at Aerodactyl, laying in a small crater in the ground.

The Aerodactyl that is still Mega Evolved, and with an Aura alluding to a very charged very powerful Hyper Beam, that Ash hadn’t noticed because he’d put his all into the Z-move, and had made the mistake of letting his guard down.

Ash’s eyebrows raise in alarm, and his heart rate picks right back up again “Pikachu! Mo-“

“Now Aerodactyl!” Lance cries, and Aerodactyl lifts itself enough to target a Hyper Beam at Pikachu, having charged it up alongside regaining its energy whilst everyone had stood around waiting for the battlefield to clear. One second Aerodactyl is near-passed out, the next it has a blinding light erupting from it heading Pikachu’s way.

Pikachu, who’s only meters in front of Ash. Ash, who’d said it was fine if they didn’t have force fields up during the matches to Kukui. That he’ll have his Pokémon if worst comes to worst, and Kukui can reassure himself with some Psychic Pokémon on standby. But no Pokémon can maintain a forcefield throughout an entire match, no Pokémon would be faulted for their guard being dropped the same as everyone else’s.

Ash, who is much too human and squishy to receive a charged Hyper Beam from a Mega Evolved Aerodactyl, and who is stood directly behind Pikachu. Ash, who is much too slow to evade an attack that moves at near light-speed, who can only watch it barrel his way in a blink’s time.

Still, it’s Pikachu’s name he yells in alarm as he forces his arms infront of himself in a cross and braces himself, the Pokémon behind him only having enough time to too yell in alarm in their wishes to protect him, but unable to actually do anything, from the instant nature of the attack.

The Hyper Beam hits Pikachu true, throwing him back behind Ash, and in his last moments’ panic of Oh fuck he’s not about to die is he? he forces all that’s left of his Aura out of him, his body and soul weak from the Z-move they’d just performed, motivated to at least save his Pokémon behind him. In a split second he panics, reaches inside of himself to the festering presence of Aura that rests there, and pushes, closing his eyes and mentally preparing to see Arceus as he feels himself turn inside out and his soul is bared to the Pokémon attack, leaving almost nothing inside him.

The blinding light comes, and the force of the Hyper Beam hits him, but instead of it vaporising him, he only feels it pushing against his Aura, a screaming forcefield protecting his body. Pikachu had unfortunately taken the brunt of the force, so what was left of the Hyper Beam was enough to knock the wind out of Ash from the effort of keeping it off of him and his Pokémon, but not enough to crack through. It buys enough time for Melmetal to jump in front of Ash and meld its body into a better shield, allowing Ash to drop his own and fall to his knees in exhaustion, feeling what remains of his Aura slink pathetically back into his body. He feels seconds from passing out himself, a weak emptiness in him that makes him feel physically ill. The possibility of him throwing up or passing out in the next five seconds is distinctly non-zero.

Understandably, there’s cries of panic from the crowd as Melmetal takes the last of the Hyper Beam, not enough left to do any proper damage to it. And Lycanroc nudges Ash to get him to stand up. Ash looks around in a panic, seeing Pikachu on his back some distance behind Ash. He can hardly focus his eyes enough to see him, but the yellow of his fur is unmistakeable, and Ash had always been one to put concerns for his Pokémon’s health above his own.

“Pikachu!” He yells in alarm with a breaking voice, less concerned about the match happening and more about his partner being okay but before he runs to his partner he hears a very weak “piiikaaaa” that not only tells Ash he’s okay, but that he’s somehow still kicking. Ash should have had more faith in Pikachu, clearly. His buddy’s only taken one direct attack, after all, even if it was one that’s nearly as powerful as a non-Z-Move can get. The previous scrapes and exhaustion on top isn’t quite enough to knock him out. But Ash’s heart is hammering in his chest, and he feels half dead, so practiced instincts had kicked in and had him worried for his partner.

Pikachu rolls onto his front rather pathetically, the referee that had run over in preparation to announce Pikachu unable to battle watching closely and frankly shocked that the Pokémon is holding himself up. Ash’s cap is little better than a tattered rag, now, and it falls off of Pikachu’s head lamely. The Pokémon looks at it a little dumbly, then looks back at Ash apologetically.

Despite being winded and exhausted (near unconscious) from having to perform his little party trick he doesn’t even like to think about, let alone practice, Ash smiles weakly at Pikachu “It’s okay, we’ll get another one.”

“Pi…” he says sadly, before pushing himself up to his hind feet with effort, wobbling a little, and trapsing back into the battlefield, charred and bruised and with barely much in him, but still up.

Of course, the crowd and announcers go crazy, raving on about the ability to take such a powerful attack after exhausting itself from an all-out Z-Move and a fast-paced battle. Ash is a little relieved to see Aerodactyl is currently barely even standing, let alone flying, and is in no shape to make any sudden moves.

The Pokémon and Trainers face each other down, not willing to let the other recover long enough to tide the battle over, but both also knowing their Pokémon hardly have the energy to generate another attack, let alone take one.

Ash knows it’ll have to be a long range attack, Pikachu unable to dodge anything close range with his reduced energy, and with Aerodactyl’s much higher physical offense, so getting in close with Quick Attack isn’t a good idea. Leaving either Thunderbolt or Electro Web.

Problem is, Pikachu’s electricity has been absolutely exhuasted, and Ash knows he doesn’t have much more to give himself, considering he’s lucky he’s still conscious, leaning on Incineroar for support. Lance is alternating between training a worried glance on Pikachu and Ash- himself not being drained from the battle the same way the other three are- and looking even a little regretful for the tactic he pulled off almost literally killing Ash.

Ash doesn’t like that look, that look of concern coming Lance. He has to fight not to see it as condescending, to see it as worry over whether he pushed Ash and Pikachu too far. This is an all-out battle, he doesn’t want Lance to even consider holding back. Ash’s gaze turns sharp and he grits out “Pikachu, finish it! Thunderbolt!”

“Piiii-kaaa..” Pikachu begins charging up, taking longer than he would even in his early days, and electricity begins crackling around him. Lance’s eyes widen, and Ash again struggles not to read that as surprise that the both of them are still going, before he snaps out of it “Aerodactyl! Use Wing Attack to block it!“

Pikachu does not move from where he’s stood and only digs his paws into the battlefield to ground himself as he shoots out a Thunderbolt, its speed nowhere near what had been demonstrated earlier in the match. Aerodactyl grunts, bringing its glowing wings up and folding it over its body, and times it just right to parry the Thunderbolt, pulling its wings apart at the moment it would have hit, the energy of its own attack dispersing the electricity again at the cost of taking some damage.

Pikachu growls in frustration, his breath ragged. It’d only been a week since the intense battle between them and Professor Kukui, and although that was enough time for Pikachu to recover almost entirely, it’s apparent the latent exhaustion has put Pikachu on a slight backfoot in terms of stamina. If they overdo it, Pikachu might get electrically overloaded and have his energy destabilised. But man, they’ve gotta win this.

Again, they’re at a stand off, trying to strategise, and although by no means is Aeroadcatyl in a good shape, it looks like it’ll start recovering if Ash doesn’t do something soon and allows them to both rest. Although both Pokémon are equally damaged, Pikachu has the exhaustion that comes alongside using a Z-Move, whereas Aerodactyl’s Mega Evolution still looks stable. That’s a Pokémon that’s used to Mega Evolution, how long has Lance been training it? Ash hadn’t even known he’d had a Key Stone a week prior.

The crowds are growing progressively louder, egging both of them on with individuals cheering for their favourite side to finish it. Ash’s head is throbbing though, and he can’t think straight. He can’t even stand straight, still leaning against Lycanroc slightly. Getting in close still isn’t an option, with Pikachu’s exhaustion and Aerodactyl’s greater speed, so Ash only sees one viable solution left.

Unfortunately, Lance seems to make a call first “Earthquake!” Ash has enough time to watch as Aerodctyl rears back and digs its wings into the ground with all of its might, unsettling the earth and cracks and fissures erupt and spread outwards from it, gaining on Pikachu.

“Jump up and onto your tail!” Ash calls, and Pikachu does as told, the sheened glow betraying an Iron Tail as he grips onto it and holds it below him like a shield to block him from the debris that’s unsettled and flung about by the Earthquake, chunks of earth being pushed up at him. He endures the hits, hardly able to stand as he lands again, and Ash makes the final call “Thunderbolt right now!”

Lance is startled, almost as if he wasn’t expecting Ash to command such and begins his own command “Aerodactyl! Use Hy-“ And then Lance hesitates: pauses long enough for Pikachu to finally build enough to release a slower Thunderbolt rocket across the battlefield at Aerodactyl, who’s too weak to push off the ground and fly, and nowhere near fast enough on its feet to evade “Rock Slide!” Lance finally commands, but it’s too late, Aerodactyl only has enough time to roar in preparation before it’s hit with the Thunderbolt, and that’s the last thing it needs before it seizes up and collapses forward, de-evolving mid fall and thumping into the earth.

Ash’s eyes are wide and Pikachu remains silent and panting, swaying even when standing on four legs as he watches the referee now run to Lance’s side of the battlefield, inspect Aerodactyl briefly, and raise her hand up to the top floors of the Pokémon school, where Kukui’s voice follows “Lance’s Aerodactyl is unable to battle, Ash and Pikachu win the battle!”

There’s only the briefest pause before the crowds erupt into applause, Incineroar and Lycanroc roaring and howling respectfully in victory.

Pikachu allows himself to collapse flat on his stomach, panting to the side and wincing from the effort it took to stay standing long enough. “And with that, Ash’s first Inter-Champion battle ends on a victory! Everyone give a round of applause for our region’s Champion!”

Lance retrieves Aerodactyl and thanks the referee, before he begins making his way across the battlefield with Dragonite, a lightly alarmed jog in his step that he hopes isn’t picked up by the audience.

Ash heaves out a heavy breath, staggering forward and dropping to his knees in front of Pikachu, tentatively picking up the Pokémon and cradling him to his chest “You did well Pikachu, ‘m proud of you.” he mutters, wincing at how out of breath he sounds. Man, note to self. No using Aura and Z-moves back-to-back. No using Aura ever, actually.

“Satoshi!” Lance looks down at Ash, and since when was he standing there? “Damnit- are you okay?”

Ash forces a smile, and hopes Lance ignores the way he wavers. His other Pokémon come to surround him, and Dragonite looks around, alarmed, alerting Lance of something and making the other Champion look around them too.

“I- alright we gotta get you out of here before the reporters come and hound you whilst you’re like this. Can you stand?” Lance’s voice gets a little alarmed, and Ash nods. He’s distantly aware of the fact the crowds are still raving on about something or another, and through the cracks in the circle his Pokémon formed around him he catches glimpses of camera drones and people heading his way, but everything feels really far away right now “I- uh. Yeah” and he does so, admittedly very wobbly.

Dragonite goes to hold Ash up, but Lance stops her, muttering something about not giving the press something to harass him further for, and begins guiding Ash back into the Pokémon school. The shouts from the crowd turn more concerned or outraged- Ash can’t discern which.

They make it into the Pokémon School and Lance permits Dragonite to now lift up Ash- cooly ignoring his complaints- and send them ahead to find an empty classroom upstairs before the news reporters pounce on them here in the lobby, Rowlet following suit.

Lance turns to Lycanroc and requests he goes and retrieves Kukui and Misty, asking if the Pokémon knows where they are. It nods an affirmative and scampers up the stairs ahead, Lance following up at a more normal human pace with the remainder of Ash’s Pokémon.

When he ascends the stairs Dragonite is in a hallway calling for him with waving arms, nodding at a doorway to indicate Ash is in there. At the same time, Kukui and Misty arrive, both looking at Lance in alarm, Lycanroc barking and running ahead “Is Ash okay?” Kukui asks, terribly alarmed, and his tone is so paternally concerned that in another situation Lance would happily use it to poke fun at Ash.

“He’s conscious and standing but he’s not in amazing shape.” Lance says, moving into the classroom with Dragonite. He doesn’t want to alarm the Professor too much- it’s really not that bad- but Lance knows the last thing Ash needs is for this minor stunt to be performed under the eyes of every major News Outlets’ live broadcast. They just needed to move him out of the sight of everyone and to prevent Kukui from getting unnecessarily panicked in front of any cameras, too.

Ash is sat in a classroom chair, slumped over with Pikachu passed out on the desk in front of him, half-conscious, arms circled around his partner as if his last thought is always to protect him, and Rowlet is perched on his head hooting trying to get him up.

“Satoshi, what the hell?!” Misty shriek-yells, storming forward, and the face Kukui pulls at her for such a rude tone after his boarder had fainted is a little funny even given aforementioned situation.

“F’k auff Kasumi” Ash slurs, which gets a clip ‘round the ear from Misty, which in turn gets Kukui to firmly step forward between the two in full mother-Kangaskhan mode “Right- okay. Ash? Keiki, you with us?”

Ash sits up suddenly, forced bright smile on his face which is less bright and more flickeringly dim, and he raises a thumb “All good, Prof.”

Meanwhile, Lance moves around the desk silently and pulls a mini restore out of his pocket, spraying it over Pikachu, who’s body seems to relax from the relief, but he’s still drowsy and likely won’t be back to himself for a good few minutes. Both of them seem to be going through a major adrenaline crash, and Lance himself feels jittery from it too, although he suspects not in the same way as the Pokémon and Ash does. Lance genuinely considers using the restore on Ash.

One of Kukui’s Pokéballs erupts from his pocket, a Lucario coming out of it on its own accord and leaning over Ash and barking in alarm. Lance and Misty’s eyebrows raise and they look to eachother, because that’s definitely implying something. It all but confirms what they thought they saw happen during the Hyper Beam, but knowing about verses seeing his Aura abilities are very different things. Lance never travelled with Ash, and Misty wasn’t present for when Ash’s abilities were realised and any other involvements they had, but that doesn’t make them oblivious. It however means they’re less likely to instantly recognise it, perhaps. Whatever doubts they had near-vanish when faced with a Lucario that isn’t even Ash’s forcing itself out of a Pokéball in concern.

“Whose bright idea was it to not have a force field up around Ash?” Misty turns and asks the other two adults accusatorially and not at all like she is the grand age of 18. Both of them look sheepish none the less, although Lance helpfully supplies “I didn’t have one either.”

Misty’s sharp glare at Lance lets him know that the comment wasn’t helpful, but Kukui is glaring at him too, deciding to give his own piece to the Champion “Someone shouldn’t have fired a Hyper Beam at a Pokémon that was right in front of a kid he knew wasn’t protected by a force field.”

“Someone shouldn’t have promised there were enough safety precautions up.” Lance bites back, before frowning and huffing. He can keep a cool head, regardless of any adrenaline crashes and protectiveness towards Ash “Right, this isn’t helping. He’ll be fine- his Aura is just shot, can your Lucario help?”

“His- what?” Kukui bites out, clearly high strung, his confused concern rearing aggressively, and that sends Lance through a loop. He looks to Misty, alarmed, and she glances his way in mutual mild panic. Oh shit he doesn’t know is clear as day on both of their faces to the other.

Lance had kind of half assumed he would know, considering his oblivion earlier in the week to Lances prods at Ash about his reputation of withholding information about his past. He thought he knew at least something, especially with Ash living with Kukui’s Lucario for a year. Being a Lucario Trainer by no means makes you an Aura Adept, but Lance would have thought Kukui would have picked up a thing or two about Aura even as a concept.

And especially with Kukui being there for all of the weird stuff that’s happened to Ash for Alola, and considering he saw Ash get hit with a Hyper Beam, saw the way it curved around a barrier, saw the way he collapsed after it, indicating he has expended energy, considering he knows Ash’s team and knows their moves. Knows there’s no barriers, knows the backup psychic Pokémon didn’t react in time. They had been too foolish to forget that interferences from the crowds weren’t the only reasons Trainer forcefields exist, especially in such high staked battles. Humans, even those like Ash, are far more susceptible to injury from Pokémon moves. They do not have the Aura to protect themselves. In hindsight Ash probably wouldn’t have died, although his split-second panic was justified. He still would have been seriously injured, and it would have immediately raised suspicions amongst viewers over why he didn’t die.

But oh dear, the Meowth’s out the bag, and now he and Misty are on cleanup.

So Lance does what all good grown-ups do and dodges the question “Johtan phrase” he mutters. The look he ignores Misty giving him is so blatantly unimpressed he considers pulling rank on her just to get her to stop throwing accusations his way, so he preoccupies himself by moving around the desk towards Ash and looking down at him. To anyone else he would just look tired, and Lance hopes that’s all it’ll be, that whatever Ash had done to defend himself from the Hyper Beam had worked in time. However, this is not at all his area of expertise, so he looks to Kukui’s Lucario, trying to convey his thoughts, hoping Lucario had already read Ash and understood what needs to be done even from Kukui’s Pokéball.

Lucario huffs in leu of any communication and puts his forehead to Ash’s and breaths out, eyes closed and concentrating. Lance glances Kukui’s way to gage him as he looks down at the scene. He seems confused by the silent exchanges between those around him, but at the back of his mind something’s clearly ticking. Long-discarded dots coming back to the surface and beginning to connect. The Professor’s smart, he specialises in moves, he has a Lucario, he knows Ash well. He’ll figure it out soon.

And it’s all Lance’s fault. From the Hyper Beam to saying too much. Damnit, he hopes Ash forgives him, he doesn’t know if the kid’ll survive with one less actual adult in his life, what with his tendency to cast them out so readily if they get too close. It was bound to happen, Lance himself had planted the seed in Kukui’s mind to try and get him to pry Ash open a little more, had almost just told him outright that morning before Pikachu and Ash had interrupted their argument.

Lance just hopes it would be in a way that’s somewhat within Ash’s control: he knows how much he doesn’t like having much of a choice over a situation. Especially when it’s being broadcast on live television. Today’s incident wasn’t the first time, and it worries Lance more about Ash’s mental health than his physical. He's a tough kid, but one of these days he’s bound to encounter his final stroke, and Lance won’t forgive himself if he’s that last straw that breaks the Mudsdale’s back.

The Lucario doesn’t have to give much, just enough to stabilise Ash, and Lance doesn’t sneak and spray Ash with a potion behind his back because he’s a grown responsible adult. Suddenly Ash is less out of it and just woozy, moaning a little as he holds his head “Man that really took me out, huh?”

“Pika…” Pikachu agrees tiredly from the desk, quickly eyeing Lance and he realises with ashamed embarrassment that the mouse definitely heard all of that, and now Kukui is back to doting on Ash and Lucario steps back.

Lance and Misty send a quick searching look Lucario’s way, and he just nods, calm, confirming Ash is fine and will be fine. Lance lets out a breath he’d been holding since he ordered the Hyper Beam, and finally turns to Ash, interrupting Kukui’s mother henning because that’s really not what the kid needs right now “Well done for winning the match, Satoshi.”