Ash Ketchum, Pokemon Master By ZaneT69

Chapter 14

Upon arriving at Ever Grande City, Ash wasted no time in registering and familiarizing himself with the city with May and Max... and avoiding any drama. Apart from all the Murkrow that Ash had defeated with Pikachu and Charizard.

Winning his battles in the preliminary round and qualifying rounds was quite easy, but Ash was pleased to already be in the Top 32.

The finals would begin tomorrow, but Ash was relaxing and talking with his friends. They were joined by a short and fat man that Ash recognized as Scott, the founder of the Battle Frontier.

"Scott, the founder and owner of the Battle Frontier," Ash said by way of introduction. "If you're here to try persuading me to waste my time on your business, then I reserve the right to laugh in your face; publicly humiliating you."

"The Battle Frontier has seven trainers that are Elite Four level, why would you not want to challenge them?" Scott asked, needing Ash convinced to get involved. A trainer of Ash's standing getting involved would greatly improve the Battle Frontiers reputation and draw in more trainers...

Ash laughed at Scott's over-exaggeration. "Brandon competed in multiple leagues, over a dozen, and he never placed higher than Top 16. He was a nobody until he caught a Regirock, a Registeel, and a Regice, and that was when he suddenly became 'Elite Four level' as you said. He's literally nothing but a greatly over-hyped trainer and tourist attraction with his three Regis. Any of his successes can be attributed to them and not his actual skill."

"Your Factory Head, Dome Ace, Palace Maven, and Arena Tycoon are decent, but certainly not Elite Four level. Now... I know you're questioning my ability to make this assessment, but I've beaten Steven Stone and I have battled truly elite trainers on Mount Silver, so I feel that I can assess their skills. Plus, I'm a two time Champion. Your Battle Frontier is nothing more than tourist attraction with over-hyped trainers, and nothing more than an attempt to earn yourself some more money. Now, I'm normally not rude, but you tried lying to me and my friends so please go deceive someone else into wasting their time."

"Very well," Scott said coldly, before leaving their table.

"That was interesting..." Tyson said, but he was interested in the Battle Frontier.

"I suppose. I'm going to train for a year on Mount Silver after this instead. I was on the verge of unlocking something truly extraordinary while training there and I want to start again."

"An entire year?" Max asked in awe.

"Yeah. I'll only come down for healing, supplies, family, and maybe some Pokedex work." Ash replied.

"We aren't going to continue traveling together?" May asked sadly.

"Sorry, no. I was close to overcoming a limit that I've been aware of for years and I need to get past that... I've enjoyed traveling with both you and Max, but you'll both be fine without me in the next region though. I've made sure that you both had the skills necessary to do so. Plus Max will be old enough to be a trainer in just over a year, and traveling with you through another region will be great preparation and with just the two of you it will help you both a lot." Ash said, explaining why to spare some hurt feelings.

"Do you really need an entire year to do that?" Max asked.

"To unlock it, no. But to truly master it I might need even longer than that... this power is world changing and major." Ash replied. "I promise you that when I'm forced to use it you'll both understand."