The roar of the Indigo Plateau still echoed through the tunnels as Ash Ketchum stepped out of the competitor's exit with a huge grin on his face. The stadium lights had dimmed to a soft golden glow, but the crowd's energy refused to fade. Tens of thousands of voices chanted his name in waves that rolled across the plateau like a living tide.
"ASH! ASH! ASH!"
Ash punched the air once, laughing out loud. His team had been unstoppable. Ritchie's Pokémon were strong, but Ash's were on a completely different level. Aura mastery and the system's gifts had turned every single one of them into legends in their own right.
The mirror match had been intense, but Ash felt energized, buzzing with victory. Pikachu rode proudly on his left shoulder, cheeks sparking with leftover excitement. His adaptable Eevee perched on the right, tail curled around his neck like a scarf, nuzzling his cheek with a happy "Ee-vee!"
Misty was on his left in an instant, throwing her arms around his neck and planting a loud kiss on his cheek. "You were amazing! That final Seismic Toss the whole stadium lost it! I'm so proud of you I could scream!"
Sabrina appeared on his right, her usual calm mask cracking the moment she reached him. Her eyes were bright, cheeks flushed with excitement, and she slipped her arms around his waist, pressing her face against his chest for a long second. "Ash… your aura was blazing the entire time. I could feel it from the stands so warm, so strong. You were beautiful out there." She pulled back just enough to look up at him, her voice soft but full of emotion. "I love watching you like this. I love you."
Ash's grin softened as he hugged her back, one arm around Misty and the other around Sabrina. "Thanks, you two. Couldn't have done it without my girls cheering louder than the whole crowd."
Brock walked behind them, chuckling as he carried Ash's spare jacket. "Top eight, Ash. The real Indigo League starts tomorrow. But tonight? We celebrate."
The group made their way along the lantern-lit path toward the trainers' village, laughing and replaying the best moments of the battle. Misty kept stealing quick kisses on Ash's cheek every few steps. Sabrina stayed glued to his side, her fingers laced with his, occasionally squeezing his hand and whispering how proud she was, her usual quiet demeanor replaced by open, affectionate warmth.
They were halfway to the village when it happened.
A figure came around the corner too fast, head down, scrolling frantically on a Poké Gear. Shoulder met shoulder with a solid thud. The other trainer stumbled backward and hit the pavement, red bandana slipping over one eye.
Ash reacted instantly, dropping to a knee. "Whoa sorry about that! You okay?"
He offered his hand. The boy took it and pulled himself up, brushing dust from a white-and-black jacket. He was about Ash's height, maybe a year younger, with messy brown hair and sharp green eyes. Six polished Poké Balls gleamed on his belt.
"Totally my fault," the boy laughed, adjusting the bandana. "I was glued to the bracket preview and didn't see you. Nice reflexes, though."
Ash froze.
The face. The voice. The easy confidence.
This was Brendan Birch.
In the original timeline in the anime Ash remembered from his previous life, Brendan had never been shown. Never spoken to Ash. Never even appeared on screen. He had been a background name, one of the three original Hoenn dex holders, the trainer everyone expected to become Hoenn's future Champion.
And now here he was, standing right in front of him in the middle of the Kanto League.
Brendan rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish but pleased. "Sorry to cause you trouble. My name is Brendan Birch, Littleroot Town, son of the guy who keeps sending me out to chase Wurmple at three in the morning." He offered his hand properly. "Nice to meet you for real, Ash."
Ash shook it firmly. "Same here."
Brock's eyes went wide with surprise. "Wait the Brendan Birch? Like Professor Birch from Hoenn?"
Misty and Sabrina just exchanged a quick eye-to-eye glance, as if meeting big shots here wasn't new to them.
Pikachu's ears perked. Eevee tilted her head cutely. Togepi waved tiny arms from Misty's hold, letting out a cheerful "Toge!"
Brendan glanced at the group and laughed. "Your traveling crew, right? I've seen clips of you guys on the league broadcasts. You've been through some wild stuff together."
Misty grinned, still hugging Ash's arm. "That's one way to put it. We keep him out of trouble… mostly."
Sabrina leaned her head against Ash's shoulder, voice full of affection. "Mostly successfully. Ash makes it hard sometimes, but we wouldn't have it any other way."
Brendan turned back to Ash. "Anyway, I started my journey a whole year early. Dad let me leave the day I turned ten. I was supposed to challenge the Hoenn circuit last year, but I got caught up helping with field research, mapping new areas, training in the wild… I basically became Dad's unpaid assistant for twelve months straight." He laughed. "I never entered the official Hoenn League cycle. He told me if I wanted to prove myself, I should come to the region where it all began. So here I am. First time in Kanto, first league outside Hoenn, and somehow I scraped into the top eight."
Ash's eyes sparkled with genuine surprise and respect. "You crossed an entire ocean just to test yourself here? That's awesome."
Brendan shrugged, but his eyes were bright. "Pretty much. I wanted to see how I measured up against trainers who grew up on these routes. And hey top eight ain't bad for a tourist, right?"
Sabrina's smile widened, and she gave Ash's hand a gentle squeeze. "It's more than impressive. It shows real heart."
Misty bounced on her toes. "This league just got way more exciting!"
Brendan shook his head, grinning. "Look, I won't keep you guys. You just came off a huge match you probably want to celebrate. Just wanted to say congrats, Ash. That battle was something else. Your Pokémon trust you completely. It shows." He offered a quick wave to the group. "See you around the bracket tomorrow. Whoever we draw, good luck."
With that, he scooped up his Poké Gear, adjusted his backpack, and jogged off toward the row of eastern cottages, disappearing around the corner.
Ash stared after him for a long moment, a mix of shock and excitement on his face.
Misty poked his ribs, eyes sparkling. "You okay? You look like you just met a celebrity!"
Ash laughed. "That Brendan Birch he is going to be a good challenger tomorrow, I am sure about that!"
Sabrina turned to him, cupping his face with both hands, her eyes soft and full of love. "I am sure you are going to give us more surprises tomorrow." She leaned in and kissed him gently, lingering for a moment. "I'm so happy to be here with you through all of it."
Misty wrapped her arms around Ash from the other side, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Whatever happens tomorrow, we've got your back. And if you face him… we'll be cheering the loudest."
Brock chuckled. "This just got a lot more interesting."
They reached cabin seven a few minutes later, still buzzing with energy. Ash released his full team the moment the door closed, letting them stretch and celebrate. Pikachu and Eevee claimed the couch. Misty and Sabrina helped Brock prepare a big victory feast while Togepi chased Eevee around the coffee table, everyone laughing and talking over each other.
Later, when the cottage finally quieted and Brock had gone to his room, Ash sat on the balcony with Misty curled against his left side and Sabrina pressed warmly against his right. Misty kept tracing patterns on his arm, occasionally stealing kisses. Sabrina rested her head on his shoulder, fingers intertwined with his, whispering how much she loved him and how proud she was.
Tomorrow the bracket would drop. Tomorrow everything could change again.
Across the village, in cottage four, Brendan dropped his bag and immediately initiated a video call.
Professor Birch's face appeared almost instantly lab coat rumpled, hair wild, a Treecko asleep on a stack of papers behind him.
"Brendan! I've been waiting! Top eight I'm telling everyone who will listen that my son just made the quarterfinals in Kanto!"
Brendan laughed, flopping onto the bed. "Thanks, Dad. It was close today. That Johto trainer's Gyarados nearly swept me."
"Nonsense," Birch said proudly. "Your Sceptile handled it perfectly. I'm proud of you, son. Win or lose tomorrow, this is already the best possible start to your career."
Brendan rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm pumped. Confident, even. But… there's one trainer I'm keeping an eye on. Ash Ketchum. I literally ran into him like, physically on the way back tonight. Helped me up, we talked. He's… different. His Pokémon move like they share one mind with him. If I draw him tomorrow…"
Birch's expression turned thoughtful. "Ash Ketchum… I've heard the name. I'll pull everything I can find tonight match footage, move patterns, interviews. If you face him, you'll have a full report by morning."
Brendan nodded. "Thanks, Dad. But even with data… I have a feeling this one's going to come down to who wants it more."
Birch smiled warmly. "Then show him what a Hoenn trainer is made of. Sleep well, Brendan. I am proud of you, my boy."
The call ended.
Brendan released his own team Sceptile, Swampert, Combusken, Mightyena, Breloom, and Absol letting them settle around the small cottage. He spent an hour reviewing notes, running mental simulations, talking strategy in low tones with Sceptile leaning against the wall, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
When he finally turned off the light, the moon hung full and bright over the Indigo Plateau.
Morning came quickly.
At exactly 9:00 a.m., the massive screen in the central plaza flared to life.
Trainers, staff, and early spectators gathered beneath it in a growing crowd.
The quarterfinal bracket appeared in blazing gold letters.
Quarterfinal 2 Ash Ketchum (Pallet Town) vs. Brendan Birch (Littleroot Town, Hoenn)
A ripple of excited murmurs swept through the crowd.
Ash stood at the front with Misty gripping his left hand tightly and Sabrina's arm looped through his right, her head resting against his shoulder.
He stared at the screen.
Then a slow, fierce grin spread across his face.
"Brendan…"
Misty squeezed his hand, eyes shining. "Looks like the universe wants a show."
Sabrina lifted her head, smiling brightly as she kissed his cheek. "And we will give it one. I love you, Ash. I am 100 percent sure you are going to win. I'm so proud to stand beside you."
Pikachu's cheeks sparked once bright and eager.
Eevee let out a determined "Vee!"
In the distance, Brendan stood with his hands in his pockets, red bandana catching the morning sun.
Their eyes met across the plaza.
Brendan gave a single, respectful nod.
Ash returned it.
No words. No trash talk.
Just the silent promise of two trainers who had come too far to hold anything back.
Tomorrow, the Indigo Plateau would witness a battle between Kanto's rewritten legend and Hoenn's rising star.
And only one would walk away.
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Done! It's option 2 most people choose this one. The quarterfinals will be Ash vs. Brendan.
I know, I know Brendan was originally Norman's son in the games and story, but in my story, I am making him Professor Birch's son.
This Brendan trained for 1 full year before starting his journey, and his team will give Ash's team a really good fight. The Pokémon I have chosen for this match are: Dragonair (male), Muk, Annihilape, Kadabra, Gengar (Journey's), and finally the big man Blastoise.
Hope you like the team selection! Do you want one big chapter with a full 6 vs 6 match, or 2 chapters with 3 vs 3 in one and another 3 vs 3 in the second chapter?
The next chapter is my 200th chapter, so comment quickly so I can start writing as soon as possible. Thanks!