Indigo League: Opening Ceremony

After the whole situation with Mewtwo, even though Brock, Misty, and Flint didn't remember it, the gang had finally arrived to the Indigo Plateau.

"So Ashlyn, how far do you think you'll get in the Indigo League?" Misty asked.

"Well I would like to win it," Ashlyn replied, "But I do know that trying to win the league isn't going to be easy. So I just hope I can at least make it through the Preliminary rounds."

"I think you'll do great, Ashlyn." Volkner smiled.

Just then they approached a large fanfare and people with flags.

Flint blinked, "Erm...what was that?"

"They must be waiting for the torch bearer." Misty replied.

"Torchbearer?" Ashlyn asked and then remembered, "Oh wait that's someone who runs to the Indigo League stadium, with a flaming torch, and lights up a huge flame that burns during the entire Pokémon League Competition, correct?"

"That's right and the flame is supposed to be a form of inspiration for the competitors. They also say that the flame is supposed to be of a Moltres." Brock explained.

"Moltres?" Misty asked.

"The Legendary Bird of Fire; Moltres," Flint stated, "From what I know, Moltres is also known as one of the Legendary Birds of Kanto."

Ashlyn looked at Moltres on her phone:

[Moltres, the flame Pokémon. When Moltres is injured, it is said to dip its body in the molten magma of a volcano to burn and heal itself.]

"What an amazing Pokémon." Ashlyn commented.

"I'll say. I wish I could see Moltres for myself one day." Flint stated.

"I wish that I could be the torch bearer." Ashlyn said.

"It would be kind of fun." Volkner admitted.

"Yeah." Brock agreed.

"Hey, I think I see the runner now." Misty pointed to the front.

Sure enough, someone was indeed running with the torch in hand. He was being escorted by an Officer Jenny, and before Brock could get any funny ideas, Misty had yanked him by the ear real quick. The Torch Bearer waved to the crowd as he ran past them with a goodhearted smile on his face. The crowd waved back at him, Ashlyn and the gang included in that wave.

"Once the Torch Bearer lights up the flame the league will begin." Ashlyn won't deny that she was feeling excited right now.

"You're really fired up about this aren't you, Ashlyn?" Volkner teased.

Ashlyn smiled and nodded, "I am."

CRASH!

The gang's eyes automatically looked over at where they heard the noise from. Obviously worried, they ran to the scene and saw that not only was the Torch Bearer injured, but both Officer Jenny and another vehicle were stuck in what appears to be a pitfall trap.

Ashlyn's eyebrow twitched, "Don't tell me..."

"Ahahaha!"

"Yep." Misty rubbed her temples.

Team Rocket showed their annoying faces yet again, and once again being a bunch of annoying trio of idiots.

"Found you twerps!" Jessie pointed at the gang.

"Thought that we wouldn't show up, huh?" Meowth taunted.

"Now hand over both the Torch and your Pokémon." James smirked.

Volkner, Flint, Misty, and Brock prepared to send their own Pokémon out, "We're not gonna let you guys ruin this competition!"

Ashlyn placed her arm out, stopping them, "I've got this." She took out two of her Pokéballs, "Lucario, Boltund, come on out!" She tossed the two Pokéballs in the air and the two Pokémon came out.

"Not those two again!" Meowth exclaimed, shocked to see Lucario and Boltund again.

"Boltund, Thunder Shock! Lucario, Aura Sphere!" Ashlyn ordered.

The two launched their attacks at Team Rocket which sent them blasting off.

"What rude Pokémon they are!" Jessie growled.

"I think they're only rude to us." James commented.

"Yeah." Meowth sighed.

"TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket screamed as they disappeared into the sky.

Ashlyn rubbed Boltund and Lucario's heads with affection, "Great job, you two."

"Rai raichu (You two were amazing)!" Tesla complimented.

The two Pokémon smiled at Tesla and their trainer.

"That was quite impressive young lady." A short old man came out of the car with a smile present on his face.

"Excuse us sir, but who are you?" Brock inquired.

The elderly man chuckled, "My apologies for startling you so suddenly, but I wanted to comment on how impressive I find this young lady's Pokémon."

Officer Jenny was the one to introduce him, "This is Charles Goodshow, he's the president of the Pokémon Torch Committee."

"Its a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Goodshow, my name is Ashlyn Ketchum and I'm competing in the Indigo League." Ashlyn introduced herself.

"I'm Volkner." Volkner introduced himself next.

"I'm Flint."

"I'm Misty."

"My names Brock."

Mr. Goodshow smiled at them all, "Nice to meet all of you. While I'm glad to see that Team Rocket didn't get the Torch, the Torch Bearer is still injured, which is why I wish to ask Ashlyn for a favor."

"A favor, sir?" Ashlyn asked.

"Yes, how would you like to become the Torch Bearer, my dear?"

Ashlyn's eyes widened, "M-Me?! Um, well..."

"I can see a strong spirit in you my dear. I believe that you can bear the torch." Mr. Goodshow stated.

"Well I'll do it if my friends can join as well." Ashlyn requested.

"That would be great." Mr. Goodshow agreed.

And so, Ashlyn went first with Tesla, Lucario, and Boltund. Second was Volkner with his Jolteon. Third was Flint with his Flareon. Fourth was Misty with Togepi on her shoulder. And fifth was Brock with Vulpix.

Then Brock soon reached the stadium. He handed the torch to Mr. Goodshow. He invited the gang to the opening ceremony which was tomorrow. The gang nodded and thanked him.

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That evening, Ashlyn and the gang were at the Pokémon Center. Ashlyn had her Pokémon checked up and registered herself for the Pokémon league. A lot of Pokémon trainers were there too, even Gary with his cheerleaders. Poor Nurse Joy was kept very busy.

That night while everyone was still asleep, Ashlyn was still awake in her bed. She was thinking about everything that she had done on her journey; catching Pokémon, collecting all of the eight Kanto badges, meeting new people, and all of the places she has been to. And now she was facing the Indigo League tournament.

"This has been such a journey for me." She whispered to herself.

Not just her Pokémon journey. The life she had before this one. In her first life, she was an ignored child with no friends. But now, she was a Pokémon trainer who has amazing friends and Pokémon by her side. Also an amazing mom who loves, cares, and supported her since she was born into this world.

With that positive thought, she fell asleep.

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It was the next day, everyone was gathered in the Pokémon stadium for the opening ceremony of the Indigo League. The stadium was full of people who wanted to watch the trainers competing.

"And the opening ceremonies of the Pokémon League competition are officially underway!" A male announcer announced to everyone, "This is where the top Pokémon Trainers and their Pokémon come to prove their skill, their strength, and their spirit!"

Volkner, Flint, Misty, and Brock were sitting with Mr. Goodshow in the audience.

"These hopeful competitors will battle one another as they strive always for excellence and victory! A victory they will need to enter the ranks of the Pokémon Masters!"

The trainers who entered the league walked out of the hallway of the stadium.

"And here they come! The competitors are proudly entering the stadium, each having proved their worthiness by winning a minimum of eight Gym Badges!"

Ashlyn kept a calm face, but she was somewhat nervous. However with Tesla on her shoulder, she felt a little better.

"And now the trainer bearing the flame of Moltres has entered the stadium for the official lighting of the central torch which will burn throughout the Pokémon League Competition!"

As the female torchbearer reached the top of the steps, there were two robe figures at the top waiting. Ashlyn knew who those two were and ran out of the crowd and towards the stairs immediately.

"This is a surprise! Looks like two figures who respect the league are about to accept the flame."

"I'll take that torch little girl." A familiar female voice said.

Ashlyn heard the voice as she got closer to the top, "Wait! Don't let them have the torch!" She shouted.

But it was too late, the torch got snatched out of the female torchbearer's hand and the robe figures took off their robes which revealed to be Jessie and James.

Ashlyn reached the top of the stairs, "Must you ruin everything, Team Rocket?" She asked.

"Maybe not everything, but we try to do what we can." Meowth replied.

Team Rocket brought out a big machine, which held a cauldron. Jessie lit the flame onto a cauldron and the flame turned into a bigger flame.

"With this flame, not only will we be rich, but unstoppable!" Meowth declared with a laugh.

"Ladies and gentlemen the central torch has just been stolen by some giant mechanical monster."

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Mr. Goodshow watched in horror, "Oh no, without the flame of Moltres, we won't be able to start the competition!"

"I'll get the flame back. I'll teach them not to mess with a Fire-type trainer." Flint declared with flames in his eyes.

Before he could stand up, a hand on his shoulder pushed him down. He blinked and looked to who's hand was on his shoulder, Volkner.

"Let Ashlyn handle this. She'll get the torch back." Volkner assured them.

Everyone looked to him.

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Ashlyn glared at Team Rocket's machine. There was no way that she was going to let them ruin the competition! She and her Pokémon have worked so hard to get into the league.

She took out two Pokéballs from her belt, "Natsu, Romulus, let's go!" The two were released and stood by Ashlyn.

"Romulus, use Rock Tomb!" Ashlyn ordered.

Romulus howled as tall large rocks came from the ground and surrounded the machine, making it unable to move.

"Natsu, use Steel Wing on the machine's arms!"

Natsu roared as his wings glowed a metallic color and charged towards the arms on the machine's arms which were soon destroyed. However, the flame cauldron was free falling. The crowd gasped in worry. Luckily Natsu quickly flew down and caught it. Then he placed it back to where it belonged. The crowd sighed with relief.

"Now let's send them blasting off." Ashlyn decided.

Her Pokémon nodded and cried out in agreement. At that moment, Ashlyn sensed that something was behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and gasped. It was the Moltres flames.

Everyone watched as the flames morphed into the form of Moltres. It flew beside Ashlyn who was surprised at the action along with her Pokémon.

"What is this?! The Moltres flames?!"

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"Moltres is back in a beautiful blaze of glory." Mr. Goodshow smiled.

"It's beautiful alright." Flint commented.

"I'll have to admit that it is." Volkner admitted.

"Wow." Misty awed.

"Amazing." Brock said.

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"It looks like Moltres wants to help. Let's go then! Romulus, Rock Slide! Natsu, Dragon Pulse! Tesla, Electro Ball!" Ashlyn ordered.

The three attacks combined with Moltres's flames hit the machine and exploded.

"LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket screamed as they disappeared into the sky.

Ashlyn and her Pokémon sighed in relief, "That was close one."

The Moltres flew towards the cauldron and went in, lighting the cauldron up.

Ashlyn and her Pokémon smiled at the flames, "Thank you, Moltres."

"Rai." Tesla said, on Natsu's shoulder.

"Roar." Natsu nodded.

"Rarf." Romulus barked.

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"Ladies and gentlemen the opening ceremony will now continue. Here is President Goodshow to greet our competitors!"

"Welcome one and all!" Mr. Goodshow greeted, "This stadium is a very special place, a place where those who truly love Pokémon have come to compete! Here the glow from the flame of Moltres burns brightly to light our hearts and spirits. Battle valiantly and keep that flame alive, in your heart and in your spirit!"

The crowd and the trainers cheered.

Ashlyn smiled and looked up at Moltres's flames with determination, "This is it, Tesla. We finally made it to the Pokémon League. The real battle starts tomorrow."

Tesla nodded.

Ashlyn knew that the Pokémon League wasn't going to be easy, but she wasn't going to back down. She was in it to win it.

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A/N: I'm not putting the list of Pokémon because Ashlyn isn't capturing any Pokémon.