The sun was rising. I stood out on the porch of the little bunk house they had given me staring out over the quiet morning.

Ivy and Kiba were still inside sleeping, but the sun had woken me right up.

Today was the day.

Today was the first day of the Indigo Conference. My first public battle. I’d be fighting in front of thousands of people, and basically everyone in Kanto would watch it on the TV if they couldn’t come.

“Bliss?” Blissey called out from inside and I turned around to see her coming out. I had released most of my team to get some sleep outside the pokeball, and it looks like Blissey was the first one to wake up. I glanced inside through the window and saw Arcanine still completely unconscious on her back as she snored away.

“I’m okay… Just thinking about what’s coming next. I guess… Change is always scary, even if I’m not really scared of what’s coming?” I offered to her and she nodded, reaching over and patted me on the head.

“Bliss. Blissey.” She offered and I couldn’t help but smile at her comforting words. She patted her arm telling me that we were strong.

“I know. I don’t have any fear about the conference itself… It’s what comes after.” I took a breath and let it out, this was the Pokemon world. Not Earth. Being famous here wasn’t quite as bad. Although Diantha had issues if I remember right. But she was also an actress and stuff.

“Blissey?” She called to get my attention, and I looked over and she made a cute face as she stretched out her cheeks.

“Pfft! What?” I gasped out in delight at the silly face as Blissey giggled along with me, and I nudged her with my shoulder as she still giggled at my reaction. “Thanks Blissey. We’ll figure it out… Together.” I added and she nodded happily at me. Then she reached down and touched her stomach.

“Hungry? Yeah me too. Let’s go see what food restaurants are open for trainers!”“Bliss!”

—--

After a nice early breakfast, I went back and got dressed and then kicked Kiba out of bed so he’d actually get up, as Ivy had already started her day.

Then the three of us gathered together to head towards the arena administration area.

There were actually five different arena’s to battle in, and the early matches would all take place in the four smaller arena’s.

Rock, Water, Grass, and Ice. Four arenas that you had to battle in and win a match in each one, before you would have access to the main Indigo Stadium.

“I’m so nervous.” Ivy whispered as we walked along the pretty paths down the streets towards the admin area.

“You’ll be fine! We did some matches, and you know how to battle.” I assured her, but she just gave me a look.

“Don’t give me that! I’ve never managed to beat you in a real fight!”“That’s because Vicky is a freak, and you shouldn’t compare yourself to her.” Kiba cut in and I instantly turned to glare at him, but it just slid off his shoulders.

“Kiba!”

“Kiba, that's mean!” Ivy added.

“What? I’m right. She’s the Legendary Trainer. I’m just hoping I don’t end up facing her in any of the matches, I want to actually show off you know?”“Like you have anything to show off for!”“Hey! I earned all the same badges as you! Just because Vicky didn’t bring me to some distant region for rare pokemon, doesn’t mean I wasn’t adding friends to my stable!” He offered and while the two of my friends bickered, I only felt my heart lighten.

Kiba hadn’t called them his pokemon, or his team, or something like that. He had called them his friends.

Kiba might be a little brat, but he was a good person.

“Kiba.” I interrupted as Ivy was about to start grabbing Kiba’s ear.

“What?”“I’m looking forward to seeing how much you’ve grown. I hope we get to face each other during the Conference.”“That’s sweet and everything Vicky, but I really hope we don’t.” He offered back and I couldn’t help but laugh at his tone, Ivy calming down and giggling as well.

“Huh? Oh hey! Ivy! It’s Ivy! Over here!” A voice started shouting and we all looked up.

“Oh! Ash! Hi!” Ivy cheered back instantly, her face shifting to a happy smile, which made me snicker a bit.

Ivy’s little crush on Ash was still hilarious.

“Oh hey.” Misty greeted as well, and gave me a nod which I nodded back in turn with a wave.

“Huh? Who is this kid?” Kiba asked, and I instantly had a sixth sense.

“I’m Ash Ketchum!” He retorted back and then did something that made me want to crack up, he opened up his vest showing off the eight badges pinned inside.

Kiba took one look at it, and then at the arrogant face Ash was making before making a noise of disgust.

“Everyone here has eight badges you dumbass.” Kiba said bluntly and then he looked over at Brock and blinked. “Gym Leader Brock?”“Who's the dumbass, dumbass!” Ash snapped back, but Kiba was more interested in Brock.

“Ah, it was… Kiba? Right?”“Yeah! That’s right.” Kiba said proudly, and I just watched along as Ash’s temper got higher and higher.

“Anyways, we should get out of here Ivy. We need to get our first matches.” Kiba offered and made to move, but then only took a few steps when he noticed that Ivy wasn’t following.

No, Ivy was trying to calm down Ash.

“Don’t mind Kiba Ash, it’s okay. I’m happy to see you got all your badges!” She chirped happily and the sudden look on Kiba’s face shifted as he realized what it meant.

I wonder if Ivy remembered that Kiba had a crush on her? Probably not since she had gotten mad at me for telling her.

I looked at the trainwreck coming to a head and wished I had popcorn.

“That’s a new outfit.” Misty offered me and I turned my face to her without looking away as Kiba marched back.

“Yeah! It’s my Dragon Master outfit.” I explained and while Misty and Brock both turned to me when I said that, I was still too focused on the drama unfolding.

“Hey! How do you know Ivy?” Kiba demanded pushing forward and up to Ash. Kiba I noticed was taller than Ash by a bit and tried to loom over the other boy.

“What’s your deal?” Ash snapped back right away. “Ivy’s a friend! What’s it to you?”“Why don’t you back-”“Hey!” Ivy argued, jumping in and pushing Kiba back. “Stop it!”You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.“Why don’t we have a battle right now then, huh new boy?” Kiba demanded and held up a pokeball, and Ash reached for his own.

I took a long step back and Misty was quick to follow along with Brock trying to call out, but deciding to just follow my lead.

Before either boy could get into it the sound of a siren was beeped and Officer Jenny pulled up, using her bikes loudspeaker to be heard.

“Hey! No battles! Do I have to pull you in, and make you miss your first day?” She demanded and both boys separated with a hurried backpedaling.

“Besides!” I called out, getting their attention. “Maybe you’ll face each other in the tournament!” I called out and laughed as they both looked to the other and nodded. I could practically see the lightning bolts shoot between the two boys' eyes.

“Well… I’m gonna go sign in cause I want to find out who I’m battling.” I called out as I walked past the boys and laughed as they both spun to chase after me.

Turning around I caught Misty, and Ivy’s eyes and all three of us were smiling at the boys, as Kiba and Ash took off.

“Ah man.” Brock whispered and then broke into a jog to catch up.

—--

“Just press this button and your first battle arena and challenger will be chosen.” The Receptionist offered me, as the button in front of her lit up red.

I nodded and just pressed it without hesitation, looking up as the little monitor did a cute little cycle until it landed on the Water Arena.

Heh.

My hand reached down for the pokeballs on my belt, and I rubbed my fingers across a certain ball.

It was time.

“Aww. I wanted to face you.” Ash said from behind me, and I blinked as I looked back up at the face of the trainer that was just assigned to me.

It wasn’t someone I recognized, but the girl was older than me, and glaring at the picture.

“Miranda Uchimaki will be your first competitor!”

“Thank you.” I said to the receptionist before turning to Ash. “Keep winning and eventually we’ll face each other.” I offered to Ash, but I had my doubts we would run into each other. I mean, we could, I suppose.

“You bet!” He responded. “Pikachu and I won’t lose this time!”

I just smiled at him, as I knew exactly how strong he was, but I also knew he wasn’t at my level, yet.

But I looked at the clock.

“3pm, huh.” I muttered. I had a long day of waiting before it would be my turn. Guess I was going to be checking out the competition.

—--

“Mama!” I greeted, happily as I found my family in the arena and rushed over.

“Hey there she is.” Papa greeted back, but Mama just held out her arms and I rushed in for a hug before sitting in the seat they had saved for me.

“Anyone good so far?” I asked Gram Gram, who just scoffed.

“Not a single one has used a Meowth, or Persian yet. Disappointing.” She offered back, and I noticed her side eyeing me.

“Sorry!” I said cheerfully, which only made her scoff at me more.

I looked over and noticed Ivy’s family was pretty close by, but Ivy hadn’t come up yet.

Heh. She was still hanging out with Ash. I on the other hand reached out and got a smack on my hand as Mama loomed over me holding her popcorn that I had just tried to swipe a few from away from.

“Pleeease?” I asked and Mama went from angry goddess to a gentle smile and tucked the popcorn in my lap.

Nice!

I looked on and smiled as the next battle began, A Blastoise going up against a Magneton. Ouch, but this could be super interesting!

Pokemon battles! Big official battles, that I was actually spectating! This was so exciting!

—--

“Victory for Ash Ketchum!” The announcer called out and I called out some cheers, but it was pointless, Ivy was on her feet and cheering loud enough for everyone in our section.

Heh. I doubt he even heard her though, because the arena was excited. Ash had an evolution mid battle. That was always exciting.

His Kingler was so cute too!

But I rose up and looked at Mama and Papa.

“I’m going to get ready.”

“Good luck Trouble.”“Beat them up Vicky.” Mama added firmly, and I smiled at how bloodthirsty she sounded.

“That’s right. Go show them what a Ferrous can do.” Gram Gram added and I nodded.

Took a deep breath and headed out. Cape fluttering behind me.

I went down into the waiting room where plenty of nervous trainers were hanging out, and walked over to the screen that had the times for battles. I still had some time. So I pulled up the Pokeball that was going to start and finish this battle.

“This is it. We’re going all out from the start okay? Together.” I whispered and I could feel the ball shake in my grip. As always they were hungry to make that agreement reality.

—--

“And now the start of the Fifth Battle on the Water field!” The announcer called out. And I was ready. This was it.

“On the red side, a returning challenger, Miranda Uchimaki of Celadon City! This is Miranda’s Fourth appearance in the Conference, and we are all looking forward to seeing how far she goes this time!” The announcer called out, and I watched as my opponent headed out of the dark entrance on the other side of the arena and up the small platform. She waved at the crowd that cheered her appearance.

“And on the Green Side! A first year trainer. Victoria Ferrous of Viridian City! And… Dragon Master?” The announcer actually sounded confused as he read it off, and the crowd went from cheering to a wave of confusion running throughout.

I couldn’t make out any single murmur from the crowd, too many voices all speaking at once, but I knew what they were saying.

Kanto had a Dragon Master? Since when?

I stepped out of the darkened corridor and onto the field, and didn’t hesitate to use my skills I had practiced over the last few days. The wind, and a shifting hand caused my cape to flap in the wind behind me as I walked, and I stood proud.

The confusion of the crowd ended quickly as people cheered regardless, but it wasn’t quite as loud as it had been just before.

That was okay.

I stepped up onto my platform and locked eyes with my opponent, she looked confused, but there was a sneer across her face regardless.

“Now! Let the fifth battle of the Water Field… Begin!” The announcer called and from that point on, I zoned him out, grabbing a pokeball in my hand and feeling the eager rumble within.

“This is your time to shine! Go! My Blue Heart!”

—--

Miranda Uchimaki

A first year trainer? An easy win. That was her decision as she stood on the podium and heard the announcer call out Victoria Ferrous.

Then everything went sideways. Dragon Master? The hell? Was she one of those weirdo trainers that made up titles for themselves? Kanto didn’t have any Dragon Masters.

She shook it off. It didn’t matter. Head games, or truth, Miranda had experience on her side. This wasn’t her first conference, and she wouldn’t lose!

Miranda’s fist clenched as she considered this conference. It was time. She couldn’t lose this time, she had trained hard, the entire year despite school, and everything else pulling her away, this was the year she was going to win it all!

The girl stepped out and walked casually across the arena without a single hint of worry.

This tiny slip of a girl, a first year was her opponent? She almost felt bad. She remembered being in that position. Her first year. She had faced someone else new at first, gotten lucky and won moving on, but had lost right after against that asshole that had won the entire conference.

It happened sometimes, but this time it would be this girl in her shoes. She wouldn’t go easy on her though. This was too important for any feelings to interfere.

The girl arrived and their eyes locked. This caused the girl to break out into a smile that was all teeth.

Huh. She had some fight in her. Maybe a bit too much confidence though.

Miranda was going to pop that right now.

“Now! Let the fifth battle of the Water Field… Begin!”

And Miranda threw out her Pokemon. The best pokemon to start this battle off with. Unlike this newbie, she knew exactly how this Water Arena would go!

“Dewgong!” Her Beauty called out and she smirked as she got plenty of happy gasps of delight from the arena. Dewgong were pretty after all!

“This is your time to shine! Go! My Blue Heart!”

And Miranda wondered what cutesy pokemon would be called tha-Holy shit that’s a Gyarados!

She stumbled back as the Gyarados rose out of the water and roared and the arena quivered, Dewgong instantly jumped into the water to hide and Miranda shivered.

Gyarados. This wasn’t the first time she’d seen some new trainer show up with such a powerful pokemon, and every time they were uncontrollable beasts! Sure sometimes they won their matches, but eventually the pokemon would lose control!

Miranda looked up at the announcer, but there was no call from the announcer, about stopping the match, and the Gyarados shifted from roaring to looking down at the water where Beauty was hiding.

“Beauty! ICE!” She called out and winced as the arctic wind suddenly picked up as a Blizzard roared in and suddenly the water started icing up.

Okay. Focus Miranda. You can beat an uncontrollable Gyarados, your next choice was perfect for it if Beauty couldn’t handle it!

“Blue Heart! Prepare!” She called out and to Miranda’s shock, and the gasps of the audience the Gyarados didn’t start rampaging, but instead began twisting, and shifting.

What was that?

Then to her surprise, the answer happened. A fat plop of a raindrop slapped into her nose. High above. The sky suddenly filled in, clouds growing, turning the blue sky gray.

Miranda shook it off. A water type buff wouldn’t help!

“Beauty!” Miranda called, and her pokemon knew what to do. Ice continued to grow, but then it suddenly surged forward Avalanche using the already created Ice.

Miranda smirked as the Gyarados was pushed back, and it roared in anger, but then the girl spoke.

“Blue Heart! Together!” She called and the Gyarados looked back for a moment, the girl's fist surged down, and Gyarados followed the movement. Blasting water high into the sky that started freezing as the Blizzard her Beauty was using to try and freeze the water for her next pokemon.

“Going into the water to hide? That won’t work!” Miranda called out, feeling confident as the Gyarados had taken a hit already!

The girl though just smiled, her lips spreading into a look of teeth and hunger. A look that promised something Miranda wasn’t sure she liked.

“Now! Blue Heart! Take your place! Show them all where you belong!” And the girl's fist that had been pointed down blasted into the air above her head, a finger pointing upwards, and Miranda screamed as everything suddenly exploded.

Freezing water smashed over her, and she had to grip onto the railing to keep from falling over, ice chunks smashed around, and she quivered as she realized that the Ice layer she had been building up had been completely smashed to nothing.

But then… Slowly as things calmed down she wiped water out of her eyes and looked at the arena.

Beauty was there… But where was the Gyarados?

“What?” She asked looking around, but it wasn’t until she noticed Beauty looking up that it registered. The Crowd was dead silent, all looking straight up as well, and slowly Miranda raised her head.

That was impossible.

No way. That couldn’t be!

There were things in life that were the way they were!

Things that swam swam. Things that walked walked. And things that shouldn’t ever be in the sky, shouldn’t be in the sky!

“Conquer it all! Claim your place! What can stand against you who defied fate! BLUE HEART! What’s the sky, but an endless ocean! One that belongs to you!” The girl roared out, and her pokemon roared in time, and then she started laughing.

The girl laughed like a madwoman, feral endless laughter.

Out from the Grey clouds above, the length of a Gyarados could be seen, flowing into and out of the bottom of the clouds. When had the sky become an ocean?

It was such a stupid thought, but Miranda couldn’t help but think it, especially as the twisting coils would sometimes shift and reveal a Gyarados looking down on them all.

“Flying… Gyarados?” She spoke, and it was about that time the announcer speakers suddenly crackled on.

“F-folks! I-I can’t believe it, but it looks like Trainer Victoria’s Gyarados is flying! Let’s all be calm, this is not a time to panic!”

No. Miranda thought right now was absolutely the time to start panicking.