Author's Update Note (11/26/18): Hey guys. In order to improve the quality of Destiny Rebirth, there will be major changes in some of the chapters, like this one. Normally, we would see Ash and friends leaving to go see Trevor and a conversation between Trevor and Gregor, his Mewtwo. That part has been cut out because it would cause confusion with the following chapter, especially since Magical Tale chapter has been deleted. Hope you all understand the decision and continue to enjoy the story.

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Lance stood in the back of the box, as he took in the aftermath of the heated battle between Trevor and Ritchie. He felt a tug on his arm. He turned and gasped, silently, at what he saw.

Sabrina's normally cool and collective demeanor, which could send chills down the spines of even the champions, was shattered. She held a terrified look in her eyes, as she panted, attempting to catch her breath. Lance took a quick glance over his shoulder. An annoyed grunt escaped his mouth, as he saw Cynthia was staring back at the two Kanto natives, with a curious expression across her face.

"Come on, Sabrina," Lance said.

He motioned for Sabrina to follow him, out the door and into the atrium of the stadium. The atrium wasn't crowded. The only life, that walked its halls, was the two powerful trainers, along with a few scattered fans, who were heading to get snacks.

Lance saw a look in the wall, of the atrium, which would provide the champion and Gym Leader some privacy. He turned as he stepped into the small space and saw Sabrina also stepping into the shadows.

"This had better be good, Sabrina," Lance said annoyed. "Your little appearance caught Cynthia's attention. We don't want anyone else knowing about our little investigation here, especially her."

"Oh trust me, Lance. It is well worth your time." Sabrina stated to the Kanto and Johto champion.

"Spit it out, then!" Lance snarled.

He could feel his frustration beginning to boil over. After witnessing Aaron's display of power, he had begun to feel more pressure to find out the identity of the two mysterious trainers. He was, after all, the champion of not one, but two regions. Despite that, he had felt powerless as he could do nothing about them.

Sabrina hesitated, as she sensed the annoyance and anger growing in the Kanto and Johto champion. She shook it off, as she began to choose her words carefully.

"I know who our two mystery trainers are." She answered.

Instantly, Lance's demeanor changed. A small smile began to appear on his face, as his wish seemed to have finally come true.

"Very good, Sabrina," he stated, before asking Sabrina the question that's been on his mind, ever since the tournament began "So who are our two mysterious competitors?"

"Ash Ketchum and Giovanni." Sabrina kept her composure, as Lance's demeanor changed again.

"Is this some kind of a joke, Sabrina?!" he spat.

"They have both retu-" she was interrupted by the now screaming Kanto and Johto champion.

"Both of them died five years ago in Kalos!" Lance exclaimed. "You expect me to believe that two people could have survived the explosion that enveloped the Rocket Kalos HQ? Impossible! The very foundation was obliterated, and you expect me to believe that two people, who were closest to the detonation, survived that? Although Ash and Giovanni have escaped death before, there's no way that they could have survived that!"

Sabrina closed her eyes. She took a deep breath in before exhaling, and then, looked back at Lance. Her gaze didn't falter.

Lance, I'm telling you the truth!"

Lance shook slightly, as the psychic specialist had found her nerves, once again.

"Ash and Giovanni have returned! They're currently on a crash course, for the tournament finals, as they both seek to finish what they started five years ago."

"How do you know that they are, who you say, they are?"

"Please Lance!" it was now Sabrina, who was annoyed. "That fire, burning within his eyes, as he battled against Paul, no one has that kind of fire, except for Ash. Then add that with the hatred, which both Aaron and Sakaki hold for each other; and the fact that they both have memories of an explosion, it doesn't get much more obvious than that."

Lance began to muddle through the facts, presented to him by the Saffron City Gym Leader. It was starting to make sense, but something was still not adding up here.

"But you said that you couldn't find anything. You stated that they were hiding their true identities from you. How did you come to this conclusion?" Lance questioned.

"During his battle with Paul, Ash finally let go of his emotions," she answered. "He didn't hold back when he released his Charizard. He let his battling spirit finally come out. That was when I recognized him, from his time in Kanto, twelve years ago. Not many people have that kind of fight."

Lance chuckled, as he remembered his encounters with Ash.

"Yeah, that is true," he said. "Any more proof?"

Sabrina smiled and nodded. "I checked the minds of his friends, specifically Serena, as they were exiting out of the suite, while I was heading towards the elite suite, to get you. Serena knows it is him, along with one Gary Oak and Trevor."

Lance lifted an eyebrow at this new information. "How do Gary and Trevor know that Aaron is really Ash?"

"I believe Gary knew that it was Ash, who stole his own Pokéballs five years ago. As for Trevor, he found out a few nights ago, when he accidentally listened in on Ash's conversation with Giovanni in the room, next to his, through Mewtwo's telepathy." Sabrina shrugged and continue, "but I didn't investigate any further, to make sure and view the memory. I just wanted to confirm if it was Ash. When I got what I needed, I stopped."

Lance hummed. His gaze shifted to the ground, as he nodded his head. His mind was rapidly racing through the many options, which he was now presented with. He was snapped out of his thoughts when Sabrina spoke up.

"Huh? What was that?" he muttered, as he lifted his gaze to meet the green-haired Gym Leader's own.

"I asked, what should we do now?" Sabrina repeated.

Again, Lance's gaze shifted to the ground. "Right now, I think it's best if we keep tabs on them both. Whatever is going to happen, it's obvious that it'll take place during the finals. Tell me, Sabrina, will Ash, being here, put people in danger?"

Sabrina was now the one, who had a confused expression across her face.

"Well, not inherently. No. But as I have said before, Giovanni is here and it's clear that those two want nothing more than to battle each other. Who knows how much damage those two could cause during their confrontation. But if you're asking if he's a threat in, and of himself, then I would say no." Sabrina answered. Lance closed his eyes and nod. "Why do you ask?"

"I think it's time to speak with him, myself."