The Shingo vs. Chigusa battle had been ongoing; it was just a back-and-forth with neither of them wanting to be the one who lost.

Even though Chigusa had the advantage because Fighting was strong against Shingo's Steel-type Pokémon, Shingo had his own trump card, his Mega Evolution, which allowed Blade to Mega Evolve.

Now it was down to their final Pokémon. Mega-Blade had taken down the rest of Chigusa's team, leaving her with just Hitmontop.

Chigusa bit her lip and clenched her fists. "Hitmontop, we can still win this! You've got this!" Chigusa called out.

Hitmontop's expression was fierce as it wiped its lip and jumped up to spin on its head, trying to create some space between itself and Mega-Blade.

"Blade, finish this with [Bullet Punch]," Shingo commanded sharply.

Mega-Blade darted forward, its claws glowing with the power of Bullet Punch, aiming directly at Hitmontop. The hit would likely finish it, but Chigusa didn't let it happen.

"Dodge and use [Counter]!" she yelled.

Hitmontop quickly spun to the side, narrowly avoiding Blade's attack. Then, in one fluid motion, it lashed out, delivering a spinning kick to Blade's face. The impact sent it back a few feet.

Shingo's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Don't let up, Blade! Push harder! Use [X-Scissor]!"

Blade staggered slightly before launching forward again, claws crossing in an X as it aimed for Hitmontop. Its claws glowed green

But Chigusa countered, "Hitmontop, use [Rolling Kick]!"

Hitmontop, already mid-spin, twisted in the air and rocketed toward Blade. The kick collided with Mega-Blade's chest just as the X-Scissor slashed through the air. Hitmontop's foot crashed against the claws. The collision sent them both sprawling back, their exhausted forms staggering to stay on their feet

Shingo's jaw clenched. "Blade, you've got this… hang on!"

Chigusa took a breath and reached into her pocket. "Not this time. It's my turn. My grandpa gave me this, and I've been saving it for just this!" Chigusa pulled out a Z-band from her pocket and put it on her wrist. On it was already a Fightinium Z. "Let's end this right now!"

She held her wrist out in front of her. "Hitmontop, let's end this right now!" With a swift motion, she pointed toward Blade and began the dance for the Fighting Z-Move, before striking the final pose. "[All-Out Pummeling]!"

Hitmontop mimicked Chigusa's pose as it began spinning quickly on its head. Then its feet started glowing orange, and a series of glowing orange kicks shot out one after another toward Blade.

Shingo's eyes widened. Based on his analysis of Chigusa, this wasn't something he had a plan for, and yet he didn't seem to care. He just smiled. "Blade, don't let her win! [Close Combat]!"

Blade dashed forward, claws raised as he punched through each of the incoming orange kicks one after another, closing the distance between them. Then, when Blade was close, he raised his claw one last time. Hitmontop, too, collected all the remaining energy from the Z-move into its foot and kicked up, meeting Blade halfway. They clashed so hard that the ground beneath them cracked and exploded.

As the attacks landed, the center was covered in smoke and dust. No one could see who had won. Shingo and Chigusa both held their breath as they saw the smoke starting to disperse.

Then, in the center, both Blade and Hitmontop were on the ground, knocked out. Blade had reverted to its base form. The referee raised his hand and called out, "Double Knockout!"

Chigusa and Shingo both stood, their gazes locked on each other. Neither spoke immediately, their breathing heavy. Technically, their families had said not to lose to each other, but they never said anything about winning, just not losing. So, a tie counts, right?

—

After that battle, it was the last battle of the day, and the last one before the main events of the Top 16 started. But before that, they were going to have the Gym Leader exhibition matches.

These kinds of battles happened in many more places than just Kanto and Johto, but Kanto and Johto are the most well-known because it's generally agreed upon that Kanto is the most advanced region technology-wise.

Johto isn't as advanced, and yet they still have these to promote the merging of Johto and Kanto into one super region because of Lance's efforts. These battles happen once every three years. In fact, Brock had once participated in one too, but he didn't do well because he was much weaker than the current Brock. At the time, he lost to Jasmine's predecessor.

Back then, it was pretty clear that Johto won most of the matches, announcing them as the winners. This was because they had retired gym veterans, while Kanto had heavy hitters like pre-potential-unlocked Brock, Misty's sisters, an emotionally unstable Sabrina, and Erika's mom, who wasn't even interested in battling before she passed the title to Erika.

But things were different now. A lot of the old gym leaders retired and were replaced by younger ones, like obviously Jasmine, but also Morty, who had only recently become a Gym Leader, and Whitney, who had also just become one. Bugsy was another recent addition. Now, yes, all of them had way more potential than the old veterans, but experience trumps potential 7 times out of 10. So, in a way, Johto was both weaker and stronger. The same could be said for Kanto, since they also lost Koga, who had been an Elite 4-ranked trainer.

Then there was Kanto, which this time had post-Potential-Unlocked Brock and Misty. Erika was the Gym Leader, Sabrina wasn't emotionally unstable anymore, and Giovanni was a Champion-ranked trainer.

Now, obviously, people like Giovanni, who was Champion-ranked, and Pryce, who was Elite 4-ranked, would be holding back. Speaking of them, Kanto and Johto had to choose a captain to strategize for them, and the answer wasn't even a question, Giovanni and Pryce were chosen as the captains for Kanto and Johto.

But right now, it wasn't the time for that, because we were with Ash. Ash and his friends, plus Gary, were sitting at a soda bar (since they were all minors) and drinking soda.

Shingo and Chigusa were gulping down soda like it was actual beer, and they looked drunk, even though they literally just drank soda. It was just the atmosphere that made them feel that way, as they complained about how the battle ended.

"That was so stupid. I had it," Shingo muttered, his voice muffled by the bar. "I should've won that…"

"Oh, please, Shingo," Chigusa slurred slightly, her eyes half-lidded. "Y-you got knocked out by my spinning top, don't even—hic—don't even try and make excuses now."

Ash raised an eyebrow and turned to the others. "Well, at least they're still standing… kind of."

Ethan, sitting beside Ash with his arms crossed, just laughed. "You'd think they'd know how to handle defeat by now. Looks like they've still got some growing up to do."

"You think?" Ash smirked. "They're about as subtle as a Tauros in a glass shop."

Lyra, looking amused, took a sip of her melon soda. "I still ship it, though," she said with a teasing grin,

"You know what, I'm starting to see it," Green nodded her head, watching.

"Yeah, same," Ash added, as he stood up and pushed them both away from each other,"Ladies, ladies, you're both pretty, now stop arguing before I cut you off."

"He/She started it!" Shingo and Chigusa said in unison, pointing at each other.

Kris leaned over to Lyra. "I hate the fact that I'm starting to see it…"

The conversation shifted into more playful banter as the group relaxed, the tension of the match still lingering but fading under the laughter.

"Honestly, you two should just get a room," Green teased, glancing back and forth between Shingo and Chigusa, who were still giving each other side-eye like it was the most dramatic thing in the world.

"No! You're the one who's—" Shingo began, but Chigusa immediately interrupted with, "—not allowed to talk about it!"

Ash leaned in closer to Ethan, giving him a sly look. "I swear, they act like they're in some kind of high school drama. It's hilarious."

Ethan just shrugged, smirking. "Hey, if it helps them keep their minds off losing, I'm all for it."

By the way Silver was here, he just sat next to Green and didn't say much, drinking surprisingly some strawberry soda, but he wouldn't outright admit it was his favorite, just that he was drinking it because Green ordered it and it'd be a waste, even though Green knows Silver loves strawberries.

Silver took another sip of his strawberry soda, eyes fixed somewhere ahead like he was contemplating whether he should stay.

"You like it," Green said without looking at him, as Molly was resting on her lap.

"I'm drinking it so it doesn't go to waste," Silver deadpanned, still not making eye contact.

"You love strawberries," she shot back with a smirk.

He glanced at her, face blank. "Coincidence."

"Sure, and I wear these shorts ironically," Green snorted, gesturing to her outfit. "Which I don't."

"You know what I don't love?" Ethan piped up, stretching his arms dramatically. "The fact that we've been sitting here for twenty minutes and no one's challenged me to an arm-wrestle yet. What kind of Champion-tier bonding is this? Ash, you and me!"

"You don't want this…" Ash said slowly…

"Oh, I think I will, come on, do it right now!" Ethan said excitedly.

"I'm saying this for your own good. I can't promise I won't break your arm…" Ash said matter-of-factly.

"You're exaggerating," Kris said, raising an eyebrow.

"No, no, he's not," Green, Gary, and Yellow said in unison.

"Still, I bet you've never arm-wrestled anyone like me!" Ethan said, taking off his jacket and putting his elbow on the bar.

Ash sighed, "I warned you…" He took off his hoodie and put it on Molly, then he rolled up his sleeves as people suddenly remembered, yeah, Ash is pretty muscular. Even Green, Gary, and Yellow, who know him well, forgot that even without Aura, Ash is still strong as hell.

Ash went to the other side and gripped Ethan's hand, and it was like looking at an adult vs a child.

"Wait… what the heck?!" Ethan blinked, then looked around. "Why didn't anyone tell me Ash was hiding a sleeper build under all that fabric?"

Gary scoffed and rolled his eyes. "We did. You just never believed us."

"I thought you were joking!" Ethan barked, eyes wide as he glanced at Ash's forearm. "Dude looks like he could arm-wrestle a Machamp and win."

Yellow tilted her head a few times. "I mean… it wasn't an arm-wrestling contest."

"You've got to be kidding me…" Ethan muttered.

"Remember, you literally asked for this," Ash said.

Lyra (who was openly ogling Ash's muscles) went over, "Okay, I'll be the ref." She put her hands over theirs, mostly as an excuse to hold Ash's forearm. Then, when she let go, Ash shot Ethan's hand down, leaving an imprint of Ethan's hand on the wood.

Ethan pulled his hand back and held it. "Man, that stings!"

"I did warn you," Ash said as he went over, took his hoodie back from Molly, and put it on again.

"Yeah, I'm just surprised you didn't break a few bones there," Green said, tapping her chin.

"I think my pride's more hurt than my hand," Ethan muttered, rubbing his hand.

"Oh, grow up, you asked for it," Kris said, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, Ethan, man up," Vincent immediately said. "I mean, I wouldn't act like that if it happened to me. Come on."

"Oh yeah?" Gary raised an eyebrow and smirked. "How about you do it now?"

Vincent deflated. "I-uh, well, Ash put on his hoodie. I wouldn't want to—"

But Ash interrupted him, "Only my left hand went in. My right hand is still good to go."

Vincent blinked. "Wait, really?"

Ash just smiled and cracked his right knuckles, resting his elbow casually on the counter again. "Still want to test your luck?"

Vincent looked around, as if searching for an escape route. "You know, now that I think about it, I might've strained my wrist earlier. Throwing Pokéballs too hard. Real sports injury."

"Chicken," Ethan coughed into his hand.

"I heard that," Vincent shot back, trying to keep his dignity intact.

Lyra smirked and leaned back in her seat. "Classic Vincent."

"Hey!" Vincent huffed. "I'm not scared, just… preserving myself for the main event."

Ash chuckled, as he looked at his phone and excused himself for a bit, going over to a corner where Yellow was sitting with Pikachu, Vee, and Chuchu. He looked at his phone.

Yellow looked over. "Still nothing…"

Ash nodded. "Yeah, I'm still left on read…" Ash muttered as he sighed.

"I hope they're okay…" Yellow muttered.

Ash thought for a moment, then he got an evil idea. He pressed a few buttons, and on the Dex nav feature, there were the small icons of Brock and Misty. "Looks like I found them~"

Yellow blinked. "I… how?"

"I put a tracker in their phones," Ash said, and when he saw Yellow's surprised face, he chuckled. "Joking, they left their 'Find Friend' on."

"Oh, okay. But it's nice to know they're here," Yellow sighed.

"Yeah…" Ash said, as he smirked. "Wanna go crash it?"

Yellow covered her mouth. "Wait, aren't they with the other Gym leaders? We can't."

"And yet we must," Ash said, like it was a sacred mission.

"No, we can't. It's-no!" Yellow tried protesting, but her protests were weak. "I won't do it—"

"I'll buy you ice cream later."

"You think you can buy me so easily! I cannot be bought—"

"Two scoops and sprinkles," Ash added.

"When do we go?" Yellow immediately sat up.

Ash chuckled. "Give me a sec." He turned and walked back to the group. He grabbed some money from his wallet and put it on the table. "Hey, Green, the next few rounds are on me if you take care of Molly for me."

"Free drinks and I get to spend more time with Molly, what a steal," Green smirked. "Just don't blame me if she calls me big sister from now on, mwahaha!"

Molly shook her head. "Mmm, no, Ash is my big brother, you're just Big Sis-adjacent," which made Green deflate like a balloon.

"Where are you going anyway?" Ethen asked.

"Oh, gonna go crash the Gym leader's party, see ya," Ash said as he walked out with Yellow next to him.

Green nodded. "Oh yeah, just gonna—" Green froze when she realized what Ash had just said. "Wait, you're going to crash that… without me!? Ketchum!!!" But Ash was already gone.

—

The reserved lounge inside the League Hall was filled with quiet chatter and clinking glasses. Most of the Gym leaders were already here, but a few of the older members like Giovanni, Pryce, and Blaine weren't here yet.

Most of the Gym Leaders were sitting in small clusters, exchanging polite chatter. The group from Johto was relaxed, with Morty and Bugsy leaning back, while Falkner and Janine were engaged in a quieter conversation. Whitney, Jasmine, and Erika sat across from them, sipping on tea. Well, it would be quite peaceful if Whitney wasn't there.

Misty sat at the edge of a velvet couch, gently stirring the ice in her drink with the straw but not sipping it. Her gaze kept flickering to her PokéGear sitting facedown on the table. Brock, a few seats away, leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, his phone dark in his palm.

"…You haven't responded either, huh?" Misty said quietly.

Brock shook his head slowly. "No. I… I keep opening the messages and then just… locking the screen again."

There were a few unread texts from Ash. Nothing accusatory. Just… him, being him. Little updates. A joke. A meme. A picture of Molly eating an absurdly tall ice cream. A "you good?" from a couple of hours ago.

"We're the ones who told him he needed to take care of himself more," Misty muttered. "And now that he actually is doing better… We go radio silent. Real great friends we are."

Brock exhaled, dragging a hand down his face. "It's not that I don't want to talk to him. I just… I don't know what to say, after everything he did for us. After how much he's done."

"Yeah…" Misty replied, her voice soft. "Like... how do you say thank you for everything? For making us as strong as we are, for pushing us to follow our dreams, for letting us be better, for saving us, for… everything… and still being Ash?"

"…It's dumb," Misty said suddenly, still looking at her untouched drink. "It's Ash. We can talk to Ash about anything. So why is this so hard?"

"Because we're not sure if it's enough," Brock murmured, his fingers turning the phone slowly in his palm. "After everything he's done, everything he's been through, and he just keeps checking in like nothing happened. Like he's not the reason we're even standing here."

"…I miss him," Misty admitted finally. "I miss the way he just… understood us. Without needing to say anything," she said, remembering their late-night talks.

Brock nodded once. "Same," he admitted. At this point, Ash was like another brother to him.

"I… we should say something," Misty said, picking up her phone. "He deserves that much at least…"

Brock nodded, and just as he was going to grab his phone, the door was pushed open and a voice came in, "It's ya Boy!" It was Ash's voice.

Heads turned.

In stepped Ash Ketchum, grinning like he'd just won the whole conference himself, with Yellow in tow, trying (and failing) to suppress a giggle.

"Ash?!" Misty and Brock said at the same time, bolting upright.

"Ash!" Jasmine blinked in surprise, sitting up straighter from her seat beside Morty. "What are you doing here?"

"You're not supposed to be in here yet," Falkner added with a furrowed brow, though the corner of his mouth twitched, like he couldn't decide whether to be annoyed or impressed.

Ash just smirked. "Oh, I know. I came to crash the party."

Jasmine raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smile. "Ash, you're not even supposed to be in here yet," she said playfully.

"Too late, who's gonna stop me?" Ash said, then looked around with exaggerated flair. "Figured since I saved most of you at least once, I get a pass~."

"Save most of us?" Whitney laughed as she flexed her arm. "That's an understatement. You fixed my arm and helped Jasmine when Olivine was collapsing. Speaking of which, I still haven't gotten you a gift after you fixed my arm."

Jasmine chuckled. "Yeah, I'm still glad you came when you did. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't."

Ash waved his hand and smiled as he pointed at his chest where the necklace Jasmine got him as a gift was. "Don't mention it. I just did what I can, always."

"Yes, and Ash, I never got the chance to properly thank you after you sent me that gift. It helped more than you think," Erika said with a small, gentle smile.

"It's nothing. What was I gonna do, not get you something for your birthday? After all we've been through," Ash said teasingly.

Falkner, who had been watching Ash from the corner of the room, put his hands on his waist, "So you really are the 'life of the party,' huh?" He chuckled, but the corners of his lips twitched upward, still remembering when they worked together and fought off the Legendary Beasts, even if they didn't technically win

"Why not?" Ash grinned back.

Morty crossed his arms and nodded. "As expected of the Rainbow Hero…" he said, but no one really understood what he meant, so they chose to ignore it.

Ash then turned to Misty and Brock, eyes glinting with mischief. "How's it going, you two? Still on the silent treatment with me, huh?"

Misty blushed, feeling a sudden wave of guilt. "Ash, we—"

"Don't worry about it." Ash cut her off with a wave of his hand, sitting down casually across from her. He was always like that. Never too serious, even when he probably should be. "You guys were just busy, right? I get it."

Brock let out a long breath, his internal guilt ebbing slightly. "Yeah, but… it's just been weird, you know? I don't even know how to start."

"Start by not overthinking it." Ash shrugged again, flashing a grin. "Come on, you should know I don't do the things I do to get a thank you from you two. I do it because you're my friends. Simple as that."

As he smiled, suddenly he felt himself getting picked up. He started floating, and as he was sitting in the air, he floated over to Sabrina. As he was in front of her, she crossed her arms in front of him. "Don't you think you forgot to text someone that you were gonna be here?"

Ash let out a chuckle as he crossed his legs in the air and floated upside down. "Hey, I'm here now, aren't I, Onee-chan?~"

Sabrina's eyes softened, and she gently set Ash on the couch next to her. "I'll forgive you for now." Then she looked over at Yellow.

Yellow opened her mouth, then closed it, then slowly walked over and sat on the other side of Sabrina since she could just pick her up if she wanted.

"So, don't let me interrupt. How about we keep this party going?" Ash said with a little smirk.

Everyone was more than happy to start again. They all liked Ash. You could say the bit about Ash befriending each of the Gym leaders came in handy, didn't it?

Well, except when the door was kicked open again, and Clair marched in, pointing at Ash. "There you are. I need to solidify my right as your new favorite Dragon Cousin!"

Yep, he wasn't sure if it was a good thing or bad that he was friends with most of the Gym leaders, most is the key word there. But hey, he isn't gonna complain. If he's being passed around like a prized possession, he's gonna embrace it for the memes.