Ash POV

"Wow." Lillie said. "These were 2 of their closer friends from the traitors, right? Then that means things may get heated fast."

I nodded. "I doubt that they will lose the battle, but I hope that they don't lose their cool. Things could get ugly if that happens."

Lillie looked at me. "What about your battle? You think you'll be fine?"

"I should. I met Trevor back in Kalos. He has a Mega Charizard, but I think I can take him with little trouble."

We turned toward the hallway in an instant. We heard voices coming up fast. Familiar ones at that.

"Max, stop going so fast!" May yelled.

I grabbed Lillie and we moved around a nearby corner before the traitors got to us. I guess it's time to eavesdrop...

Traitors POV

The traitors walked up to the matchups board and began to scan for their opponents.

"I'm facing Jake. Probably a newbie." Paul said.

"I face some Joel guy." Max stated.

"I face Tyson. I think he is pretty good." May mentioned.

"I'm up against Tierno." Serena said.

"Nice. You and I are facing each other Drew." Barry exclaimed.

Iris and Dawn were shocked at their matchups. The rest of the traitors saw their matches as well and grew shocked.

"This is going to be interesting." Paul claimed.

"Yeah. You guys can destroy them easily. They aren't that strong. Ash may be champion, but that doesn't make his elites strong either." Max said.

Barry scowled. "Then what about that Lillie chick?"

"She's Ash's girlfriend. Of course they would be a bit stronger. Plus, you were way too cocky." Drew stated.

Paul shook his head. "That doesn't make Ash or his girl any less breakable. They aren't anywhere near that tough. I could beat him in a heartbeat."

"Let's just go prep guys. I want to be ready to destroy Cilan." Iris said. They all began to walk out of the Pokemon Center.

Ash POV

Lillie and I walked out of the shadows as they left. We exchanged glances.

"They really think they have this in the bag, don't they?" Lillie asked.

I smiled. "They only underestimate us because they believe everything I did before was a mistake. It's kind of ironic how they think they can beat elite 4 members without trying very hard."

She laughed. "Let's get everyone else and tell them the matchups so we can be ready tomorrow."

"Well, we don't really have to go very far. Here they come." I pointed at our friends walking out of the corridor.

Brock spoke first. "Hey you two. Did you already see our matchups?"

We both nodded and told them their matchups. As we mentioned this, Brock and Cilan both grimaced.

"Honestly, we should've seen this coming." Bonnie proclaimed.

"Just don't get overwhelmed by anger or hatred. You both can landslide these two with ease." I said.

"Let's just go prepare for our battles. We have a few extra hours now since it isn't late in the afternoon." Cilan stated.

We walked out to get ready, and walked towards the forest to train. My battle shouldn't be very hard, but I want to help Cilan and Brock get ready.

I volunteered to face Cilan while Bonnie took Brock. Lillie decided to just watch for a bit. I wanted to make sure that Cilan was sure of how to handle certain dragons, so Latias and Garchomp are helping me out.

Latias got into battle position, as Cilan sent out Semisage. "Are you ready Cilan?" I asked.

"Yeah. Let's go." He said.

"Alright Latias, use-"

"HOLD ON A MINUTE!" A familiar voice yelled.

We turned towards the sound, expecting the traitors to interrupt us AGAIN. Surprisingly, we were greeted with a more friendly face.

"Trip. How have you been?" Cilan said.

The Unova man smiled. "It's been a while. I'm doing pretty good." He looks at me. "You look familiar Red. I was wondering if I had met you before?"

I looked at Cilan. "Should we tell him?"

"I don't see why not. As long as he isn't with those traitors."

Trip looked lost. "Traitors? What do you mean?"

I looked back at him. "Trip, my name isn't Red. Take a really good look at me, and you should see what I mean."

He squinted his eyes towards me for a few moments. After a bit, his face softened in realization.

"No way. Ash? But how? Iris told me you were dead a couple years ago." He stated.

I frowned. "Iris just didn't want to look like the bad guy. Her and several of my old friends betrayed me, and tried to make me quit battling by force."

Trip looked beyond angry. "All this time, I believed you died. I had thoughts that I wouldn't have as many intense battles anymore with you gone. I never really had as good of a rival as you."

"Yeah. We know what you are getting at. Cilan faces Iris tomorrow and I am helping him prepare for the fight." I stated.

Trip smirked. "That is a battle I want to see. Do you mind if I help you guys out some?"

Cilan smiled. "Sure. I would appreciate it."

And for the rest of the afternoon, we faced off in preparation for the most emotionally driven battle he may ever have...

Time Skip: tomorrow at the ice arena...

Cilan had stepped onto the battlefield. The rest of us were sitting there watching him in hopes that he would stay calm.

Latinas looked at me with unsure eyes. "Do you think he is ready for her dragons?"

I looked at her. "I know you're worried about him, but he is strong. He can do this."

"But Ash, we didn't even go all out, and he still struggled. How will he be able to handle Iris?" Latias stated.

"Latias, you are a legendary. Of course he would struggle against you. From what Trip said, Iris doesn't have a legendary right now. The closest one she has to that is her own Garchomp. He will be fine." I placed a hand on her shoulder.

She sighed. "I hope you're right."

Cilan POV

I am not losing to her. I will get revenge on what she has done to everyone. She doesn't know what's coming.

I could see the doors open ahead of me. A familiar purple haired girl began to walk out onto the field to face me.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't old grass head. I'm surprised you showed up, but I guess you are just that stupid." Iris snorted.

I smirked. "Wow, for someone who hates the cold, I am surprised you are really firing off some shots so easily. Are you sure that can help you stay warm in here?"

The ref glared at us. "Could you both save your insults for later? Let's start the battle. Now trainers, send out your Pokemon!"

"Go, Crustle!" I sent out my faithful crab into battle.

"Go, Dragonite!" The orange dragon landed and shot an ear piercing roar throughout the arena.

"Dragonite vs Crustle. Battle begin!" The ref commanded.

"Dragonite, use Dragon Rush."

Still as offensive as ever. "Crustle, use Shell Smash, and dodge it."

Crustle avoided the attack with ease as he lost his shell.

"Now, use Rock Blast!"

Crustle sent a volley of several stones at Dragonite for several super effective hits. As they collided, smoke covered where Dragonite once stood.

Iris smiled. "Nice try Cilan. I found out my Dragonite is special. He has a rare ability called Multiscale. It cuts attacks in half."

I smirked. "Oh, I know what Multiscale does."

As the smoke dissipated, Dragonite was on the floor with swirls in his eyes.

"Dragonite is unable to battle. Crustle wins. Send your next Pokemon."

Iris grabbed her next Pokeball in shock. "But, how?"

I laughed. "Iris, I know how Multiscale works. It can only affect attacks if the Pokemon is at max HP. That, and it only affects 1 hit. Rock Blast hits several times."

Iris looked mad. "Alright, no more games. Garchomp, let's go."

As the land shark appeared, I noticed it had a megastone on it's back fin. I knew what was next. Iris showed off the keystone she had on her wrist.

"Lets do this. Garchomp, Mega Evolve!" The land shark took on a mysterious light. As the light faded, Garchomp had undergone his transformation.

"Nice costume change. But that won't help. Now Crustle, use X-Scissor."

"Garchomp, dodge and use Earthquake."

Crustle came in too fast for Garchomp. He dodged, but Crustle still grazed him in the leg. Garchomp dropped the Earthquake down, taking Crustle down in one shot.

"Crustle is unable to battle. Garchomp wins. Send out your next Pokemon."

"What's wrong Cilan? Can't take Mega Power?" Iris smugly said.

"Keep laughing Iris. You will be freezing in a few seconds anyways. Go, Weavile." I sent out my second Pokemon.

She was stunned. "You have a Weavile?"

"Yes, I do. Now, use Ice Shard."

"Dodge it!"

Before Garchomp could move, it winced at an injury in its leg. It then took the small Ice pieces to the face, knocking it out instantly.

"Garchomp is unable to battle. Weavile wins. Send out your final Pokemon."

Iris was stunned again. "No way! How did that hit?"

I looked at her. "Simple. Your Garchomp was grazed my my Crustle's X-Scissor before you beat it. That injury prevented it from dodging. Surely you noticed that."

She had a distraught look on her face. But it was soon replaced with determination in mere seconds.

"I will not lose to you. Now Haxorus, let's go!" She sent the Axe Jaw Pokemon into battle.

I retrieved Weavile into its Pokeball. "For a bit of fun, I guess I should let you see what power I have on me right now." I said as I revealed a High Tech looking Blue and Yellow ball.

Iris frowned. "What is that?"

"Your worst nightmare. Now Guzzlord, Lets do this!" I tossed out a dark looking Pokemon with multiple rows of teeth in its stomach.

Iris froze. I could see fear from in her eyes. Her confidence slipped away in seconds, which gave me the right moment to do this.

I placed the Draconium Z onto my Z Ring. "It's time to end this with a bang."

Iris snapped out of it. "Oh no you don't. Haxorus, use Giga Impact!"

"Use Protect."

Haxorus ran full force at Guzzlord as a purple aura enveloped into a ball around him. He slammed full force at Guzzlord. Unfortunately, Guzzlord had used Protect right in time and stopped Haxorus.

I then hit the crystal, and immediately did the pose in time. "GUZZLORD, USE DEVASTATING DRAKE!" I yelled as Guzzlord sent the dragon-shaped attack at Haxorus.

"Hadorus, Protect!" Iris called out, but it's was no use.

Haxorus, still stunned from Giga Impacts last effect, was covered in a purple explosion. As the smoke cleared, Haxorus was down and not getting up.

"Haxorus is unable to battle. Guzzlord wins. Cilan has won the match."

The crowd erupted as I began to leave. Before I got out, I felt someone grab me. I turned and saw Iris looking at me.

"Why did you still stand up for him? He was nothing before this happened." She asked.

I pulled away from her grasp. "Simple. He helped me become a great Pokemon Connoisseur, and helped me see more things than I did as a Gym Leader. Because of him, I am who I am today. Even my brothers are happy with who I've become now. Now leave me alone."

As I went to my locker room, I left a shocked and confused Iris behind me...

Sorry for the wait. I have been working for my Grandparents to fix up a few things. Expect normal uploads to return by around Thursday for about a few weeks because school starts up soon. Now Comment Question: Favorite Unova Gym Leader? Mine is Drayden. He just seems more amazing than all the others. Hope you all have a good day.

-Bl0t0rch