Day two of screening

"Today is the day, Giovanni. Your match has been set near the middle of the day so you have time to plan." Ash says as he and group sit in their conference room with Giovanni. In the corner are Greninja and Candy who have Sylveon sitting beside them. "I'm ready." Giovanni says with a clinched fist.

"Is there any confusion on today's matches?" Ash asks. "No, Kazuki." Everyone says. "Then let's be off." Ash says leading the way out of the room.

As they split off into their pairs Dawn is approached by Paul.

"How's it going, Dawn?" He asks. "So far pretty good. I think I'm enjoying the master's league." Dawn says casually as Stanley watches from a distance.

"What would you say to lunch so we could catch up?" Paul asks. "I can't." Dawn says.

"Why?" Paul asks. "As a league official I get very busy. Now more than ever." Dawn says.

"Well when are you free?" Paul asks. "That all depends on how events play out." Dawn says before she and Lana walk off to meet with Stanley and Marcus.

"God, that guy rubs me the wrong way." Stanley says. "Trust me. The more you get to know him the more you want to bash his face in." Dawn says before leaning on Stanley's shoulder.

"So you're my dad?" Ash asks as he stands in front of a man with hair as dark as his and darker brown eyes wearing a black sweater and jeans. "I am. It's been a long time, Ash." The man says. "Here it's just Kazuki. Can't risk anyone putting two and two together just yet." Ash says. "Right. Best to keep up appearances. You can just call me Sato. Care to introduce me to this fine young lady?" The man says. "This is one of my girlfriends Lillie." Ash says. "A pleasure to meet you, Lillie." Sato says. "The pleasure is mine." Lillie says.

"Kazuki, you said one of. How many do you have?" Sato asks. "Three. The other two are named Mallow and Lana.

"Shall we walk and talk?" Ash says. "Good idea." Sato says. Without another word the three walk and talk to catch up on events.

"So let me get this straight. You're not going to get married?" Sato asks. "Not until after this issue is taken care of." Ash corrects.

"Which girl will you marry?" Sato asks. "Lillie. We talked about this two years ago and agreed that I would marry her while still being with the other two." Ash answers. "You're a better man than me, Kazuki." Sato chuckles.

"So why did Delia try to kill you?" Lillie asks quietly. "She found out that I was Giovanni's younger brother and since those two had a history she thought killing me would hurt him immensely. I was able to get away with my life and find my brother. He got me back from the brink of death but I haven't been able to battle or fight like I used to. Since then I've been in hiding." Sato says.

"He's still alive?" Delia angrily asks herself as she sees Sato talking to Ash.

"Who?" Misty asks. "Ash's villainous father." Delia growls.

"What makes him so villainous? He seems like a pretty nice guy." Lyra asks. "He's Giovanni's younger brother." Delia answers.

"That doesn't necessarily make him evil." Gladion says as he passes by.

"How would you know?" Delia asks. "Simple. My mother tried to kill me a couple years back. Had it not been for Kazuki and the help of his special Lycanroc I'd be dead." Gladion says glancing over his shoulder.

"What's a Lycanroc and what makes his so special? Sawyer asks. "Well I suppose it would be common knowledge. Lycanroc is a rock type pokemon native to Alola. They resemble a wolf. The common ones are midday and midnight but Kazuki was lucky enough to get a one of a kind dusk form Lycanroc." Gladion says before meeting up with the other frontier brains.

"We need to convince Kazuki to give us that Lycanroc." Clemont says.

"Good luck with that. The champion has never given up a pokemon he raised unless he raised it for someone else. He owns several daycares throughout the region specializing in getting pokemon to a certain standard. He raised a Cubone for me so it learned the move iron head." A little girl says with an alolan Marowak at her side.

The traitors look at her confused for a moment before one of their matches is called.

This battle is between Delia of palet town and Giovanni of viridian city. Trainers, send out your pokemon." Plumeria says. "Rhyperior, let's go." Giovanni says with a smirk as he meets Delia on the battlefield. "Blastoise, come on out." Delia angrily says. "Battle begin. Giovanni has the first move." Plumeria says.

"Rhyperior, use poison jab followed by thunder fang and thunder punch." Giovanni says. "Blastoise, counter with rapid spin then protect and hydro pump" Delia says. Blastoise proves to be quicker than its opponent and sets a fast pace for its spin. Rhyperior being ready for it uppercuts the shellfish pokemon simultaneously stopping the spin and passing on the poison status condition. Thinking quickly Blastoise comes down hard on the rock/ground type trying to crush it with protect. Rhyperior quickly wears out the barrier with thunder fang before slamming a thunder punch into its opponent's nose sending it flying. "Rhyperior, us thunderbolt to take advantage of the hydro pump then finish up with Rock wrecker." Giovanni says. As the hydro pump and thunder meet the electrical current races through the water and shocks Blastoise terribly. With a powerful rock wrecker the water starter goes flying.

"Blastoise is unable to battle. With this second win Giovanni advances to the main competition." Plumeria says hiding a smug smile.

As Giovanni starts to leave he becomes surrounded by the traitors.

"What is the meaning of this?" He asks. "You're not going anywhere. We're going to turn you in to the police." Misty says. Giovanni just rolls his eyes as he returns his pokemon and walks off in a different direction.

As the traitors try to give chase they see Giovanni talking with Guzma and Nanu.

"Yeah. We got you. It only seems right. You can hang out with ya boy Guzma." Guzma says.

"Don't you worry about those people. You've abided by the law so you have no need to fear." Nanu says. "Thanks. I'd rather not cause a scene." Giovanni says.

"Follow me. I got some people I'd like ya to meet." Guzma says. Without a word Giovanni follows the frontier brain off.

"Officer, why didn't you arrest him?" Delia asks. "He's done nothing wrong. I can't arrest him." Nanu answers.

"He's the leader of a criminal syndicate." Misty and Iris shout. "I'm aware of his past but after talking with the international police I was told he received clemency therefore abolishing his past crimes. As it currently stands he is nothing more than a law abiding citizen." Nanu explains.

Delia looks absolutely furious at that information before she stomps off quickly followed by the traitors though Lyra looks back for a moment with a look that gets Nanu to nod.

"Got it, Nanu. I'll look into it." Ash says as he finishes his phone call.

"What is it, dear?" Lillie asks. "One of the traitors seems to be acting oddly." Ash says.

"Which one?" Lillie asks. "Lyra. I've been studying her behavior since the traitors arrived. She's seemed a little more agitated when alone with Khourey and a little more distracted lately." Ash explains.

"What do you think is wrong?" Lillie asks. "Don't know but we'll find out as time goes on. We won't interject ourselves into the problem. Our best course is to support Acerola's relationship with Sawyer." Ash says.

"I don't follow." Lillie says confused. "By supporting their relationship, we get an ear into the traitors ranks." Ash elaborates. "Good point." Lillie says. "Don't I always make a good point?" Ash asks. "Yes, you do but don't brag. It's unbecoming of you." Lily says. "Yes, dear." Ash lovingly says.

"So, Lillie. Tell me about how the two of you met." Sato says. "There's not much to it. Shortly after the betrayal professor Kukui asked if I could keep Kazuki's group at my house for a bit. I almost immediately fell for him and gave him the room right next to mine. From there we really hit it off. He came to school and attended with the other elites and I. Chloe didn't much like him after he embarrassed her in a battle using only his Pidgeot. Not long after we started dating seriously and here we are now." Lillie says.

"When did Mallow and Lana get involved?" Sato asks. "Around the time he and I completed aura guardian training. They know that when it comes to the relationship I'm the main girl and the priority but it doesn't seem like it at a cursory glance. Really the whole region knows about the relationship but treat it as if nothing is wrong." Lillie answers. "Fascinating." Sato says with a smirk.

"So, Sato. Are you in any relationships?" Ash asks. "Married actually. See after I got well I went in search of an old travelling companion. Her name is Yellow. She's truly extraordinary. She can communicate with Pokémon and heal any injuries they have." Sato answers. 

"Where is she now?" Ash asks. "She's watching from the shadows to make sure Delia can't try anything." Sato says. "I'd love to meet her." Ash says. "So would I once she's not busy, of course." Lillie says. "Give me a moment." Sato says before pulling out a pokeNav and makes a call. Within minutes of the call ending a short woman with yellow blonde hair and brown eyes wearing a yellow poncho, a brown shirt, blue jeans, and light blue boots.

"Is this him?" she asks in a mellow voice. "Yes, dear. For the moment he's going by Kazuki." Sato says. "Right.

"A pleasure to meet you, Kazuki. I'm Yellow Ketchum. Sato's second wife though I was his first girlfriend." Yellow says. "The pleasure is ours. This is my main girlfriend Lillie." Ash says. "Glad we could finally meet. 

"Sato probably already told you my abilities but what he most likely didn't tell you is my abilities come from Viridian Forest. I also work with the Almia ranger corps from time to time when they have too many injured rangers and Pokémon. I'm a certified substitute Pokémon ranger." Yellow says sitting down. "That's amazing. I wanted to be a Pokémon ranger at one point." Ash says.

"When and who inspired you?" Yellow asks. "It was through my travels in Hoenn. We were helping a man named Jack Walker protect a newly hatched Manaphy." Ash says. "That fruitcake? Figures." Yellow giggles.

"Why call him a fruitcake?" Ash asks. "Old Jackie had a habit of acting like a clown to hide his insecurities. I have fond memories of watching him make a fool of himself on a mission. Honestly, he has the highest recruiting rate of any ranger in Almia." Yellow explains. "Funny. When i first met him he was dressed like a clown and was travelling with a band of street performers who were helping guard Manaphy's egg." Ash says. "Hilarious. That sounds just like him. It fits him perfectly." Yellow says laughing riotously.

After a good laugh the four share stories until Manaphy comes out and says he's hungry. When Yellow looks to translate Ash says, "Alright. Let's get you something to eat. Anything you want to eat?" "Hot dogs." Manaphy says happily. "Alright." Ash says before walking over to the concessions stand with the rest of his group close behind.

On the way May sees them and grows especially angry. Without a word to her group she storms over to Ash and cuts him off.

"Where did you get that Manaphy?" She angrily asks. "If you must know he came to me a few years ago and asked to join my team." Ash says as Manaphy acts as if he doesn't know her. "That's a lie. Manaphy hatched for me when I was travelling through Hoenn. That Manaphy belongs to me. Give him back." May demands. "This Manaphy chose me as its trainer. There's more than one Manaphy in the world." Ash says. "That's my Manaphy! Give him back!" May snaps getting everyone's attention.

"Is there a problem?" Nanu asks as he comes over with two other officers. "The champion stole my Manaphy." May claims. "Ma'am, One I need you to calm down. Two: I can vouge for champion Kazuki when I say that he didn't steal this Pokémon. I was with him when Manaphy came to him. He was helping with an investigation." Nanu says. May goes beet red at this.

As Ash goes to the concessions stand Manaphy moves to his shoulder and sticks his tongue out at May briefly breaking her heart before it's replaced by anger. Before she can make a move her match comes up and it's against Max.

"This is a screening match between May of Petalburg city in Hoenn and Elite Max of Ula'Ula Island. Trainers, send out your Pokémon." the team skull grunt refereeing the match says. "Blazekin, take the stage." May says. "Banette, time to battle." Max says. "Battle begin. May has the first move." the ref says.

"Blazekin, use flame charge then brave bird and flare blitz." May says. "Banette, use knock off then phantom force and sucker punch." Max says. Blazekin proves to be exceptionally fast and lands the flame charge but Banette proves to be resilient and retaliates with knock off and escapes with phantom force to avoid the brave bird. Like a ghost Banette strikes from behind then handsprings away. Blazekin is quick to give chase and lands its flare blitz but takes a sucker punch in return. "Banette, use confuse ray then gunk shot and psychic." Max says as the recoil damage hits Blazekin. "Blazekin, use sand attack then focus energy and night slash." May says. Like before Blazekin is quick to the offensive and lands a sand attack but the confuse ray forces it to hit itself in confusion giving Banette the opening to land its gunk shot and psychic.

"Blazekin is unable to battle. Elite Max advances to the main competition." The team skull grunt says. At the same moment Bonnie defeats her brother a few battlefields over.

Stay classy, Nightfuries.