Chapter 55 - 14 - Champion Secrets

Meanwhile, hours before Rico's Riolu evolved, at the Orange League, Pummelo Island, Orange Archipelago, a gym leader from Striaton City, Unova named Cilan and his two brothers, Chili and Cress, are looking for Ash's secrets behind his championship. There a janitor led to the Hall of Fame, and showed them the hardened clay block with Pokémon handprints and footprints pressed into it and the recent champion, Ash Ketchum.

"And here's our recent champion," he introduced them, "Ash Ketchum." Upon seeing the said clay block and the information about it, the three brothers are shocked and stunned by this revelation.

"What? Ash?" Cilan commented in shock, "He's the champion of this region?"

"Yes, and I heard that he's also a champion of another region named Alola," the janitor gave them some information. Because of this, the three brothers rushed out of the stadium, and towards the port. In less than 3 hours, they boarded a plane to Alola, which took nearly 4-5 hours.

Shortly arriving in the airport in Alola, the three of them went to see the professor of the region, Professor Kukui. The professor then lead them to the Alola League stadium and into the Hall of Fame, directing them to its recent champion, Ash Ketchum.

"And here's our recent champion, Ash Ketchum," he introduced them in positivity. Upon seeing the photo of Ash holding a trophy, the three are shocked even more.

"He had beaten the previous champion," Kukui continued brightly, "which is me;" he then directed to himself. Shocked by this, Cilan and his brothers speeded out of the stadium and straight to the airport (They don't have to go to a hotel, as if they arrived just to see who's the current champion). Confused by this, Kukui shrugged it off and went back to his house. In less than an hour, the three brothers set off to Kanto by plane.

Meanwhile back at Pallet Town, after some time of healing up, Rico, Ash, and Iris are sitting on the green grass with their Pokémon. Upon seeing a new Pokémon, Rico pointed his Pokédex towards Axew; his Pokédex then responded, "Axew, the Tusk Pokémon. A Dragon-type. They use their tusks to crush the berries they eat. Repeated regrowth makes their tusks strong and sharp."

"Wow, that's cute and awesome," Rico commented in amazement upon hearing this. He then put down his Pokédex and looked at Iris and Axew, commenting, "Wow, your Pokémon is so cute."

"Thanks," Iris happily replied. Her Axew then responded in happiness. Her another Pokémon, Excadrill, then came out of its Poké Ball, responding in taking a break from its Poké Ball.

"Huh?" Rico responded in mild stunning, "Who's that Pokémon?"

"Oh, this is Excadrill," Iris introduced her Pokémon to him. Her Excadrill then responded in serious greeting. Rico then pointed his Pokédex towards Excadrill; his Pokédex then responded, "Excadrill, the Subterrene Pokémon, and the final evolved form of Drilbur. A Ground and Steel-type. Forming a drill with its steel claws and head, it can bore through a steel plate, no matter how thick it is."

"Woah, that's cool," Rico commented in amazement. Once again, he put down his Pokédex, and said to Iris, "That was a cool Pokémon you have, Iris."

"Thanks," Iris happily replied. Her Excadrill then responded in mild happiness.

Moments later, they heard something or someone was speeding towards them. It was Cilan and his brothers, who had arrived at Kanto's airport and are now rushing to Pallet Town to demand Ash a battle. Their speed was fast as a Japanese high speed train. Upon seeing them rushing towards them, Ash stood up and backed away around 4 meters from his friends.

"Uh, what are you doing?" Rico asked Ash in confusion upon seeing him backing away. And then, as Ash had expected to happen, Cilan and his brothers bursted into the scene, stepping on Rico and Iris, injuring them to the ground. Cilan and his brothers then stopped running and faced Ash in demanding, with a distance of 2.5 meters.

"I knew that'll happen," Ash commented in proving while crossing his arms.

"Why? Ow," Rico responded in dramatic and in pain.

"I knew...it," Iris added while in pain. Her Axew then responded with pain.

"Ash, are you the champion of Alola?" Cilan asked Ash in shock and demanding. Rico and Iris then get up, reflex their backs and bodies, and dust themselves off.

"I think you had discovered my secrets, do you?" Ash retorted in style.

"What?" Rico responded in shock and stunning, "Champion?"

"Yup," Ash happily replied, "I'm the champion of Alola." Then to Cilan and his brothers in style, "So, Cilan, what brings you here?"

"Ash, we want a battle with you," Cilan seriously demanded Ash a battle. He and his brothers are also connoisseurs of taste, not just strong gym leaders.

"Yeah, a battle!" Chili added seriously while clenching his fist in determination. Ash then chuckled a bit, and then retorted, "Do you think you can beat me? I'm the champion here."

"We'll never give up nor run away from a battle!" Cilan seriously responded while clenching his fist in determination.