Damn, Kalos?

It had been around five months since Gojo's reincarnation and three months since he first set out on his adventure.

During those three months, the world beyond Gojo's immediate reach was far from idle. Events were unfolding, changes were taking shape, and destinies were aligning in ways both familiar and unexpected.

In another part of this vast world, a chapter we all thought we knew had changed.

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"THIS BATTLE IS INCREDIBLE!!! COMPETITOR IRIS HAS SHOWN HER DOMINANCE THROUGHOUT THE MATCH, BUT HER OPPONENT REFUSES TO GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT!" the announcer's voice boomed across the stadium, amplified by the roaring excitement of the crowd.

The screen above the field displayed the intensity of the battle. Iris, standing tall and determined, had only lost three of her Pokémon, while her opponent had lost four. The field was littered with scorch marks and craters, signs of the fierce battle that had taken place.

"THIS MATCH HAS BEEN FULL OF UNEXPECTED TWISTS AND TURNS, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE COME TO EXPECT IN THE FINALS OF THE VERTRESS CONFERENCE!" the announcer continued, her voice heightening the excitement of the audience.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the tension between the two trainers and their Pokémon reached its peak.

"I bet you didn't see this outcome coming, did you?" Iris teased, throwing a sly smile at her opponent.

"Hah! You sure caught us off guard with that!" her opponent replied with a confident grin, clearly enjoying the challenge.

The battlefield bore the marks of an intense clash. Iris's fallen Pokémon included Hydreigon, Excadrill, and Dragonite, while her opponent had lost Servine, Krookodile, Samurott, and Unfezant.

"Well, I'm in a bit of a hurry to become the Champion," Iris said with a confident smirk, her determination shining through. "So, don't mind me if I rush to finish this battle."

She raised her arm and pointed decisively. "Druddigon, use Dragon Pulse!"

Druddigon roared, its body brimming with power as a sphere of draconic energy formed at the opening of its mouth before it unleashed a radiant pulse of energy. The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement reaching fever pitch as the battle escalated.

Her opponent smirked. "Counter with Flamethrower!" he commanded, and his Darmanitan obeyed instantly. Flames erupted from the Fire-type's mouth, colliding with the incoming Dragon Pulse. The two powerful attacks met at the center of the field, triggering a massive explosion that engulfed the entire arena in smoke.

The crowd roared as the tension climbed. Through the thick smoke, a fierce silhouette burst forward—Druddigon, its claws glowing with vibrant green energy. Without hesitation, it charged at Darmanitan, thrusting its Dragon Claw attack with precision and force. The blow connected like a powerful jab, sending Darmanitan tumbling backward, crashing into the protective barriers of the arena before slumping to the ground unconscious.

"Darmanitan is unable to battle!" the referee declared, raising his flag. "The trainer in the blue corner has only one Pokémon remaining. Please make your selection."

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, the excitement reaching a fever pitch. By now, it was clear to everyone who was dominating the match. With a 3-on-1 advantage, the champion was just one step away from victory.

"One step away," Iris whispered to herself, her lips curling into a confident grin. She turned her gaze to her opponent. "What do you think, Ash?"

Ash stood on the opposite side of the battlefield, his gaze fixed on the field with intense determination. The battle hadn't gone the way he planned. He had made mistakes—mistakes that had cost him dearly. But Ash wasn't the kind of trainer to dwell on the past. He knew the only way forward was to give it his all.

With a confident smirk, he looked down at his oldest partner. "Pikachu, are you ready to win this?"

"Pika!" Pikachu replied with a fierce cry, punching the air with determination before leaping into the battlefield. Landing on all fours, Pikachu's cheeks sparked with raw energy, signaling it was ready to give everything it had.

"Iris, you've battled incredibly well today," Ash said, his voice steady but resolute. "You've gotten the better of me so far, but that doesn't mean I'm going down without a fight." With a quick motion, Ash turned his cap backward, his signature move signaling he was ready to give it his all. "Pikachu, let's do this!"

The crowd roared louder, sensing the excitement and determination radiating from both trainers. The final moments of the battle were about to unfold, and no one in the stadium could look away.

"Volt Tackle!" Ash commanded, his voice sharp and precise as he thrust his hand forward.

Pikachu charged its body with electricity, the veil of lightning surrounding it intensifying until the small Electric-type transformed into a speeding bolt of thunder. It shot forward, scattering debris in its wake as the sheer speed made it nearly impossible to track with the naked eye. To the crowd, it looked like a streak of lightning descending from the heavens.

But speed alone wasn't enough to guarantee victory—not at this level of competition.

"Dragon Claw!" Iris shouted, her narrowed eyes fixed on the field.

Druddigon dug its claws into the ground, stabilizing itself as green, draconic energy surged into its hands. The moment Pikachu's electrified form neared, Druddigon thrust its claws forward with precision, intercepting the Volt Tackle. The clash ignited a fierce power struggle, the crackling lightning of Pikachu's attack pushing against the glowing claws of its opponent.

For a brief moment, it seemed as though Pikachu's sheer force might overwhelm the dragon, but the sharp, focused energy of Dragon Claw slashed through the lightning veil. Breaking the tackle and resulting in lightning being blasted behind him into the protective barriers causing a huge explosion.

Pikachu floated in the air momentarily, its body recoiling from the attack, but it quickly recovered its balance.

"Iron Tail!" Ash's voice echoed across the stadium.

Pikachu's tail gleamed silver as it spun mid-air, using the momentum to aim a powerful steel strike at Druddigon.

"Fire Fang! Catch its tail!" Iris countered swiftly.

Flames erupted from Druddigon's mouth as it lunged forward. Pikachu spun with precision, delivering the Iron Tail, but Druddigon's fiery jaws clamped down on the steel-coated appendage.

"Blast it!"

"Electro Ball!"

The collision of Fire Fang and Electro Ball resulted in a massive explosion that forced both Pokémon to retreat to their trainers' sides. The battlefield bore the marks of their ferocious clash—scorched earth and debris scattered everywhere.

Iris had her eyes narrowed, and while she had the advantage with still two more Pokemon remaining even after Pikachu's fall she knew never to underestimate the cute little mouse.

Pikachu's tail was singed, while Druddigon's face bore blackened scorch marks. Smoke poured from the dragon's mouth as it steadied itself, its breathing labored but its eyes still fierce.

Iris smirked. "Outrage" she commanded confidently.

A fiery green aura erupted around Druddigon, its eyes glowing with unrestrained power. The aura quickly turned red, signaling the build-up of its devastating attack. The ground beneath the dragon shattered as it unleashed its rage, charging directly at Pikachu with reckless ferocity.

"Quick Attack! Keep moving and look for openings!" Ash instructed, his voice calm and measured.

Pikachu darted around the battlefield, a blur of motion as it evaded the rampaging dragon. Whenever a chance presented itself, Pikachu landed a hit, striking with lightning-fast precision. But Outrage wasn't an attack that could be outmaneuvered forever.

Eventually, Druddigon landed a glancing blow, sending Pikachu tumbling. Though the Quick Attack had mitigated some of the damage, the hit still left its mark. Pikachu quickly scrambled back to Ash's side, its determined gaze fixed on the raging dragon.

Ash clenched his fist. He knew that he would have to end this battle now if he wanted to take down the rest of Iris's Pokemon and win this battle.

"Volt Tackle" oh yes, one of the most destructive electric-type moves. And it proved exactly why. The small lightning bolt rushed across the battlefield destroying the ground beneath and making contact with the enraged Pokemon.

The crowd gasped as the ground trembled and cracked under the sheer force of its charge as it raced toward the enraged Druddigon.

The collision was destructive. Pikachu struck with full force, breaking Druddigon out of its Outrage and sending it skidding across the battlefield. The dragon landed near Iris, one knee on the ground as it struggled to stand.

"Thunderbolt"

Still, in mid-air from the Volt Tackle's recoil, Pikachu slapped its sparking cheeks, charging up its signature attack. A brilliant bolt of electricity shot forward, tearing through the battlefield and making its way towards the dragon.

Drudigon tried to stand but to no avail as by the time it stood up the attack landed on him.

And we all know what the outcome is when we know that this attack has landed.

There was one more dragon down in the team of Iris.

The referee raised his flag.

"Druddigon is unable to battle! Competitor Iris has two Pokémon remaining!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement echoing through the stadium.

"UNBELIEVABLE! COMPETITOR ASH HAS JUST TAKEN DOWN IRIS' FOURTH POKÉMON WITH A BREATHTAKING DISPLAY OF POWER AND STRATEGY! THIS BATTLE IS FAR FROM OVER!!!!!"

"Pikachu continues to show why it's one of Ash's most trusted partners! With its speed, power, and unyielding determination, it's clear that Ash and Pikachu have no intention of backing down!"

The camera panned to Iris, her confident smirk faltering for just a moment as she considered her next move. She knew she still had the advantage, but against an opponent like Ash, underestimating him could prove costly.

"AND NOW, ALL EYES ARE ON IRIS! WILL SHE BE ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THIS MATCH, OR WILL ASH AND PIKACHU CONTINUE THEIR REMARKABLE COMEBACK? STAY TUNED—THIS BATTLE IS HEATING UP!"

Returning her fallen Pokémon, Iris took a deep breath, a confident smirk creeping onto her face. She reached for a Pokéball on her belt—a special one. It had been a gift from her grandfather, her secret ace in the hole. Now was the perfect moment to unleash it.

Enlarging the Pokéball, she tossed it high into the air with a flourish. The ball spun several times, glinting under the stadium lights before halting mid-arc and bursting open. A brilliant beam of red light shot out, hitting the battlefield and materializing into another dragon.

The crowd gasped as the figure took shape—a sleek, powerful dragon with a shimmering purple body and a long, whip-like tail.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what do we have here?!" the announcer's voice boomed through the stadium. "It's a GOOOOOOOODRAAAA!! A dragon native to Kalos and—get this—a pseudo-legendary! That makes THREE pseudo-legendaries on Iris' team! This competitor is not holding back!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, the energy in the stadium reaching a fever pitch.

Ash narrowed his eyes, analyzing the new opponent. Pikachu stood firm, sparks crackling from its cheeks as it prepared for the next challenge.

"Pikachu, stay sharp," Ash said, his voice steady but filled with resolve.

Goodra let out a deep, resonating roar, its power and grace unmistakable. The ground beneath it seemed to tremble, a testament to the raw energy it radiated. The anticipation in the stadium was electric, the crowd on the edge of their seats.

"Iris is pulling out all the stops now!" the announcer exclaimed, his voice rising with excitement. "Goodra, a Pokémon she hasn't revealed throughout the entire tournament, has entered the battlefield! This unexpected ace is turning up the heat in this already thrilling match!"

Iris adjusted her cape with a confident grin. "Let's show them what you're made of, Goodra! Start with Rain Dance!"

Goodra raised its arms gracefully, and a mystical aura enveloped the battlefield. Dark clouds swirled into existence above the arena, their heavy presence casting an ominous shadow. Within moments, rain began to pour, drenching the field in a steady downpour.

"Looks like Iris is setting the stage for a water-based assault! Goodra's Rain Dance is sure to turn the tide of this match—quite literally!"

But Ash wasn't fazed. In fact, his lips curled into a smirk, confidence emanating from him. "Rain Dance? Against us? That's a mistake. Pikachu, let's turn that rain into a raging storm! Thunder"

Pikachu launched itself into the air, its body crackling with intense energy as it absorbed the atmospheric charge. The rain amplified the electrical surge, and with a fierce cry, Pikachu unleashed a colossal bolt of lightning. The Thunder attack roared through the stormy sky, a bright, blinding streak of power aimed directly at the formed black clouds.

Iris really shouldn't have used rain dance in this situation and it was apparent a moment later when the water droplets were infused with electricity and lightning bolts were raining down.

Ash and Pikachu couldn't stop smirking at the move Iris had made. They would sure make her regret it.

In this case, Iris had trained her Goodra to have equal water and dragon moves. And with the move Ash had made, her water attacks are more than nullified and she can't find a way to make them effective again.

"This won't stop us, Goodra! Ice beam" but of course, being the granddaughter of Drayden came with a few perks, including pieces of advice.

The beam of glaciers was launched into the battlefield, it had a lot of varying effects with the addition of rain dance. Freezing the droplets it made contact with creating ice walls across the battlefield. "Let's reduce their mobility, cover the battlefield with ice!" Iris regaining her confidence ordered.

The battlefield began to change drastically as Goodra's Ice Beam weaved through the rain. Droplets crystallized mid-air, forming jagged shards of ice that fell to the ground, creating a treacherous terrain. The battlefield was now littered with slick patches of ice, making movement far riskier for Pikachu.

Ash's smirk never wavered, though his eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. "Alright, Pikachu, be careful! Use Quick Attack to stay agile and find an opening!"

Pikachu darted forward, its nimble feet skimming over the icy patches with incredible speed. The slippery terrain made every step precarious, but Pikachu's Quick Attack allowed it to maintain momentum, weaving through the maze of ice walls.

"Goodra, keep it off-balance! Fire another Ice Beam to block its path!" Iris commanded, her voice sharp.

Goodra unleashed another beam of freezing energy, targeting Pikachu's path. Though the attack missed directly, it struck the ground ahead, creating a towering wall of ice that forced Pikachu to swerve sharply. The slick terrain made the maneuver precarious, but Pikachu managed to recover with a quick leap, landing nimbly on a stable patch.

"Don't let up, Pikachu! Iron Tail!" Ash's voice cut through the tension.

Pikachu spun mid-air, its tail glowing with a brilliant metallic silver. With a powerful swing, it slammed into one of the icy walls, shattering it into glimmering shards. The impact sent debris flying across the battlefield, pelting Goodra with icy fragments.

Ash's eyes lit up as an idea sparked in his mind. His expression shifted from cautious focus to strategic confidence. "Pikachu! Let's use those walls to our advantage. Iron Tail the walls and aim the debris at Goodra!"

Pikachu's ears twitched, acknowledging the command. The agile electric field darted from one ice wall to another, its tail glowing brightly as it slammed into each structure with precision. The walls shattered into shards, which spiraled across the battlefield like a storm of crystalline daggers.

Goodra roared as the icy assault struck its thick hide. Dragons were naturally weak to ice, and in this case, the shards—amplified by the rain and residual electricity in the air—were relentless. The ice began to melt mid-flight, creating a swirling blizzard of water and slush that battered Goodra with devastating force. The dragon's deep groans turned into pained cries as the icy barrage found its mark over and over.

The stadium was in awe, the crowd erupting in cheers and gasps as the tables seemed to turn.

"INCREDIBLE! ASH AND PIKACHU HAVE TURNED THE TERRAIN AGAINST IRIS, AND GOODRA IS TAKING HEAVY DAMAGE FROM THAT IMPROVISED BLIZZARD!" the announcer boomed, hyping up the crowd even further.

Iris gritted her teeth, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. She could only watch as her Pokémon endured the relentless attack, unable to retaliate. Goodra's cries echoed across the arena, its strength visibly waning.

The onslaught finally stopped as Pikachu shattered the last ice wall, the field now devoid of its frozen barricades. Ash's confidence was palpable, his smirk broadening as he saw the damage done.

But Iris seized the brief opening. Her eyes flashed with determination, and she raised her hand sharply. "Goodra, Dragon Pulse!"

Goodra, battered but not defeated, roared with a surge of resolve. A swirling sphere of energy formed in its mouth, glowing with a vivid purple hue. The rain amplified the attack, water spiraling around the energy to create a devastating rain-infused Dragon Pulse.

The pulse tore through the field like a tidal wave of draconic power, heading straight for Pikachu. The Electric-type, still catching its breath after its relentless assault, was caught off-guard. The timing was perfect—pure luck on Iris's part.

The Dragon Pulse struck Pikachu point-blank, sending a shockwave rippling across the battlefield. Pikachu cried out, its small body thrown backward by the sheer force of the attack. The energy crackled and dissipated, leaving the mouse Pokémon sprawled on the ground, its breaths labored.

"Pikachu!" Ash shouted, his voice breaking through the cheers and gasps of the crowd. His earlier confidence wavered, replaced by worry as his partner struggled to stand.

"WHAT A TURNAROUND!" the announcer exclaimed. "GOODRA LANDED A DEVASTATING DRAGON PULSE RIGHT WHEN IT NEEDED TO MOST! ASH'S MOMENTUM HAS COME TO A HALT—FOR NOW!"

Iris exhaled sharply, relief washing over her as she saw Goodra holding its ground despite the punishment it had endured. "We're not done yet, Ash!" she declared, her confidence returning.

Ash returned her smirk.

"Pikachu!"

The yellow rodent unleashed its Thunder attacks with ferocious intensity, illuminating the rain-soaked battlefield with flashes of brilliant lightning. The cascading sparks enveloped Pikachu in a radiant veil of electricity, amplifying its aura of power.

"Let's win this!"

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What of that incident?"

"Nothing. Except... there's a survivor."

Heads turned sharply toward the speaker, the air thick with tension.

"You can't be serious."

"Heh, now that's interesting."

"Unexpected, I'll admit. A bit refreshing, wouldn't you say?"

The chamber was cloaked in shadow, its location concealed from the world—an unnamed cave in a forgotten region.

"Save your commentary," came a clipped voice, cutting through the murmurs.

Silence.

"We didn't anticipate this, true. But there's no cause for concern. The survivor... is just a 16-year-old boy. If something like this rattles you, how do you expect to handle the rest?"

The weight of the statement hung heavy. No one dared to respond.

"Moving on," the speaker's raspy voice echoed, age and authority dripping from every word.

"What of the operations in Hisui?"

A pause. Then another voice emerged from the darkness, calm but laced with precision.

"Progressing as planned. The interference we expected has yet to manifest. We'll proceed with the next phase soon."

"And the energy levels?"

"Stable, for now. But we'll need more... much more. If we're to reach the thresholds outlined, we can't afford any delays."

A faint chuckle from another corner of the room. "Thresholds, plans, operations... does no one else feel the irony? Scrambling over scraps of energy in a world that will soon bow to us regardless?"

"Careful," the rasping voice warned. "Overconfidence has undone greater forces than ours."

Another silence. Tense, weighted.

"And the boy?" someone finally asked, their tone laced with curiosity, perhaps unease.

"Leave him." The rasped voice was final, unyielding. "If he becomes a problem... he will be dealt with."

No one argued.

"Now," the voice continued, low and deliberate, "return your focus. Hisui. Kalos. Unova. The pieces are falling into place. Let us ensure they fall our way."

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, what's the progress?" asked a blonde woman, her tone sharp and no-nonsense.

"Nothing," came the grim reply. "As far as my tracking goes, this is a dead end."

A sigh escaped Cynthia, the champion of Sinnoh. Her piercing gray eyes flicked over the barren landscape before them, frustration barely masked on her otherwise composed face.

"We don't know if this is the reformation of Team Galactic or something entirely new," she admitted, crossing her arms. "And that... bothers me more than I care to admit."

"You're not the only one, Miss Champion," Looker, the seasoned International Police officer, muttered, his expression weary as he scanned the area. "This dead end has us all on edge."

Cynthia gave a small, bitter chuckle. "Well, no use dwelling on it now. I still have 'champion duties' to attend to." Her lips quirked into a smirk as she turned toward her sleek black jeep, the engine idling softly.

Looker cast a longing glance at her retreating figure, a pang of jealousy in his voice as he muttered, "Wish I was anywhere but here right now."

The Sinnoh Champion paused briefly, her smirk widening as she called back over her shoulder, "Hang in there, Looker. You'll crack it... eventually."

As her jeep roared to life and began to roll away, Cynthia leaned back in her seat, her mind already shifting gears.

"Sigh… as if I didn't already have enough on my plate," she murmured to herself. Her thoughts turned to a certain determined young trainer. "Looks like it's time to assign Paul some new work."

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Author's Notes:-

YOO!

How are you guys??

I'm so sorry for the long wait for this chapter. Honestly, I thought it would be out months ago, but here we are.

If you're wondering why it took so long... well, it's the classic excuse, isn't it? The editor took two months to get this out—totally not my fault. (Explain yourself, NB.)

Alright, jokes aside, I hit a bit of a writer's block while figuring out how to shape the future chapters. I also really wanted to include an interlude, so I figured, why not just get that out first? And here we are.

I'd love to release the next chapter as soon as possible. If I could, I'd post it tomorrow, but with finals around the corner and the added pressure from college and home, I have very little time to write. My plan is to get the next chapter out by the end of this month. It'll likely be about the same length as this one since I won't have much time, but if there's a delay, I'll make it up with a longer chapter.

To all my readers who are still sticking with me and this story, thank you so much for your patience and support. I promise not to drop this fic and will see it through to the best of my abilities.

Signing off,

SG

Editor's Note:

I apologise to everyone who supports our project. We took our time with this chapter as he and I were both pretty busy. Sorry for releasing this chapter after like one month after the release of the last chapter. And those who are still reading our chapters, THANK YOU..