Chapter Text
Prologue
It was the first moment of rest Delia had had all day. The sun had long since set over Pallet Town, and her energy had long since departed her. Between planting the flowers in the garden, travelling to Viridian City for groceries and her daily several-hour-long chat with Gary’s mother, she had little care to do anything more.
Ash had been home for the better part of a year now, yet it was as though he was still out in the world with how quiet the house often was. She never expected her son to return the same boy he was when he first left, seven years ago. Even with his occasional few month stops between adventures, it seemed as though his heart was elsewhere. He reminded her so much of his father.
And yet he kept coming back.
Delia sat back on the sofa, stretching for a moment with a hefty yawn. She grabbed the remote, which sat on the coffee table before her and flicked the channels until something she knew she could doze off to came on, even if only for an hour or so.
“Welcome back folks, to Pokétalk. I’m you’re host, Sunny and I hope wherever you are in the world, from the mountains of Sinnoh to the sands of Alola, you’re having yourselves a very good night.” Delia had watched the show many times, though few details of any of the episodes. If anything, she felt more caught up with its controversies than its conversations.
“For those just now tuning in, we are joined tonight by some wonderful faces. We have here, Professor Arthur Spruce, head of the battle studies faculty at Viridian University, here in Kanto. Also, having flown all the way from the Paldea region, we have Dendra Kihada, another specialist in battling from the prestigious Uva academy. And finally, you might be noticing a theme here folks, we are joined by Aldo, the fighting-type gym leader from Gladinor city in the Rivenir region. Just before the break, we were discussing our thoughts on who the greatest trainer in the world is, isn’t that right Dendra?”
“Si, yes, I was about to bring up the famed Cynthia from Sinnoh. There are few trainers in the world who generate as much fear as she does excitement from challengers.” Sunny nodded along, though Delia couldn’t tell whether he was genuinely listening or if the conversation was scripted.
“Cynthia, yes, I’d always hoped we would’ve seen her go toe to toe with Galar’s Leon. What a match that would’ve been, I honestly couldn’t tell who’d come out on top!” His excitement was so exhausting to the worn-out woman that she very nearly turned the channel. Her thumb lay on the button when one of the guests spoke up.
“Cynthia.” The man’s voice was gruff, a thick accent only adding to his mystique. He wore odd attire, metallic armour almost, though it seemed to only protect his chest, and no further extremities. A helmet donned with a red plume, reminding her of a mohawk, sat in his lap. Delia praised his interruption for silencing Sunny’s unending energy, yet it also intrigued her.
“Well Aldo, you certainly sound sure.” Sunny chimed in; his enthusiasm was notably tempered.
“It’s hard not to if you keep up with the news, Sunny. Leon’s been on a bit of a losing streak. First, the World Coronation Series, followed by his recent loss of his title back in Galar too.” There was silence on the set for a moment before Sunny spoke up.
“Well, even so Aldo, there's no arguing that he is one of the best.”
“Of course,” Aldo replied. “But he is not the best. To be the best, what you need is consistency. They not only have to win, but they have to keep winning.” Delia scolded herself for how invested she’d become in this stupid talk show, but the silence, the sheer shock from the other guests, was constricting. She didn’t even remember when she’d put down the remote.
“Ahem… speaking of the World Coronation Series,” the until then, silent Professor Spruce began. “What about Ash Ketchum? I mean, there hasn’t been a rising star like him in generations. Not since Red, who notably also hailed from the Kanto region.”
“Well, you make a good point Arthur,” Sunny replied, returning to his usual cheer. “We were all shocked when he took the crown at the WCS last year. At sixteen no less!”
“Do we know what has become of him?” Dendra asked. “I had hoped to have him visit my students in Paldea.”
“It seems he has avoided much of the public eye since his victory- “
“He’s anything but the best.” Aldo’s interruption jolted Delia awake, her energy only returning to her in compounded fury. ‘Did I hear that right?’ She questioned internally. It seemed the others on the show thought the same thing.
“I’m guessing it comes back to your comment on consistency, Aldo.” Professor Spruce asked solemnly, his disagreement only possibly being more apparent with words. Aldo nodded stoically.
“Well, come now Aldo, need I remind you that he won the first ever Alola League prior to his victory over Leon?” Delia appreciated Sunny’s attempt to defend her son.
“All I see is a coincidence, next to a streak of six major conference losses.”
“You suggested just now that Leon was growing a pattern of defeat, did you not?” Spruce challenged.
“Yes, amid a pattern of consistent strength. Look to Champions like Cynthia, Steven, Lance, Rivenir’s very own King Marcus, all of whom have held their rank for a decade or more. Even with Alain and Diantha’s back-and-forth title swap, they all have patterns. The only pattern I see in Ash Ketchum is losing.”
“Well, surely, that doesn’t mean he should stop trying.” Dendra tried to but in.
“By all means, he should keep trying. But that boy has a long road to travel before he can stand with the greats of this time.”
Delia’s mind was silent. Her home was silent. The TV was silent. They only made the opening and slamming of the front door that much louder.
Chapter One:
Zavier didn’t know what he was searching for in the opaque, off-white ceiling of his bedroom. The curtains blew gently from the seaside draft that passed in from his ajar windows. He could hear the chirps of Warblin and Pidgey in the distance, yet the silence of his room was deafening, and a weight stuffed his chest, pinning him to the bed. His misty blue eyes focused hard on the ceiling. He spotted the many divots, where the paint had sunk away by mere centimetres. It created a canvas of blank stars, ones that had bled together, forgotten what they were.
If only he could be so lucky.
His room was decorated with all sorts of memorabilia. His Kalos Gym Badges, his acceptance letter into Blueberry Academy, and countless photos with his friends and Pokémon. The room should be colourful, but the closed curtains let in little light, leaving the room a dim grey.
The boy glanced over to his dresser, where a single Pokéball sat stationary atop it. It held his closest and dearest friend. He hoped Victor rested better than he was right now. Zavier winced, for a moment of guilt, glad that his partner wasn’t here to see him. He could hardly look at the Meowstic in the eyes anymore.
He wanted to close his eyes, to sleep. But to shut his eyes would only bring him to see more than he could ever wish to.
Zavier made his way sluggishly down the stairs, hearing the hiss of the kettle and the wet scent of steam. He had hastily thrown on a chequered flannel shirt over his vest and shorts that he had worn to bed the night before. Rivenir was far too warm for dressing gowns. His dark brown hair was messy and unkept, brushing near his shoulders and bouncing on each step he took. As he reached the bottom, he strolled over the stone floor of his home and entered the kitchen area. As though on autopilot, he placed two slices of bread in the toaster, slinging it down and turning to the cupboard and taking the box of Turfield Tea.
“Oh, you’re up, honey.” Zavier jolted, dropping the box and spilling teabags across the floor. He looked up to see his mother, already dressed in her lab coat and seemingly having walked out from the lab to the left of the dining room and kitchen that they were in now.
“Arceus Mamma.” He cursed. The woman, Professor Mia Oleander of the Rivenir Region, glared at him, her dark brown eyes piercing his heart like knives. He sighed, reminded as usual of their differing opinions on using the Legendary’s name in vain. “Sorry.” He said half-heartedly, though his mother smiled at him.
“Don’t worry about it, Bambino.” She moved and gave his messy hair a tussle before pouring the water into a mug and then adding a tea bag that had fallen on the counter. Perhaps it was all his visits to Galar, but her method of brewing tea was just… wrong. “How did you know about our visitor today?” Zavier froze.
“Visitor?” He queried, looking up at her as he began to pick up the spilt teabags.
“So, you didn’t know. What has you up so early then, Bambino? I didn’t expect to see you for another hour or so,” she explained. As she stirred the tea, she looked back towards him. “I know sleep helps you with- “
“Who’s coming to visit, Mamma?” Zavier cut off. She sighs but then smirks at her son.
“That would be telling now, wouldn’t it. I think you will be quite surprised.” Zavier felt his curiosity pique for a moment, though he hardly had the energy to entertain her games. His toast pinged up, and he placed the box of now full tea back on the counter before taking a plate and buttering his toast. He already had a horrid feeling in his gut: today would be an odd day.
Ash’s eyes winced as the sun's glare bounced almost maliciously from the wing of the plane into his eyes. Pikachu, who had been dozing on his lap, felt him stir. The yellow Pokémon looked up at him, smiling, bringing a small one back from his trainer, but he quickly sighed and looked back out to the sky, in which they soared. He could hear other passengers utter his name, his title, his victories, his defeats.
‘The only pattern I see in Ash Ketchum is losing.’
He had dealt with enough autographs back at the Lumiose Airport, and so was thankful no one had approached him on the plane.
This wasn’t the first flight he had been on for his trip to Rivenir. The bulk had been an early flight from Viridian City to Lumiose, his farewells to Gary, Professor Oak and his mother all being brief. Returning to Kalos, even if it had only been for a few hours, was a hit of very mixed nostalgia for the raven-haired trainer. It had been home to one of his greatest adventures, yet home to such great tragedy too. He had left many things behind in Kalos: Greninja, the Kalos League, His friends, Clemont, Bonnie, Serena. Serena. His mind lingered on their final moment before he shook it from his mind. He was seventeen now; that was a long time ago. He hadn’t spoken to any of them since. He was a different person now. He was the strongest trainer in the world. And yet…
‘I’m still not good enough. When will I be good enough for them? For me?’ It took a moment for Ash to shake the replaying scenes of the aftermath of Aldo’s tirade on him. ‘When will I be a Pokémon Master? What am I missing?’ He eventually proved victorious over his doubting mind and returned his gaze to the sky. He tried to deny it, but a piece of him wished to look upon Ho-oh once again. It was said to grant wishes. He could do with a wish, one of direction. Or maybe a little luck. What he’d give for a little luck. What he’d already given for what luck he had.
While there were direct flights available from Viridian City to Rivenir’s capital of Concordia, with Professor Oleander residing on an Island just off the coast of the region, getting a flight straight to Janus Town let Ash see the region more naturally.
Pikachu nudged Ash gently, gaining his attention once again. He once again sighed.
“This has to be it, Pikachu,” he said, looking out as they began to steadily descend after crossing some towering mountains. “This is our last chance. I don’t even know what I’m looking for here but…” He froze before looking to his partner with a look of resolve. “But we have to find it, no matter what.” Pikachu nodded, sharing in his trainer’s sentiment.
Ash heard, much like the rest of the world, of the grand announcement of the Pentarch’s Championship in the Rivenir region, a relatively obscure region, and one Ash had barely heard of before then. But in its haze, it had granted him a new heading. A tournament, hosting the four strongest trainers from five regions, to be granted the chance to challenge Rivenir’s Champion. It was the perfect opportunity for both an adventure and to defend his title of World Champion.
To build consistency.
They set down in the Janus Town Airport. It was a small establishment on the just as small Island of Tugali. Ash spied a glance at what he had learnt was Tugali City on the north end of the Island as they came down on the south. As the wheels touched the tarmac, he felt his heart jump momentarily. He rushed to disembark the plane, feeling the blast of the Rivenirian heat upon his tanned skin. He takes a deep first breath of the region’s air, yet he tasted nothing different within it. Not the way he did with other regions like Kalos. Especially Kalos.
He made his way through customs and was soon let loose into Rivenir. He stood there, at the entrance of the airport, bathing in the sheer heat. People walked in all directions, signs pointing towards Janus Town proper acting as his guide, silent and direct. Pikachu chirped on his shoulder, but the boy had never felt solitude so intensely before.
Ash took out his Rotom Phone, looking at the email sent to him from the Professor of the region, and the directions she had given him to her lab.
‘From the main avenue in town, look for the Pokémon Centre. From there, take the second left and follow the stairs to the upper road. You should see a small house on top of a hill with a path leading up to it. That’s the lab. If you have any trouble, you have my number. My son and I can’t wait to meet you. Safe travels.’ – Prof. Oleander
It took some time for Ash to acclimatise to the homely nature of Janus Town. It must have been obvious that he wasn’t a native, and he found himself being accosted by merchants as a result. The market on the avenue was a rainbow of coloured cloths, and each sold some strange yet intricate product. Some had watches, others phone cases. There were berries and fruits, items and Pokéballs. As he walked down, Ash found he couldn’t see a Pokémart anywhere around, and he assumed rightly that the town’s market accounted for that. He almost missed the red sign of the Pokémon Centre, with it blending in with the tiles that roofed the white buildings.
As per the directions, He turned down the alley on the second left, climbing a set of stairs and the building atop the hill became clear to him. It was something from a painting, quaint and quiet, much like Professor Oak’s lab. Ash steadily ascended the path and found himself opening a small gate and a sign that read ‘Oleander Pokémon Lab’, confirming he was in the right place. He gently tapped on the red door and waited awkwardly. Pikachu nuzzled his trainer excitedly, and Ash gave him a faint smile.
“Brave face buddy,” he uttered before driving a smile upon his face. He heard the clicking of a lock and turned back as the door opened. He was greeted by a tall woman with copper skin and long, dark brown hair, brushed neatly but with the tips curling upwards. She wore denim shorts and what appeared to be a white tee, with a slightly dirtied lab coat over the top and a pendant adorning the symbol of Arceus was slung around her neck. Her soft brown eyes met Ash’s own, and she met him with a welcoming grin.
“Ah, Signor Ketchum, welcome, welcome.” The woman took his hand and shook it, more intensely than Ash could have predicted. He let out an awkward chuckle in response.
“Just Ash is fine, Ma’am, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Professor Oleander.” He steadily removed his hand from the professor’s, his arm aching from all the shaking.
“Oh, please, call me Mia. Come in, come in.” She moved back from the door and gestured for Ash to enter, which he obliged. Pikachu jumped, squeaking to the professor in greeting. “Ciao to you too, Pikachu,” the woman grinned. Ash felt himself relax suddenly, partly because of the air conditioning, but also because of the place he was in. He entered onto some stone flooring and before him was a kitchen and dining room, the wooden table glistening and polished, while the counters were worn and cracked in some places, no doubt due to age. He saw paintings and photos hung across the walls and spied a leather sofa disappearing behind a wall in the corner, as well as a conservatory at the rear, peering out towards the garden. Ash could barely make out the divide between the sea and sky from where he was. He realised what put him so at ease. This place was truly a home, and he felt part of it already.
“Please, have a seat, Ash, make yourself at home. You must be exhausted,” the Professor continued as she shut the door and followed the trainer into the main area of the house. “Do you like Tea? I have Galarian Brew, and the kettle is already boiled.” Ash took a seat at a table out in the conservatory as the professor began to brew herself a tea. The boy spoke up. “Yeah, I’d appreciate one if that’s okay. It was a long flight.” The professor nodded.
“Kanto is a long way away from here. I remember needing a lot of time to recharge when I did fellowships over there with Samuel. But that was a long time ago.” She smiles, clearly reminiscing about older times. “Sugar?” Ash went to respond, but only gave a guilty look that said all it needed to, drawing a chuckle from the professor. “Do not worry, my son is much the same as you. He should be down at some point.” She stirred the sugar into Ash’s tea before bringing it over to him, along with a plate of Kalosian Croissants, which Ash hesitantly helped himself to. He had been starving since they left Lumiose City. He offered some of it to Pikachu, who eagerly devoured a bite or two from the croissant. Professor Oleander took a sip of her tea before continuing.
“He used to be a Pokémon trainer like you, I believe he participated in the Kalos League much like you did.” Ash’s ears perked as he was reminded of the event. His fierce battle against Alain in the finals with Greninja brought mixed emotions upon him.
“Really? What’s his name?” Ash asked.
“Zavier. He made it to the top sixteen, but he was defeated by a trainer named Astrid, I believe.” Astrid rang a bell in Ash’s mind, remembering a fierce battle that saw his Hawlucha defeated at the hands of her Mega Absol. Zavier, however, didn’t come to mind. The professor seemed to pick up on this. “You need not worry, I am sure he would not be that offended if you do not remember him. You never faced him after all.” She again offered him a warm smile and sipped her tea again. “Besides, he is quite a fan of yours.” Ash wasn’t sure what to say, but he was thankfully interrupted, though not by the Professor.
There were gentle thumps on the staircase near the front of the house, which drew Ash’s attention, along with a voice.
“Yes, Mamma? I heard you say my… name.” A dark-haired boy turned from the bottom of the stairs to face the two of them, and Ash saw him freeze, piercing cloudy blueish-white eyes striking his own dark ones. There was an awkward beat. “Y-you didn’t say we were expecting the World Champion in the lab today,” he said, leaving Ash unable to determine whether or not his tone was sarcastic.
“I told you we were expecting someone, did I not?” The professor replied to her son, coyly, a mischievous grin etching its way upon her lips. “Ash, might I introduce my son, Zavier. Zavier, well, you’ve spoken enough about Ash that I’m sure you hardly need an introduction.” The boy went silent, looking away slightly, a faint hint of red forming on his cheeks. Ash recognised the feeling, having also been subjected to the embarrassment of a mother far more than he would’ve liked.
Zavier was tall, seeming roughly Ash’s age. He had wavy hair that sat somewhere between dark brown and black, several tones deeper than that of his mother’s. It drooped past his cheeks but was neatly parted at the front. Another thing he noticed, still staring him down, were his eyes. They were a silvery cerulean, focused and calculating. His skin was a shade lighter than his mother’s too, though clearly had been tanned by the Rivenirian sun. He was dressed in a white and red shirt, with the logo of what Ash thought to be a band, though one he failed to recognise, printed upon its centre. He wore denim shorts much like the professor and had a grey flannel shirt tied around his waist, which bore light green accents.
The silence passed as Zavier hesitantly made his way over to join them.
“I was just telling Ash of how you were at the same Lumiose Conference as he was,” Oleander continued as Zavier took the third seat at the small table, constantly glancing at Ash, who was left unsure what to make of the situation.
“Yes… It was a very close match between Greninja and Charizard. I’m sorry about your loss.” Zavier’s tone was dry, repressed, as though he was holding back in front of Ash. He sometimes hated what his title of World Champion had brought him.
“Heh, don’t worry about it. That was a long time ago, right Pikachu?” Ash looked up to his electric mouse, who cried out “Pika Pika” in response. “Glad to hear you were rooting for me, though,” he said in a friendly, inviting manner. Zavier nodded and then looked to his mother and asked, rather bluntly, “Why is he here?”
“I was just getting to that,” Oleander began. “I really appreciate you reaching out, Ash. It's not every day you receive an email from the World Champion.” Ash scratched the back of his head awkwardly, with a light laugh to break the silence. “You expressed interest in the upcoming Pentarch’s Championship, correct?”
“You're looking to compete in the Pentarch’s Championship?” Zavier asked, turning to Ash, who nodded.
“That’s right! Pikachu and I are always looking for our next challenge, and this time, Rivenir is the place that has it!” Ash exclaims, before retreating again as the realisation of letting his excitement take over hits him like a Tauros.
“Well, you’ve come to the right region, that’s for sure.” The professor chuckles. “The Pentarch’s Championship is a special event that has never been seen before in the region’s history. Our King and Champion, Marcus, said it is to improve relations between the five regions that made up the old Rivenirian Empire and the victor would have the chance to challenge him for his title. Of champion, not King,” The professor laughed slightly at her slight stumble, and Zavier gave an exacerbated sigh. Ash had never been much of a history buff, but the idea of the region’s king being the champion was a curious one, to be sure.
“The King is also the Champion?” Ash asked in confirmation. Oleander nodded.
“That’s right, it's quite an interesting dynamic. I don’t know how he manages all his duties.”
“That’s so awesome! What are the other regions?”
“Long ago, the first Rivenirian Emperor, Romulus, brought Rivenir together with Kalos, Galar, Paldea, and also colonised what would later become Unova and formed the Rivenirian Empire. It reigned for a thousand years, until one day the emperor of the time is said to have become apathetic and stopped maintaining unity in the Empire, and it fell apart.” Ash listened intently with Zavier, who seemed as though he had heard this before, no less interested.
“Wow, so this tournament is meant to bring the regions together again?” Ash asked.
“Not to reform the Empire, no, but to help make them closer friends. This isn’t going to be like the usual Pokémon League in Rivenir or other regions, though.” Ash tilted his head.
“How do you mean?”
“After the empire fell, Rivenir experienced a period of strife for centuries, and it culminated about fifty years ago, when to prevent all-out civil war, the king partitioned the region into two. North Rivenir embrace the future and technology. They leave the past behind and forever seek the next horizon. South Rivenir remembers the past and our history and remains committed to its preservation. They find themselves invested in the myths and legends of old.”
Ash was surprised. He knew Rivenir was a divisive region, but he didn’t know it was so literal. It was as though he would be travelling two regions instead of one. “The region shares three things however,” the professor continued. “Their King, their Pokémon league and their capital city, Concordia. The divide is mostly cultural, and legislation must be made individually for each side, though people are free to move between the two sides. Still, it is common for northerners and southerners not to get along.” Ash paid attention to the words of the professor but found his mind latching onto her mention of a shared Pokémon league.
“If the region is divided into two, how does the gym challenge work here?” He inquired.
“Each half of the region has six gyms. There are two neutral gyms too. The first is here on the Island of Tugali, over in Tugali City. The other is located in Concordia. While in an ordinary year, to partake in Rivenir’s league, you only needed eight badges out of the fourteen available, the representatives for Rivenir in the Pentarch’s Championship must be the strongest around, and so the King has mandated that to enter, you must have every single Gym Badge available. Si, that is all fourteen.”
Ash found himself in love with the idea. For the first time in far too long, he felt a spark in his heart. A chance to see what would be two regions at once was an opportunity he wouldn’t dare even consider rejecting.
“It sounds like nothing I’ve ever imagined. I can’t wait to get started.” The professor smiled at his response.
“Well, I am glad to hear that, truly. I think you will have a journey here unlike any you’ve had before,” she smiles, echoing his words. Oleander stood, finishing her tea, her throat likely sore from all the talking. Zavier had been silent the entire time. “I can provide you with one of Rivenir’s starter Pokémon if you would like? I’d need to have them transferred in from Concordia but…” Ash considered the offer for a moment but shook his head.
“Thanks, Professor, but Pikachu is my partner, we’re gonna take on Rivenir together with Pokémon we find out in the wild.” Ash stood and tucked in his chair, heading towards the door.
“You’re going now?” The professor called out to him.
“Yeah? Might as well get going as soon as possible. You said the first gym was in Tugali city, right?” The professor chuckled.
“How I miss the drive and ambition of my youth. But surely you’d like a chance to rest from your flight?” Ash thought for a second too long. ‘I don’t have time to rest.’ Ash shook his head.
“I appreciate it, but I’ll be alright.” The professor stood, seemingly defeated.
“If you are going to set off straight away, there are two things I’d like you to take with you.” Ash and Pikachu again tilted their heads.
“Oh?”
“Firstly, this.” She pulled a small computer-like device from her pocket and asked him to bring out his Rotom Phone, which, on cue, flew out from Ash’s pocket. It downloaded the Rivenirian Pokédex from the device. “That should help you with identifying the Pokémon you run into in your time here.” Ash smiles
“Thanks so much. What's the second thing?”
“Hm? Oh right. I’d like you to take Zavier.”