Fire and Ice

Stigma

A long time ago in Kalos, an Absol had reigned terror over the region. He had caused the deaths of numerous trainers, ranging from the most experienced to the newest beginners. His reign of terror had lasted over ten years, ending only when he was struck down in battle by a Moonblast from Xerneas itself. Unfortunately, even though Absol had gone, the impact of the horrors he had caused never quite faded away. For this reason, it was well known that the Kalos league officials, while not allowed to directly ban any dark-type Pokemon from Elite Four battles, could take steps to prevent trainers with even part dark-type Pokemon from entering without switching out the offending Pokemon. Fortunately for these Pokemon, they were still allowed to compete in regular league tournaments since those were sanctioned by the Pokemon league rather than their home region's officials. 

Greninja didn't fully realize the impact this would have on him until two weeks before Ash was set to take on the Elite Four. He had just finished a training session with Alain's Charizard, who was helping Ash's Pokemon prepare for their upcoming battles. The water and dark-type was a little tired, but felt stronger than ever and was confident that he would be able to put up a decent fight. 

"You've gotten a lot stronger," Charizard commented. "You should do well against the Elite Four." 

"Thanks," Greninja replied, sitting down and leaning back against a tree. "I know Ash said he's going to switch out some of the team for his old Pokemon. But I think I'll be good to go." 

Charizard hesitated slightly, then gave a hesitant smile. "Yes, you should be a prime candidate for one of his six team members." 

Greninja frowned slightly. "Why do you keep saying should?" he asked. "Will I not be a prime candidate?" 

"Greninja," Charizard sighed, in a voice that sent warning bells dinging and blaring in the frog Pokemon's head. "You have to understand, things are different with the Elite Four than with normal league battles. Elite Four battles are run by the home region officials, not the Pokemon league. And the Kalos region is-well, dark-type Pokemon have a bad reputation around here, and it's likely they'll try to stop you from competing. I know Malva has her Houndoom, but he doesn't take part in Elite Four battles. Because of all that, it may be difficult for Ash to be able to use you as one of his team members." 

Feeling deflated, Greninja slumped back slightly. Charizard waited for his rival to speak. When it became clear that he wasn't going to say anything, he continued, "However, I don't think this will be the case forever. And who knows, maybe you'll be the first lucky one. But don't be too surprised if they make Ash switch you for someone else." 

While Charizard was talking, Greninja felt his resolve growing stronger and stronger. Standing up, he ranted, "I've worked harder than anyone. Ash relies on me to power the team for good reason. Everything I've done, every moment of every day has been spent making sure my strength is at the maximum level possible. And now you're telling me-this whole region is telling me-that I'm not deserving of a spot on the team because I happen to be a dark-type?" 

Dimly, he realized that he was practically shouting. Flushing slightly, he lowered his voice and added, "I'm sorry about that. It's just that-well-" 

Charizard cut off Greninja's feeble half-apologies. "I know, Greninja, but surely you knew this before?" 

The careful question was enough to send Greninja over another edge. He stood up and ran off into the forest, ignoring the fire-type calling for him to come back. Ash was away at the moment, so running to him was out of the question. He did the next best thing and fled deep into the forest, stopping only when he came to a small stream. More than a little out of breath, Greninja sat down on a rock, torn between wanting to throw something in frustration or burst into tears. Fortunately for his dignity, he managed to restrain himself from doing either. 

He didn't know how long he'd been sitting there when he heard the sound of crackling leaves that indicated that something was walking towards him. Someone sat down next to him, and Greninja turned his head to see Hawlucha beside him, a concerned and sympathetic look in his eyes. 

"Oh, hey," he said weakly, not wanting to be rude but not really in the mood to talk to his longtime rival and friend. "What are you doing here?" 

"Charizard said you were upset about something," Hawlucha replied. 

"He told you?" Greninja questioned. Hawlucha shook his head. 

"No, he just suggested that I go talk to you," the fighting-type answered, looking a bit hurt. "I can leave if you don't want me around, though." 

"No, no. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," Greninja said quickly. In truth, he would prefer to be left alone, but at the same time he wanted someone to vent to. "Come and join the pity party, then." 

Hawlucha's mouth twitched slightly. "Might I ask what's wrong?" he inquired hesitantly. 

"Yeah," Greninja said with a sigh. "It-it's about the Elite Four. Turns out I might not be able to help take them on." 

"Oh, don't give me that," Hawlucha huffed at him. "You're one of the best Pokemon on the team, if not the best-and don't you dare tell anyone I said that. But seriously, you can do anything." 

"No, I'm not," Greninja said, shaking his head. "I'm just an evil, dark-type demon." 

"Don't," Hawlucha said sharply, "ever talk about yourself like that." 

"But it's true," Greninja pointed out, looking away to hide the tears threatening to form in his eyes. "Everyone around here hates dark-types, so they're probably not going to let me fight the Elite Four. Somehow they're allowed to do that, I don't know why." 

"Well, if they do that, they're stupid," Hawlucha huffed. "Anyone would be damn lucky to be able to say they battled against you." 

"It doesn't matter how stupid they are. I still won't be able to battle," Greninja countered. 

He fell silent after that. When he didn't speak again for several minutes, Hawlucha said tentatively, "If it makes you feel any better, the fact that you're a dark-type has never mattered to me. It doesn't change anything about you." 

Luckily for Hawlucha, this was the right thing to say. Greninja gave him a small smile and murmured, "Of course you don't care. Of course." 

The fighting and flying-type wrapped a wing around his shoulder. "You're extraordinary. You're amazing," he said softly. 

They remained silent for some time, Greninja leaning into his teammate's comforting embrace. Abruptly, however, Hawlucha jumped to his feet, startling the frog-ninja Pokemon. 

"Bullshit!" the Aztec bird cried. "We're not letting them stop you from battling the Elite Four. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; you're not going to miss out on a battle that you've earned the right to participate in more so than anyone on the team." 

Greninja laughed. "You have a plan, do you?" he asked. "Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get back to camp so we can plan the downfall of the Kalos league officials." 

Hawlucha chuckled, glad to see that his brother was back to being himself again. Together, the two Pokemon walked back to camp, bumping into Charizard on the way. 

"Hello, Greninja," the massive fire-type greeted him. "I see you've gotten over the shock?" 

Greninja nodded. "Yep," he replied. "And I don't care what they say. I'm on my way to battling the Elite Four." 

Charizard smiled slightly, and Greninja could have sworn he heard him say, "Good for you." 

And as Hawlucha shouted for Pikachu to "get his lazy yellow ass moving", the frog Pokemon felt a small seed of hope growing in his chest.