Ash looked around the house meant to be their residence and nodded, "It's a neat place all things considered."
Misty, "There's a pool in the back for water Pokemon."
Brock, "And a rocky garden around it for rock types."
Chloe, "In simple terms perfect for us."
Gou, "Wonder where the other group is."
"Talking about us?"
Ash turned, "Ah, yeah sort of. We were about to pick rooms. My name is Ash, my partner Lucario, my baby Phantump, this shy fellow here is Gengar and the one inside my shadow is Banette."
The boy, "The Orange League Champion, it is an honor. I'm Berk from Galar, my partner Inteleon."
Misty gushed, "I'm Misty! This is Dewpider and that's the evolved form of Sobble right? He is very handsome."
Berk grinned, "Thank you."
Inteleon, "Teleon."
The girl next to him spoke, "I'm Trisha, from Unova, I am training to be a Grass type Master, nice to meet you. This is my partner Servine."
Servine, "Ser."
Brock, "I'm Brock, this is Corsula, we are all from Kanto and I'm here to prove I can be both battler and medic."
The girl next to Trisha spoke, "Nice, I'm Tally, I don't have a specific type yet but I'm going to show everyone I'm no pushover."
Gou, "I'm Gou and I'm here to support my friends. This is my partner Cinderace."
Chloe, "I'm Chloe and I'm here because of the same reason, to support my friends and this is Yamper."
Berk, "Awesome group we have here, eh Inteleon?"
Inteleon nodded, "Leon."
The group shared stories and early dinner as they relaxed before going towards the main arena for the opening night. It was quite a sight to watch with performers dancing and performing acts for the opening. President Goodshow welcomed the trainers to the Conference and gave another speech, this time a shorter one. He explained the rules, the first four battles would be one on one elimination battle rounds and the next four would be two on two elimination. After that those who were left, would proceed to battle three on three semi finals till there were only two top fighters left. He then prayed to Moltress and the fire burned brighter before wishing the trainers good luck for the next day.
Ash and the others returned to their dorm excited about the next day. They had a quick breakfast before going to the Pokemon centre and Misty went first and she was paired up against a boy in the ice field. Trisha went next, she was up against Gary in the grass field surprising Ash, he wished her good luck. Tally was up against a girl called Annabeth who looked familiar to Ash but couldn't figure out why, in the rock field. Ash went to choose his opponent and picked up a Magikarp.
Ash, 'Well that didn't change.'
A voice came from behind, "How lucky!"
Ash turned, "You must be Mandy."
Mandy smirked, "Correct Champion and I'm not gonna hold back against you. I'll be using my strongest Pokemon on our battle."
Ash, "I look forward to it."
Berk, "Well he is confidant."
Ash nodded, "Did you get yours?"
Berk, "Some girl called Rianne in an electric field."
Brock, "I'm up against a guy called Rick, normal field."
Ash, "Best of luck to all of us then."
Misty, Trisha, Tally and Ash had their battles simultaneously at the same time in different fields so Ash wished them luck before going towards the water field. He was a bit surprised to see Mandy paired up with him again, he would have thought that would change but it didn't. He half wondered how to do this, should he pick Pikachu or one of his water types as being in a water field would be advantageous.
Announcer, "Welcome everyone to the first water field battle of the Conference. Trainers take your positions and get ready to battle."
Ash stood on the Yellow box, 'I have decided, I promised him anyway.'
Mandy was in the green box, "Ready!"
Announcer, "As this is a one on one elimination battle, both trainers shall unleash their Pokemon at the same time. Ready, set go!"
Mandy, "Go my beautiful Pidgeot!"
Ash, "Let's go Blastoise!"
Blastoise stood tall and proud, he was very happy Ash chose him to battle first, he looked at his opponent determined to win.
Announcer, "Begin!"
Mandy, "Gust!"
Ash, "Into the water use rain dance."
Blastoise dodged the attack and dived in and started to use rain dance to boost himself.
Mandy, "Use hurricane on the water."
Ash, "Hydro pump."
Blastoise emerged among the rising water and shot hydro pump towards Pidgeot who was hit. But Pidgeot soon righted himself and stayed afloat above the water before flying up looking at his opponent warily.
Mandy, "Use double team followed by peck."
Ash, "Withdraw and use rapid spin and water gun."
Blastoise withdrew into his shell and despite the peck attack on him used rapid spin coupled by water gun to get rid of the copies and hitting the real one.
Ash, "Now water pulse."
Blastoise used water pulse and unlike the normal times used it to punch Pidgeot out cold.
Announcer, "Pidgeot is unable to battle, Blastoise is the winner."
Blastoise roared, "Blassssss!"
Ash jumped out of his box, "Blastoise you did it."
Blastoise turned to Ash and swam towards the shore and hugged his trainer nuzzling him, "Blas!"
Ash pat his neck, "I'm very proud of you big guy, you won despite the type disadvantage, looks like all those training with Fearrow paid off. Eh?"
Blastoise shivered remembering the brutal training Fearrow had given him, the flying type didn't hold back. Ash had simply told them to not break anything and to take breaks every half an hour before leaving him to the flying type's mercy. It had been worth it though, Blastoise thought as Ash and Lucario got their fake smiles on again. The one that trainer Misty called camera smiles as they were approached by a few adults... Charizard is not going to be happy about this.
Reporter, "Hello Mr Ketchum and Lucario. I am Louis Kent from Pokemon Daily Paper. I have a few questions."
Lucario, -Three questions make it count.-
Ash, "I need to get my Blastoise to the centre so let's keep it short."
Louise paused before resuming, "Of course, Mr Ketchum. Now it is known by everyone you have all three Kanto starters. Many viewers are curious how did you meet them?"
Lillie, "Oh dear!"
Lana, "She had to ask that."
Kiawe, "Ash doesn't look happy."
Gladion, "How can you tell?"
Sophocles, "His smile became really fake."
Mallow, "They just had to ask that question."
Professor Kukui, "I think it's understandable why he is angry though."
Back to Ash, he had turned to Blastoise, "So should we tell them?"
Blastoise contemplated a bit, before nodding, "Blastoise blas."
Lucario aura spoke with Ash so no one else could hear, #He agrees Meema, it might send a message to others who abandon Pokemon, no one is happy about what happened to Gengar.#
Ash, #You guy managed to talk to Gengar? I see it's another abandonment. Very well!#
Ash turned to the reporter, "Blastoise, Charizard and Venasaur were abandoned by their trainers as a Squirtle, Charmender and Bulbasaur. Their trainers thought they were weak Pokemon and left them in the wilds, Charizard's trainer would have succeeded in killing him too if we had not convinced him to at least visit the centre. You can ask Nurse Joy for confirmation."
Louis was shocked but calmed herself, "I.. I see, how did you meet Blastoise here?"
Ash smiled, "I met Blastoise as a Squirtle who loves playing pranks. Yup my big serious looking guy here is a prankster through and through, right buddy? We ran into one of his pranks and things just happened from there. You'll have to ask Officer Jenny for details I'm afraid I'm not qualified to speak."
Blastoise cooed, "Blas."
Louis smiled, "One last question, why do you think they were abandoned?"
Ash shrugged, "There could be many reasons, but I personally believe that people who abandon Pokemon are actually weak and pitiful. They could have left them at the Pokemon centre or sent them back to the lab from where they were chosen. But no they chose the cowardly and dishonourable way, to abandon their partner and friend who risk their lives in battles for them. That's all I will say in the matter."
Louis, "Thank you for your time Mr Ketchum."
Ash left with Blastoise, Lucario and Banette inside his shadow and walked to the centre located just outside the stadium. He met up with Gou who had been cheering him on and gave a sigh of relief when no one else bothered him and went to give Blastoise to Nurse Joy. Blastoise nuzzled him one last time before returning to his pokeball and allowed himself to be treated.
Mandy joined him, "I saw your interview."
Ash looked up at the adult, he was not as snobbish as his teen self, "Yeah?"
Gou, "Mandy!"
Mandy smiled in response to Gou, "I'm sorry you and your Pokemon had to deal with that."
Ash waved, "No big deal, just another day I guess?"
Mandy, "My Golbat was abandoned too, you know?"
Gou, "What?"
Mandy nodded, "Her wing had been torn off during one of her battles as Zubat and her trainer didn't want her anymore and left her to die."
Ash grimaced, "One of those types."
Mandy, "Yes, she was very underweight when I found her and took around a whole year to heal her wounds. Despite the disability she never stopped battling though and fly again she did after she evolved."
Ash smiled, "I'm happy to hear that."
Mandy, "Her trainer wanted her back but I pointed out I already paid for her so she belonged to me and if she wanted Golbat she would have to pay thrice the amount. Also all the medical fees, her trainer was not happy and tried to force her to go with her. Golbat was not amused of course and used scary face on that spoiled brat."
Gou chuckled, "Wish I could have seen that."
Ash snickered, "It must have been hilarious."
Misty stormed in, "Nurse Joy please check on my Pokemon!"
Nurse Joy, "Of course dear, would you like a seat?"
Chloe came running, "Calm down Misty."
Dewpider, "Ewp!"
Misty hugged Dewpider and took a deep breath, "Thanks for taking care of Dewpider Chloe."
Gou, "What happened Misty?"
Misty, "Reporters! The most annoying kind as well."
Chloe, "They thought Misty was trying to pair herself with Ash because both of them used Blastoise."
Ash, "I chose Blastoise because I promised him the first battle."
Misty, "I chose Blastoise because he knows ice attacks better than others."
Gou, "But the reporters decided you want to be with Ash?"
Misty fumed, "I knew this would happen but it still pisses me off."
Mandy, "Oh dear! Sounds like trouble."
Ash sighed, "It is. Hey Jessilina is on TV."
Reporter, "Miss Jessilina, I have heard you have a son."
Jessilina gave her signature ah ha ha ha laugh looking straight at the TV, "Yes, and mommy's first win is for you baby boy. I hope you are being good for your Daddy."
Reporter, "There has not been a single photo of your son before."
Jessilina went ah ha ha ha ha ha again, "That's because we want our son to decide what he wants to do and why he wants to be famous on his own. Instead of giving him fame directly, that way no one can say he is riding his parents coattails."
Reporters, "You must truly love your son."
Jessilina gushed, "More than anything in the world, he is the reason I decided to become stronger after all."
Misty chuckled, "Nice way to keep little Tomo out of public scrutiny."
Brock entered the centre, "Hey guys!"
Ash, "Congratulations on winning."
Brock, "Thanks, I could do without nosey reporters though."
Chloe, "We saw how you freaked them out with your actions."
Misty, "I should hit you for it but it's effective."
Mandy got up, "Well I better get going, it was nice to meet you and your friends Ash. If you ever pass through Celadon visit my rehab centre for Pokemon."
Ash took the card Mandy gave him, "Serenity corner! Oh this is the new rehab that took in half of Damien's Pokemon."
Mandy, "You know that guy?"
Ash, "My Charizard and Misty's Blastoise were his Pokemon once."
Mandy, "I see, well I am happy they are nowhere near him then. I better check on the others and I mean it, do visit."
Ash and Misty nodded, "We will!"
[A. N.: I changed Mandy a bit, because he was already older than Ash in the anime. So I decided why not make him am adult.
XDD
Hope you all enjoyed this!]