Ash dressed in a navy blue shirt with black pants, before going out to join his fellow Elites. He noticed one person is missing.
"Where's Pakura?" Ash asked his Elites.
"Last time I saw her, she said she wanted to be left alone, as usual." Rosaline said. "She did send out all her Pokémon to eat though." She jerked her head towards the living room, where all their Pokémon were eating. Ash also sent out all his Pokémon for dinner.
Jude rolled his eyes. "Seems to me she doesn't want to be near us or something. Why did they even install the food service in our rooms?" He was irritated by her absence, and no one could blame him for that.
"She even explicitly told us in NO circumstances are we to go into her room without permission from her." Rosaline said. "If not she won't hesitate to give us a piece of her mind."
Ash internally sighed. He wanted to tell the Elites about the prison escape but he'll have to wait since one Elite is missing.
"Nah, I bet she's just busy preparing for the contest thing that our region organized." Ash said, composing himself. There was a contest alongside the tournament too. While the tournament rounds are held in the morning, contest rounds were held in the late afternoon. Pakura is designated to be one of the three judges, alongside Wallace and Fantina.
It works like a Grand Festival in other regions. Whoever wins the contest will get a special PAL Ribbon that allows them to compete in any region's Grand Festival they want, no matter how many Ribbons the winner has won. Which meant that even if this Ribbon is the only one you have, you still can enter the Grand Festival in any region. The winner also earns the right to meet any of the Legendary Coordinators of their choice up close.
"Well, I think it's been one exhausting day." Rosaline said. "So let's eat."
The dinner came in courses. A thick carrot soup, green salad, lamb chops and mashed potatoes, cheese and fruit, a chocolate cake. Although Ash was used to the high quality and quantity of food back in the Plateau, he couldn't help but stuff himself, although unlike four years ago, he had decent manners.
"By the way, what Pokémon are you guys going to use for the tag battle?" Phillip asked, deciding to make some small talk.
"Definitely not our Legendaries." Jude joked.
Phillip shot him a "You don't say?" look, and turned to Ash. "Hey, Ash, what Pokémon are you going to use?"
"I think I'll go with Leavanny, Roserade, and either Mismagius, Togekiss or Feraligatr, depending on the opponent's Pokémon type." Ash replied. "How about you?"
"I'll go with Emolga, Ampharos, and Rotom." Phillip said. "Rosaline?"
"Espeon, Delphox, and Rapidash." Rosaline listed.
"And I'm going with Greninja, Jellicent, and Sableye." Jude informed them. "Whoever our partner is, I hope their type specialty cancels out at least one of our weaknesses."
"Yeah, I hope so too." Rosaline said. "Ash doesn't need to worry, since he has Pokémon of various types, and he doesn't have a type specialty."
Ash nodded. "Good luck to you guys too, although I doubt you guys need it, since I know all of you can make it." The others chuckled at the last comment as they ate their dinner.
"What are you going to do after dinner, Ash?" Jude asked.
"I'll work on Mew's Aura Sphere. It's still a bit shaky."
"Yeah, I think you better work on that too." Phillip shuddered. Nothing disconcerted Phillip more than that uncontrolled Aura Sphere, where he had an unpleasant experience involving one and one of his latest inventions some time back. Hopefully Mew can control its Aura Sphere soon.
"It's ok, Mew." Ash said, petting the New Species Pokémon. "It's ok if you can't master Aura Sphere today. It requires a lot of concentration of focusing your aura into one spot. You just need practice."
They were at a clearing near a forest, where Ash had been using some trees as target practice for Mew's Aura Sphere. So far, Mew wasn't able to even control the sphere, going out of control and hitting more trees than intended. Currently, he is trying to comfort Mew, who lowered its ears, tail and eyes sadly at the fact that it couldn't master Aura Sphere despite being known to learn all moves.
"You really think so?" Mew shyly looked up to Ash.
Ash smiled. "I know so. Lucario, why don't you show Mew how to do it again?"
"As you wish, Master." Lucario said. He put his hands together and created a blue ball of energy. Lucario then fired it at one of the trees, incinerating the said part of the tree. "Mew all you need to do is to concentrate on containing that aura. That's your priority. Start small, and then slowly increase the size of that sphere."
Mew nodded, and tried again. This time, although it was a very small sphere, it was able to contain it into the desired shape.
"Very good Mew! You're getting there! Try and throw it!" Ash encouraged. Mew obeyed, and there was some impact on the tree.
Ash clapped his hands, along with Pikachu and Lucario. "Great attempt Mew!" He smiled.
Mew rubbed its hand on the back of its head, as if it was embarrassed about the compliment. "Thank you Ash."
"I think we better go to bed. Let's have an early night, we have to wake up early tomorrow. We'll practice again later."
Just then, Ash detected aura belonging to 2 people. He returned Mew secretly, and climbed up a tree with his Pikachu and Lucario that is set in a clump of other trees, offering concealment, so he can see exactly who they are while they can't see him and thanks to his physical enhancements (All Elite members possess this), he will most likely be able to hear what the approaching people are saying.
"So, how was the breakfast gathering, Lance?" a girl asked. They were walking through clearing towards the tree Ash was in.
Ash recognized this voice belonging to Clair, Leader of the Blackthorn Gym.
"It's fine. The food's great. It's even better than the food provided in the PAL train that took us here."
Ash remembered those trains. It looks like Phlox, their manager, arranged for transport for the Gym Leaders, Elite Fours and the Champions from their regions to PAL. Those trains were high speed models that go at 250 miles per hour, and journeys to their region would take less than a day. There are also chambers that provided a bedroom, dressing area, hot and cold running water, and even fine clothes in drawers. All of them got to enjoy the best accommodations: gorgeous floral arrangements, delectable foods, and lush surroundings. The money everyone earned in PAL is high, especially Hunters, and thus they could afford all these. Usually, only Hunters can use it, but for this tournament Phlox apparently made an exception for their guests.
"We got to know the PAL Elite, and spoke to some of them. I spoke to both Jude and Pakura….Jude only actually. Pakura hardly said a word, and left as soon as she finished her cake, although I tried to get her to stay longer to chat." Lance sighed. "Drake also told me about the Legendary Dragon Duo. Apparently, this is their home region, but something happened and they disappeared five years ago. No one even knows where they are now."
'You got that right.' Ash thought inwardly. 'Not even I know where they are, and what happened to them. No one even know their real names, not even me. Good luck if you want to find them. Rosaline has been trying to solve this case since she became a Hunter, but to no avail.' Pikachu and Lucario, picking up on Ash's thoughts, nodded.
"Speaking of dragons, how is trying to find the people who wiped out the Dragon's Clan Elders and stole their Pokémon?" Clair asked.
"Not very good. I can't seem to find a clue whatsoever on the identity of the culprit or culprits." Lance sighed.
"I still wonder why would someone do such a thing, Lance?" Clair said. "To wipe out the Dragon Clan's Elders, and as if they aren't satisfied enough, they stole the Dragon Pokémon belonging to them and set our town in an eternal blizzard! Not even the Pokémon could clear the blizzard for some reason."
"Although I don't approve of murder, those clan elders were a bunch of mean old hags and geezers anyway." Lance shrugged. "I mean, I saw one of them whipping a Salamence for refusing to use Dragon Breath on a helpless Sentret during training. Whipping a Salamence! And what did they do when they saw me? They-"
"Hold your tongue, Lance." Clair cut his rant off. "I know you carry a grudge against the Elders, but they're still our Elders, so we have to respect them. But who would set our town in an eternal blizzard and let all the Dragon Pokémon half-freeze to death?"
Ash raised his eyebrows. So, every single one of Blackthorn City's Dragon Clan Elders were wiped out? It must have happened between the time he accidentally teleported to PAL and the time he became Champion, since he never kept up with any news while he was training (or on the run from his former friends depending on how you want to look at it) in PAL, except for an occasional gossip or two. Judging by the looks on Pikachu's and Lucario's faces, this must be news to them too.
"Hopefully we can find whoever killed the Elders, or at least find somebody that can reverse this blizzard." Clair continued, as they got closer to Ash's tree.
"We'll just decide what to do with the culprit later….if we ever find the person that is." Lance muttered. They were directly under the tree Ash was at now.
"I have a feeling this region holds our answer to this case." Clair replied. "We just need to find it…perhaps the culprit is closer than we think….could it be that the cursed child put a winter curse to our hometown as revenge?"
"You believe that cursed child rumour?" Lance sounded incredulous. "It had been like 20 years since that rumour, and I personally think it's nonsense that someone, especially a child can be cursed. Knowing those Elders, the child is probably dead by now, poor kid." There was a hint of pity in his voice.
The pair of them walked past the tree, and Ash waited until they are out of sight before jumping down, somersaulting, and landing on the ground safely, followed closely by Pikachu and Lucario.
Ash wondered if the blizzard was caused by an aura user, since Clair mentioned the Pokémon couldn't even dispel it, but shook his head. This is their business, not his, and besides, he already had a lot on his plate without worrying about those two. Besides, Blackthorn City isn't his home, so why would he care? Once upon a time, he might try to probe around, ask questions, and find clues, and charge in to help without thinking about the consequences, but now, he realized sometimes leaving them alone to figure it out is better.
If this is so, why does he feel slightly unnerved? What, or rather, who, is the cursed child they are talking about?
And why does Ash's intuition tells him that Lance was wrong, that the child is still alive?
Ash shook his head again. He'll figure it out later. It's better to think about the current situation rather than to think about what will happen in the future. Besides, it's not his business.
"We should get to bed. We shouldn't meddle in other people's business." Ash said to his Pokémon.
"Yeah you're right. I'm sure they can handle themselves." Pikachu agreed.
"Yes, we better get to bed, Master." Lucario said.
"Lucario, call me Ash, I already said it like a million times." Ash sighed.
"Yes, Ash." Lucario replied. But Ash knew he'll eventually revert back to 'Master'.
He made it to the lobby, and pressed the elevator button, and rode up all the way to the twelfth floor. There's no one in the sitting room, which probably meant that his Elites also wanted to have an early night.
Ash changed into one of the pyjamas provided, and laid in the soft, silky bed, pondering about Mewtwo's words, and the conversation he heard tonight. It seemed to him that there are more mysteries to solve than he initially thought, not just about the five bosses that escaped from jail.
And somehow, he knew he'll be the one to solve every single one of those mysteries.
"What do you think, Pikachu?" he asked his ever faithful friend.
"I think there are a lot of mysteries going on around since you joined the Elite." Pikachu said. "It's just that it wasn't very obvious or we were too busy with our duties to notice until we arrived at the tournament."
Ash nodded in agreement. "You know, buddy, something tells us that before we can take on the five bosses, we must first figure out what exactly is going on inside before we can take on the outside. For now, let's go to sleep. Night, buddy."
"Night, Ash." Pikachu yawned.
Ash nodded, and drifted off to a restless sleep.
Grey light was leaking through the windows when a rapping on the door roused him.
"Rise and shine, Ash!" Rosaline's voice was calling him to rise. "Today the start of the tournament!" She sounded cheerful and bubbly.
Ash groaned. How does she get so much energy in the early morning? Ash wondered what it must be like in her head, and what thoughts filled her waking hours. She was one of the three Elites (the other two being Jude and Phillip) that had loving families that believed in them that Ash ultimately didn't find in his mother. In fact, as one of the younger Elites, Ash wondered if Rosaline would even leave home if not for the fact that she crossed paths with Pakura, who by that time, was an Elite member. Ash remembered Rosaline only left home to follow Pakura on her journey, although Pakura never invited her along.
'It's nice to grow up in a loving family, but it's heart shattering when they don't believe in you and side with the traitors.' Ash thought bitterly. 'Wonder if I would have as much enthusiasm if my mum still believed in me at that time.'
"Wake up, Pikachu." Ash mumbled, shaking the mouse awake. "Time for breakfast." As the mouse stirred, he staggered to the bathroom, and refreshed himself. He dressed in his standard trainer's clothes, a navy blue shirt complete with a black short jacket, followed by midnight blue jeans and his cap that looked like his first Pokémon cap except the white parts are now black. Of course, it's complete with a hoodie that shadows his face very well. He also put on his fingerless gloves, where on its left glove, a Key Stone was imbedded into it.
Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder and he entered the dining room. As soon as he did, he sent out all his Pokémon to have breakfast in the lounge.
Ash looked to his Elites. As usual, Pakura is missing, but her Pokémon's out here eating breakfast.
"Morning, Ash! Come have a seat!" said Phillip, waving him over. The moment he slid into his chair he was served an enormous platter of food. Eggs, ham, piles of fried potatoes. A tureen of fruit sat in ice to keep it chilled. The basket of rolls set would last a family for an entire week. There's elegant glasses of orange juice, cups of coffee, and cups of hot chocolate. Ash took an empty plate, and filled it with a substantial amount of everything on the table, before starting to eat.
"Is Pakura awake yet?" Ash asked.
"She is. She's the one that woke me up." Rosaline replied, pouring herself a cup of hot chocolate.
"She used the connecting door to get to your room didn't she?" Jude enquired. There were two connecting doors for each pair of rooms. To gain access to two rooms, both of them need to open the connecting door in their own room. Only Rosaline couldn't get into Pakura's room because she always kept her connecting door locked, and only unlocked it briefly to wake Rosaline up, before going back to her room and locking it again. Apparently, she wanted to prevent Rosaline from going into her room via the connecting door.
"Yeah." Rosaline confirmed. "Supposedly it's to keep me out." She looked rather hurt. Why would Pakura do this to her? Hadn't they known each other before she became Elite? Didn't she trust her? The questions were racing though Rosaline's mind.
She was interrupted, however, by the sound of a door opening, and Pakura coming out of her room, dressed and ready to go. She was wearing one of her trainer outfits- an electric blue top with a black skirt, complete with black boots, a light pink jacket and a belt to hold her six Pokeballs. Her hair was loose, and put up in a hairband. As soon as Skitty saw her, she hopped onto her shoulder, and nuzzled her affectionately. Pakura absent-mindedly scratched her under her chin, which made her purr in contentment.
"Morning, Paku." Ash greeted his Leader. Pakura nodded.
"What Pokémon are you going to use today?" Jude enquired.
Pakura looked around at her Pokémon, and pointed to Jynx, Skitty, and Audino.
"You're going to Mega Evolve your Audino, aren't you?" Phillip voiced his suspicion. The PAL Elites were also well-known to use Mega Evolution during battles, and each of them had their Key Stones worn as part of their outfit, while their Pokémon had the appropriate Mega Stones. Jude's one was in the form of a bracelet, Rosaline's a ring, Pakura's one was a charm, and Phillip's one is a stickpin he attached to his shirt.
Once per battle, only a single Pokémon for each Trainer may Mega Evolve, while this is true, another thing about the PAL Elites are, their bonds with every single one of their Pokémon are so strong; they can Mega Evolve their Pokémon anytime, thus bypassing the rule. Ash discovered this loophole shortly after he became Champion, thus he was the first person to Mega Evolve more than one Pokémon when he was battling.
Pakura simply shrugged at them.
"By the way, I have news for all of you." Ash said, since all his Elites are here now.
"Yeah, what?" Phillip sounded curious.
"According to Mewtwo, The five Leaders and their guards had escaped from jail." There were cries of shock from his Elites except Pakura, who stayed quiet. The Pokémon looked up, wondering what the chaos was about.
"Enough!" Ash shouted, trying to calm his three Elites down. They shut up upon hearing Ash shout. "They will come for us, and I want you to have your guard up at all times. You never know when they will attack. That's all." He didn't mention Mewtwo's warning of being careful of the quiet one, because he still didn't know what it meant yet, and wanted to figure this out himself.
"Got it." They said in unison, as they finished their breakfast and joined Pakura in the lounge to start returning their Pokémon back to their Pokeballs (except for those intended to use for battle later), and went to place all of the Pokeballs into their respective rooms, before meeting back in the lounge.
When Ash went back to the lounge, his Elites were already ready and waiting for him. All of them had at least one Pokémon out of their Pokeballs, like Ash: Jude's was Purrloin, Rosaline's was her Espeon, Phillip's was Emolga (previously Iris'), and Pakura's was her Sylveon and a Skitty (previously May's) that was riding on her shoulder and hidden in her hair.
"Come on, let's go." He said, and they rode down the elevator to the lobby, and walked out of the tower to the Arena.
When they arrived, it was empty. They must be the first ones to appear. Ash noticed a huge board full of headshots of people.
"The tag pairings must be out." Ash remarked, as he and his Elite got closer.
Ash scanned the board for his face, and found it somewhere near the top few rows. Next to his face was Cynthia's.
'Cool, I got Cynthia.' Ash thought.
Jude raised his eyebrows at his partner. It was a girl with pink hair that is short and spiked at two ends of her hair. She also had matching eyes, and a patch on her nose. She looked rather young for a Gym Leader.
"Maylene, Leader of the Veilstone Gym in Sinnoh. Specializes in Fighting types." Pakura mumbled, startling them.
"How did you know?" Jude asked.
"She used to travel around and collect Gym Badges with her previous travelling companion before she started Coordinating. Did it only for fun though, since she never registered for any Conferences." Rosaline explained. "I also collected Badges when I was travelling with Pakura, but by that time, she already had all the Badges from Kanto to