The roar of the stadium faded into a distant hum as Ash stepped out of the participant tunnel and into the quiet evening air. The Indigo Plateau's trainer cottages were tucked away on the eastern side of the complex small, cozy cabins with wooden porches, flower boxes, and views of the rolling hills. Each one had a number plaque and a small yard where Pokémon could stretch their legs.
Ash's assigned cottage was #17 simple, clean, with a soft yellow light already glowing in the windows. He smiled when he saw four familiar figures waiting on the porch.
Amber spotted him first. "Big brother!"
She bolted down the steps like a little rocket, pigtails bouncing, and threw herself into his arms with enough force to make him stagger back a step.
"You won! You won all the prelims! You're so cool!"
Her tiny arms squeezed his neck, voice bubbling with childish excitement and pure pride. Ash laughed, lifting her off the ground in a spinning hug.
"Thanks, Amber. Couldn't have done it without my best cheerleader."
He set her down gently. She beamed up at him, cheeks pink.
Delia was next arms open, eyes shining with that soft, proud-mother glow.
"My boy… you were incredible out there."
She pulled him into a warm hug, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Ash hugged her back tightly, breathing in the familiar scent of her lavender shampoo.
"Thanks, Mom. I'm glad you saw it."
Cynthia still disguised under Daisy's make up as a tall, dark-haired woman with glasses and a loose cardigan stood beside Delia, smiling gently. The disguise hid her Champion aura and pregnancy swell perfectly, but her eyes were unmistakably hers warm, proud, a little misty.
Ash stepped forward, cupped her disguised cheek, and pressed a gentle kiss to it.
"You okay?" he murmured, low enough that only she could hear.
Cynthia's smile deepened. "More than okay. You were magnificent."
Sabrina and Misty stood just behind, both wearing proud, slightly smug grins. Misty gave him a playful punch on the arm.
"Not bad, hotshot."
Sabrina simply nodded once, but the soft glow in her eyes said everything.
Delia clapped her hands together, beaming so brightly she could've lit the porch herself.
"Okay, enough standing around! My son just crushed the prelims I'm cooking tonight! I already talked to the cafeteria staff. They're letting me use their kitchen."
Everyone sweat-dropped in unison.
Brock blinked. "Uh… Mrs. Ketchum, you don't have to "
"Nonsense!" Delia waved him off cheerfully. "I'm making all of Ash's favorites. Come on, everyone inside!"
Misty whispered to Sabrina, "She's gonna cook for an army, isn't she?"
Sabrina nodded solemnly. "Yes."
Inside the cottage, the smell of home-cooked food quickly filled the air. Delia had somehow convinced the staff to let her take over a corner of the cafeteria kitchen and brought back trays loaded with Ash's childhood classics: fluffy tamagoyaki, katsu curry, miso soup with tofu, grilled saltwater eel, and a massive bowl of rice topped with furikake. There was even a small mountain of onigiri wrapped in nori.
The group sat around the low table, legs folded under them on cushions. Amber sat practically in Ash's lap, stealing bites from his plate. Cynthia (still disguised) ate slowly, savoring every bite. Misty and Sabrina kept sneaking glances at each other, silently agreeing that Delia's cooking was dangerously good.
Between mouthfuls, Ash looked up.
"Where's Professor Oak? He didn't come watch?"
Daisy sitting cross-legged beside Cynthia answered with a small smile.
"Grandpa went to congratulate Gary. He advanced to the top 16 too. Said he wanted to give him some last-minute tips… and probably a lecture about not getting cocky."
Ash chuckled. "Sounds like him."
After dinner, everyone helped clear the table . The group piled into the cottage's small elevator to head up to the rooftop terrace for some fresh air.
Just as the doors were closing, a boy with messy brown hair and a red cap slid in at the last second, panting, a backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Sorry! Thanks for holding it!"
The elevator started moving. Thenflick the lights went out. A low groan echoed through the shaft as the elevator jerked to a stop.
Everyone froze.
Amber whimpered. "It's dark…"
The boy sighed, not panicked. "Power outage. Happens sometimes with all the stadium draw."
He knelt, unzipped his backpack, and pulled out a small flashlight. "Pikachu can you give us a spark?"
Ash's Pikachu hopped down. "Pika!"
A tiny jolt from Pikachu's cheek sparked the emergency panel. The boy worked quickly rewiring something with practiced hands. Thirty seconds later, the lights flickered back on and the elevator hummed to life.
The doors opened on the rooftop.
The boy stood, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Thanks for the help. Name's Ritchie. I'm in the League too."
Ash extended a hand. "Ash Ketchum. Nice work with the wiring."
Ritchie shook it, grinning. "Sparky helped." He nodded toward a little Pikachu peeking out of his backpack. "If fate puts us against each other tomorrow… I'll bring my best. Looking forward to it."
Ash's eyes sparkled. "Same here. Good luck."
Ritchie waved and headed off.
Misty raised an eyebrow. "He seems nice."
Sabrina nodded. "He has a calm aura."
The next morning top 16 selection day.
The association had set up a festive outdoor area near the main stadium. A long wooden pier extended over a sparkling pond. At the end stood Chairman Goodshow, wearing his trademark top hat, holding a fishing rod with a special Magikarp-shaped lure. Each lure had a number engraved on it.
Trainers lined up, took turns casting. Whatever number they hooked decided their opponent.
Ash stepped up last in his group.
He cast the rod smooth, practiced motion. The lure sank, bobbed… then tugged.
He reeled in.
The number on the lure: A-3.
Chairman Goodshow beamed. "A-3! That means your opponent for the top 16 is…"
Ritchie stepped forward from the crowd, holding up his own lure A-3.
He grinned. "Guess fate heard us last night."
Ash smirked back. "Looks like it."
Ritchie adjusted his cap. "I'm bringing my big guns, Ash. Hope you're ready."
Ash nodded, eyes gleaming. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
The bracket was set.
Tomorrow top 16.
Ash vs. Ritchie.
The real tournament was about to begin.