Walking through the crowds of people made me incredibly nervous. I was getting looks, but nothing that made me think everyone knew who I was.

But here we were. Pokemon League Village. The Gathering place for all the trainers to rest during the League. I could even have a little bungalow house if I wanted to stay here during the competition.

“Oh look!” Mama called out in delight and looked over and winced.

The shops were already being put up along the road to the stadium, and there among piles of stuff was my face.

I stilled for a moment and then walked over.

The shop wasn’t open yet, but there it was. A VHS cassette with my face on it, and images of my team.

“Star Badge Challenges,” I read aloud, and then the year under it.

But… Why was there two? There was the one with my face, and then another video with some other kids' faces on it just beside it.

“I wish the store was open! I’d buy one right now!” Papa said happily and I sank a bit into my cape.

It’s because of what I did huh?

I shook it off and instead turned away. Unconsciously liking the way my cape flared behind me.

Dammit. No wonder Lance started wearing the Cape. It was cool.

“She’s embarrassed.” I heard Mama whisper to Papa behind me as I stalked off, and I just lowered my head and stalked faster.

I wasn’t! I was just… Playing it cool! Yeah.

I hurried away even as Mama giggled at me.

As I got closer and closer to the building where the registry would take place I surprisingly calmed down.

People made me anxious, but battles? Battles didn’t worry me. I stopped before entering and turned.

“Go on Vicky. You know what to do. We’ll be in the stands.” Papa said and I nodded and turned one final time as I entered.

“Welcome! If you are here to register please head to one of the attendants!” A woman in a small business suit greeted me as I entered and I nodded. There was quite a crowd already. Trainers crowded the room, and as I watched they would speak to one of the attendants and then walk through a large side door.

Today wasn’t the first battles. Today was the lighting of the torch…

Team Rocket better not pull their bullshit today. I vaguely remember them trying to steal the Moltres Flame during the ceremony.

I didn’t see anyone I knew yet, so I walked over and got into line. The Trainer ahead of me was probably in their late teens. And as I settled in he turned to look at me, and then looked away, before jerking and giving me a much closer look.

We stared at each other for a while. I was annoyed that I had to look up, but eventually he opened his mouth.

“Aren’t you the one on the front of that Star Badge Video?”

I slumped. “Yeah. I did a bunch of star battles.” I said with a shrug, and that had the boy blink even wider.

“You earned Star Badges?”

“Yeah? Don't you have one?” I asked and he shook his head instantly which had me blinking.

“What? But shouldn’t you have gotten one for your eighth badge?”

“I did four of the smaller gyms to end my run this year. Star battles are rough.” He offered and then looked at me, and I realized he was digging for information, but instead of answering I just looked away.

Great. I thought everyone would have at least one Star Badge, but what I had done was even weirder!? How had I not known that! Pokemon TV had lied to me!

Eventually my silence had the boy look away and soon I was offering my Pokemon ID to the attendant, and I was registered.

“Please head out through that door to the Stadium waiting area! The Lighting of the Flame Ceremony will begin in an hour.” She informed me with a smile and I nodded. Following the guidance she gave me I walked through the doors into a lounge area that was already packed with trainers.

I was actually a little disappointed there were so few pokemon out to pet that I ended up just finding a place against the wall and leaning against it.

Time to wait.

—--

Richard Brushfire

Chief of Kanto Ecology for the League

Richard really wanted a smoke.

He was in the VIP room overlooking the stadium, but unfortunately there was a rule in place no smoking was allowed inside.

Apparently since the glass was clear children could see the important men inside smoking and think it was okay.

President Goodshow’s work Richard had no doubt. For a man that smoked himself, he surely cared to keep the next generation from doing it.

But he still wanted a smoke.

He was overlooking the stadium from a comfortable seat. Somehow his status as a Chief had allowed him access for this day.

He didn’t normally come to the Conference. Happy to watch them at home with his feet up, but that hadn’t been an option this year.

Idly he looked across the room to where Daniel Tsunada was surrounded by his posse of lickspittles.

Then he looked the other way and took in the sight of Johtan political members. The ten or so men were on their own side of the room. The room that was usually conspicuously empty during the conference.

He was surrounded on both sides, and despite being a Kanto patriot, he wasn’t sure which side was more likely to stab him in the back.

The fact Johto had even sent a delegation to watch over the Indigo Conference, instead of just waiting for their turn to host, was telling. Especially since there wasn’t any great Johtan trainer coming through trying to make waves.

No it was the opposite. A Kanto Trainer had swept the entire Johto circuit in days, and had done so with a showing that had the entirety of Johto sitting up and taking notice. At least those in the government that would have heard about it.

Dammit Goodshow, of course you’d be down in the crowd away from this mess, after asking him to come and keep an eye on things.

At least the show today would be short. The actual conference started tomorrow, and that would be a-was that Lance!? He blinked as the Champion walked in through the door, and at his appearance a ripple ran through the room, as people turned to look at the Champion, returned.

Lance had been out of contact for weeks!

“Lance my boy!” A voice called out. The Silver League President, Goodshows counterpart.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“President Elm.” Lance greeted the old man who looked pleased at his appearance.

Of course he was. The Champion being gone had made things a little tense.

“Come boy! Come sit and join me! Tell me about your trip, I heard amazing rumors, of a far forbidden land.”

“Far yes, but it was hardly forbidden. In fact the people of Mossui Town were… Interesting. Kind in their own way.” Lance replied back as he took a seat the President offered him.

Richard noted that Lance looked a little windswept, more than usual anyways. Had he arrived here straight from Kitakami?

Richard sighed. He knew what he was going to have to do. Rising up he brushed his pants of lint that wasn’t there and walked over. Ignoring the quickly growing glares from the old Johtans who were all listening with an eager ear to Lance.

“Champion Lance. Nice to see you again.” He offered a polite greeting, and Lance to his relief responded without malice.

“Richard Brushfire. To you as well. I wanted to thank you again for letting me come along before. Without the information I gained, I would have come from my latest trip emptier handed than I would have liked.”

“Then your trip to Kitakami was successful. I don’t suppose you’d mind terribly if you shared what Pokemon you managed to bring back? As the Chief Ecologist of Kanto, I’ve had more work with Kitakami pokemon than anyone besides a certain trainer.”

“Of course. You’ll be relieved to know that I didn’t find any Mimikyu, so the researchers will go uninjured.” Lance offered a joke that eased tensions as despite Lance's agreement the other men around him were glaring at him.

“That’s more of a relief than you know.”

“I didn’t find anything that young Victoria didn’t bring back, and less besides.” Lance offered with a small sigh. “I’ll be happy to-” Lance cut off as the noise from outside began.

“-These hopeful competitors will battle one another as they strive always for Excellence and Victory!” The intercom piping into the room spoke up Richard having been ignoring it until then, as the crowd picked up into cheers.

“Ah excuse me, it seems the ceremony is beginning.” Lance offered with a smile as he rose to his feet, his cape flaring as he walked out of the box. Probably to watch over the trainers as they entered the stadium.

Soon the Moltres flame would be brought in, but first. Richard walked over to the large glass windows and looked down. The trainers started to enter. Most of them looked normal. The first year trainers, they were small and looking around in awe. The next few years that looked eager for the coming battles, and the older trainers that looked serious. Dedicated.

Those were the ones that had something to prove.

And then there she was. The other headache of the hour.

Victoria Ferrous entered the Stadium, just like all the rest, although the fact she was wearing a cape made Richard want to roll his eyes.

Yet.

Despite still being mostly unknown that wouldn’t last. The video sales would start after this ceremony. People would go buy this year's battle videos. By this evening it would be on the news.

And Richard was very very glad that he was just an ecologist and not dealing with what would happen next.

—--

Ivy was gripping my hand super tight as we walked out of the shadows of the waiting rooms and into the Stadium proper.

Kiba was trying to act calm and collected, but he was freaking out too. He was walking all stiffly under the thousands of eyes looking down on us. Zelos was here too! She was in front of me, although she had refused to walk with us, specifically because of my ‘tacky’ cape.

I had of course told her my Mimikyu had made it, and she had gone all red as she realized she had made a faux pas and hadn’t spoken to me since.

It was hilarious.

I looked up into the crowd of thousands of people. All of them here to see this year's battlers. To see where their friends, or family stood.

How many people up there had someone they knew down here. Cheering them on?

We organized ourselves according to what we were told and waited.

The Ceremony began and I felt my eyes narrow as the girl carrying the Moltres flame came running in. Team Rocket had done some nonsense here, hadn’t they? I looked around but didn’t see any signs of trouble so I relaxed.

I sent a smile to Ivy who returned it shakily and settled in to enjoy the moment.

Which is when I finally spotted Ash.

I narrowed my eyes he was running up the steps after the torch bearer.

Then I realized what was happening, there at the top were two figures standing in front of the flame pedestal.

Dammit.

My hands reached for a pokeball but stopped.

If I interfered could I accidentally make the flame go out? I knew everything would be fine without interference, but…

My decision was taken from me. I watched as Jessie and James stole the torch, lit up the pedestal and then disappeared before a massive… Grasshopper? It looked like a grasshopper. A giant robot appeared and stole the entire pedestal.

Yet, at the same time there was motion and I relaxed.

Before Jessie and James could even get moving. A Dragonite was there. Lance on its back.

I could vaguely hear the screams of shock coming from inside the robot as Lance's Dragonite went to town. Simply plowing through it, and smashing the robot to pieces.

Lance, having landed besides Ash, said something to the boy and I nodded.

Everything was taken care of without me. I might be part of this world now, but that doesn’t mean everything was on my shoulders.

I watched as Team Rocket Blasted off, and then Lance put the pedestal back with Dragonites help.

And the ceremony resumed.

It was a shame though.

My fingers itched to have thrown out my own pokemon and taken part.

—--

“Congratulations!” I called out, drink raised above the table and Kiba quickly joined me grabbing his own drink and smashing it into mine, making a bit of a mess but that was okay. Ivy was next, and even Zelos gave an irritated sigh before raising her glass and tapping ours.

The night after the ceremony we had all gone out to eat at the restaurants that gave free food for the contestants and I had gathered everyone up to share the meal.

“I’m so excited! Aren’t you excited?” I asked, and Kiba nodded his head in a rush even as he was chowing down on some ribs.

“It’s not that big a deal. Just a tiny little conference in Kanto. You should see the Unova Conference. They are ten times as big!” Zelos argued, but I didn’t call her on it, because honestly after the ceremony she had been the most jittery of all of us. I think standing in front of such a large crowd had gotten to her.

“I’m just happy we all made it.” Ivy offered, and I smiled happily at her as she started chowing down on her own meal.

“What, you think any of us from the Tauros Club wouldn’t make it? Mrs. Kurosawa taught us well.” I offered and then snickered as Zelos gave me a glare.

She had never really gotten along with Tauros.

“Ugh don’t remind me. My Parents want me to go back to school after my journey.” Kiba said and I looked at him in surprise.

“Really? Not going to take a few years?”

“Nah.” He said, to my surprise, he didn’t sound down on himself, just confident. “I like battling well enough, but It’s not for me. I’ll do as well as I can here in the conference, and that’ll be good. I got all the badges.”

“Giving up already?” Zelos asked a little cruelly, but Kiba just barked out a laugh.

“Hell no! It’s not giving up! I’ll fight hard to score high here in the conference! Then I’ll go to school and do all that bullshit and just get a job with my family, put my feet up and take it easy! Not all of us are like Vicky.”

“Rude.”

“I think I’ll try again next year if I lose, but I’ll be taking classes too.” Ivy offered and Zelos scoffed, but I again looked at my friends in shock.

“But you’re so talented!”

“Battling isn’t my thing Vicky. With the pokemon we found in Kitakami, I have some rare pokemon to start breeding here in Kanto. So I’m going to be doing that if I can. So I need to take classes, and maybe study under a professor to learn how to best take care of my pokemon.”

“Wow.” I muttered looking around at the table and realizing that only Zelos was really planning on pushing through. “And Zelos, you’re going back to Unova right?” I asked and she smiled and nodded, her nose to the sky.

“That’s right! I’ll have to travel and get my eight badges in Unova, but with Ponyta I’ll be able to travel to the gyms faster, and so I’ll spend more time training my team next year. You taught me that.” She said the last bit a bit blasely, but it was still heartfelt.

“Aww. Thank Zelos… I’m going to miss you.”

“Pfft. I’ll see you again. If you lose before I face you during the conference. I’ll still need to face you again to defeat you utterly. Don’t think I’ll let the fact you’ve beaten me stand.”

“Says the girl challenging Vicky of all people. Are you going to challenge the Champion of Unova too?”

“Don’t be stupid! Alder isn’t some… Weakling like Lance! Alder is the greatest Champion in the world! The Champion of Unova!”

“He sounds like a fun challenge.” A new voice called out, and I blinked as I turned to see a voice I didn’t expect.

“Hey Lance.”

“Dragon Master Victoria.” He greeted me then, while Zelos choked a bit on her words.

“Flying Master Lance.” I greeted back instantly and I delighted in the way Lance rolled his eyes at me.

“Vicky!” Ivy kicked my shin, but it was worth it.

“I was hoping to speak to you for a moment Victoria.”

“Just call me Vicky, Lance. And sure. Grab a seat.” I offered and he seemed amused as his appearance had grabbed a lot of attention.

“Vicky the hell did he mean by Dragon Master?” Kiba whispered a bit too loud in my ear.

“Victoria was acknowledged with the title by the Elder of Blackthorne.” Lance explained as he took a seat. I giggled as a nervous waiter came over and Lance just asked for water.

“Cool.” Kiba offered and I threw him a thumbs up.

“Vicky. Thank you. Your advice was what I needed to form a bond with the Kommo-o. They allowed a young Jangmo-o to join me.”

“That’s great! We’ll have to have our friends meet up. I bet they’ll get a little homesick, so seeing some family will probably cheer them up.”

“Ah. I believe that’s a fine idea.” He offered back accepting the glass of water from the waiter and taking a sip. “I didn’t find any Goomy in the mountain. I looked.”

“That… Really sucks.” I offered, actually disappointed for him.

I wanted to see more Goomy too.

“Indeed. Considering you are the only trainer with any Goomy in all of Kanto… I was wondering what it would take to accept a trade.” He offered and I blinked took exactly half a second and spoke.

“Defeat me, when I face you and I’ll let you try to make a friend with one.” I said instantly, and the entire table and room went suddenly quiet.

“Oh? Just that?”

“That’s right.” I said. It was a win-win for me. Lance would go all out to defeat me if there was something on the line, and if Lance did find a Goomy to partner up with, it meant I might get to see more cute Goodra someday!

Win win.

“Ha, hahaha!” Lance broke out into baritone chuckles that surprised me, but the smile stretching across his face had my own grin growing to match it, and soon I was giggling and laughing alongside him.

“They’re both crazy.” Kiba whispered but Lance and I both ignored him. This was more important.

“Thank you.” Lance offered, still fighting off a smile. “I’ll be taking advantage of that offer. You won’t be defeating me now.”

“You think so? I look forward to forcing you to fight at your best and still wiping the floor with you. Cause your flying types are going to meet the ground.” I added on and cackled at the way his smile turned into a grumpy look for all of a second.

“Must you with that joke again?”

“Stop being a flying type trainer, and we’ll talk!” I replied back with a bit of teasing, and he blinked at me, in a way that had me cackling, he had just resisted rolling his eyes.