1. Ash's Story (Part 0: Prologue)

Chapter 19: The League That Stands

The Sevestar League Hall immediately made Ash feel small.

He entered with Alice, Serena, Lillie, Reisa, and Insey beneath pillars carved with all eighteen type symbols. Serena stared at the ceiling. "It looks like somebody combined a castle with a museum."

Alice folded her arms, though she was looking around too. "And spent a lot of money doing it."

Reisa smiled. "Which usually means adults are about to give speeches."

Ash groaned. "I hope there aren't too many."

Aurora heard him from the steps ahead and glanced back with a warning smile. "Some important meetings come with speeches, Ash."

Adam walked beside her in his black-and-gold Champion cloak. To anyone else, he looked exactly like Sevestar's leader. Ash knew what lay beneath that appearance: Arceus, and Aura far beyond anything an ordinary Trainer could possess. Here, however, Adam was acting as Champion.

He looked back at the children. "This isn't a normal League tour."

Lillie clasped her hands together. "Is this about Team Terror?"

"Partly," Adam said. "You've seen enough to know the League does more than hand out badges. Before our next operation, I want you to know who protects Sevestar, and what they do outside League battles."

Ash looked down the long hallway. Portraits and holographic panels lined the walls beyond the doors.

"So we really are getting a lesson," Ash said.

Aurora touched his shoulder as she passed. "Yes, but you may find this one useful."

The main chamber held four raised seats below the Champion's platform, but there was no battlefield in the center. Instead, a circular map of Sevestar covered the floor, marked with cities, mountains, towers, and facilities Ash recognized.

The Elite Four stood around it. Vincent was beside Sakura, who kept checking on Drandon and Lucine near Lance. Isabelle leaned against a pillar with her cello case beside her. Colress adjusted a device near the map and looked more interested in its readings than in the ceremony.

Adam stepped onto the Champion platform. "Ash, Alice, Serena, Lillie, Reisa, Insey—this is the Sevestar League as it stands now."

Ash glanced at the four seats. "Vincent is first, right?"

Vincent smiled faintly. "At the pinnacle, unless you ask my daughter after one of our training sessions."

"Eri would put herself first," Sakura said.

"She is very confident for someone who still needs help tying her shoes," Vincent replied, making Serena laugh.

Adam gestured toward him. "Vincent came here from Alola. He uses Fighting and Ground-type Pokémon, and his training draws from martial arts and lucha libre. Kukui is his brother, and Burnet became family after their wedding."

Vincent's expression softened. "Kukui would probably object to being included in my official League introduction."

Lillie smiled. "Professor Kukui would make his own introduction anyway."

"Almost certainly he would," Vincent said.

Adam turned to Sakura. "Sakura comes from Unova's Dragon Village. She teaches at Opelucid Trainer's School and specializes in Dragon and Flying-type Pokémon. These days, she and Lance are also caring for Drandon and Lucine."

Drandon shifted behind Lance when everyone looked over. Lucine stayed close to Sakura, taking her hand when Sakura reached back.

Sakura gave them a small smile. "They've had enough people deciding things for them. We're giving them time."