Risen from Betrayal

Chapter 66 - True Identity

"No way," said Paul speechless.

"Am I dreaming?" asked Mairin.

"Pinch yourself to see," said Tyson, but Mairin knew there wasn't any need to do so.

"Ash is alive!?" exclaimed Dawn & Serena, with tears of joy flooding their faces.

"That's right. I'm Ash Ketchum, the individual that has been reported dead by the global news about 2 years ago. The truth is, I faked my death and got some people to make this death appear on the global news, despite it being false. This reason I did this was because when I came home after coming back from participating in the Kalos League and becoming 2nd, I was betrayed by some of my former friends and rivals, who told me to give up on achieving my dream of becoming the Pokemon Master since I did not win any mainstream leagues. As for who the traitors are, I won't be specifying, but now I am currently the Champion of Alola, and if you don't believe me, you can ask the Elite Four of Alola, the Island Kahunas, Trial Captains or Scott and Charles Goodshow themselves to confirm this," said Ash, giving the entire audience some time to absorb what he said.

After a while, he continued. "Now if you excuse me, I'll be leaving this battle arena, because there are other matches to be held here after this one we just finished," said Ash before he left the battlefield and went to where the other Champions, Elite Four Members, Wallace, Frontier Brains, Island Kahunas and Trial Captains were gathered.

"Ash, is that really you?" asked Lance.

"Indeed it is me," replied Ash. "You can ask the Alolan Elite Four, Island Kahunas and Trial Captains to confirm," he added and the people he mentioned nodded in confirmation.

"To think that you became the Champion of Alola... You really have grown so much," said Steven.

"Haha thanks Steven," said Ash.

"So you mentioned that you were betrayed by some of your former friends and rivals. Could you tell us what happened?" asked Alder.

"So it started out when I returned home after coming 2nd in the Kalos League and the majority of my previous travelling companions and rivals were already waiting for me. Some told me to give up my dream of becoming the Pokemon Master while the others stood up for me. So I went to Professor Oak's Lab and told him and Gary what happened. They stood by my side and gave me a Nanodex, which contains many functions such as PokeDex information, camera, coin flips, phone calls and storing unlimited Pokemon. Afterwards, I flew to Mount Silver to train with all my Pokemon for 2 years while Professor Oak, Gary and my mother got Scott and Charles Goodshow to inform the Global News about me being dead, even though I'm actually alive, because I did not want any attention from the outside world during that time. 2 years after I got betrayed, Scott and Charles Goodshow invited me to compete in this tournament so I moved to Alola,  completing all Trials and Grand Trials as well as defeating the Elite Four, which eventually led me to becoming the Champion of Alola," explained Ash.

"So how did you meet Professor Kukui and his five students?" asked Cynthia.

"Not long after I arrived at Alola, I came across a commotion, where 3 Team Skull grunts were harassing 3 students to hand over their Pokemon, so I challenged them to a battle and easily defeated them, thus causing me to become friends with Professor Kukui and the five students. Thanks to them, I was able to complete the Island Trials and Grand Trials," answered Ash.

"Who's Team Skull?" asked Agatha.

"An evil organisation based in Alola. It is equivalent to Team Rocket in Kanto & Johto," replied Hala.

"If I remember correctly, a candidate named Guzma is taking part of the tournament. Is he the leader of Team Skull by any chance?" asked Aaron.

"Yes, that's him," replied Ash.

"How come he's competing in the tournament if he's part of a criminal organization?" asked Caitlin.

"Allow me to explain that," said Hala. "Guzma and Professor Kukui were both my apprentices many years ago, but Guzma would always defy my teachings. Eventually, he had enough and ran off, swearing that he would get stronger in his own way without using Z-Moves, soon forming Team Skull."

"It was my idea for letting him join the tournament, because seeing that he was an apprentice of Hala, I thought that letting him join would give him a chance to redeem himself," said Ash.

"But what if he doesn't change and continue working as the leader of Team Skull?" asked Diantha.

"Then we'll just arrest him and disband Team Skull," said Ash. "That's why multiple Officer Jenny is here to help you guys supervise the tournament."

"I see. Well congrats for becoming the Champion of Alola," said Wallace and the others clapped in applause.

"Thanks again," said Ash as he bowed in return.

A few hours later:

After all 4 of the morning matches were over, Ash, Pikachu and Lucario began to make his way to his cabin when he was approached by a group of people he had last wanted to see.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is. The so called Champion of Alola," mocked May.

"A kid like you becoming the Champion? What a joke," sneered Iris.

"We demand a rematch to see if you are actually the Champion of Alola," ordered Kenny.

"And what if I say no?" challenged Ash.

"You don't have an option," said Drew.

"No point, the victor is obvious," said Ash.

"What, are you scared?" mocked Guzma.

"Not at all. I'm just unimpressed at you guys for being so stupid," said Ash dismissively.

"Stupid? Coming from the one who is unaware of the fact that we outnumber you," said Calem.

"Not for long," said an approaching figure, which turned out to be Hala who was accompanied by Professor Kukui, Hau, Gladion, Mallow, Lillie, Kiawe and Sophocles.

"Surprised that you haven't learnt your lesson yet. Now get lost before we send out our Pokemon and destroy you lot," warned Gladion.

"How pathetic. A Champion who needs a group of bodyguards to protect him," mocked Misty.

"Even if you outnumber me, you'd still get destroyed like last time. So clear off or you will get disqualified from the tournament for harassment," warned Ash. "Not to mention that you were responsible for 2 other cases of harassment, the first against Dawn & Serena and the second against my loyal friends," he added.

"Tch. Alright, you win," said Trip.

"For now, that is," added Calem as the traitors and Team Skull were out of sight.