Hopefully this is up in the next 2 weeks like I promised and if not sorry!!!

This will be a chapter focusing some aspects for the Finals which will be in the next chapter

Chapter 27: Upcoming Finals!

"Use Ice Beam!" Kyle called out as Weavile have the final attack which sent the opposing Leafeon down.

The referee stepped forward "Leafeon is unable to battle, so Weavile wins! Which means the winner of this semifinal round is Kyle!!".

"All right!" Kyle yelled as he and Weavile jumped in the air in excitement. Meanwhile, a figure stood by the exit of the arena gazing at the victor down below.

"So you're my opponent, huh" the figure daid to himself "Hope you're as good as Delgado says you are". The figure then turned right back around and left.

Serena:

She sat back in her chair and smiled. "Well guess Kyle is going to the Finals" Serena said, who wasn't hiding the excitement in her voice.

Jerry wasn't there as he was off at a meeting. He told them that "A chief's work is never done".

Ash was quiet. He didn't seem mad or sad about Kyle going to The Finals, he just seemed a little upset.

Serena didn't know why but he also seemed more aggitated to see the crowd so inspired by his battle that, Wait! She knew why he was like that.

"Hey Ash, the crowd is really eating all of Kyle's battles up" Serena said. Ash seemed uneasy but replied "I guess... but they're eating every other battles to!".

"No!" she chimed "Not the same as when Kyle battles". Ash seemed a little irritated at this but continued to look at Kyle.

"You know his reactions are kinda like you whenever you win. It's been awhile since you've battled publicly. Hmm, I wonder" she said taking a moments pause. "If you're... jealous!!".

Ash seemed to sit up at that "I'm not jealous!" he defended. "Oh, really?" Serena looked at him "He has made it through to the Finals as an underdog and fan favorite. He got a chance to battle Iris and ended up defeating one of the people who betrayed you, when you didn't get one, and now he's planning on beating you on your own stage after the Finals".

Ash looked at her condescendingly "And that's you're reasoning? Well, for you're information I'm not jealous of his influence on the crowd or his opportunity to defeat Iris. And for the record, I'm still betting him losing the Finals to that one trainer, Krook. It's not that I like Krook and especially his attitude, but from the quarterfinals I can tell that he's almost gaurenteed to win his semifinal match and the Finals.".

Serena thought of an idea "Tell you what, since we have different views on this, let's make things a little more interesting" Serena said rubbing her hands together.

Ash didn't look away from Kyle, who was leaving the stadium, but responded with curiosity "I'm listening"

"If Kyle wins the Finals, you take me to Makovania" Ash gave a look of surprise "We haven't been to Makovania in a long time. I don't know if I wanna...".

Serena cut him off, with a wave of her hand "You didn't let me finish. If Krook wins in the Finals, then we can go to any place that you want!".

Ash's eyes widened "Anywhere? Even Mt. Silver! I've always wanted to go to Mt. Silver. You know they say that Re..."

"Yes Ash, you've told me a thousand times. Even Mt. Silver" She extended her hand "Deal?".

Ash pondered if this was something he really wanted to do. However, he knew Kyle winning in the Finals wasn't that high so...

"Deal!" Ash said as he grabbed Serena's hand. He then told Serena "Pack your bags, cause after the tournament we're heading for Mt. Silver" he cheered.

Serena seemed to get a little quiet. "Ya know. Back when you we're 10 in Kalos, You probably would've cheered for Kyle and his spirit".

Ash took a sip of Cherry Pepsi "Yeah, I guess. But I've evovled past that Serena, you know that. Spirit means nothing without strength".

Serena seemed to get more quiet at that and spoke one last thing "You're 10 year old self would've disagreed".

That seemed to shut Ash up to as they continued to watch the battle in silence.

Kyle:

He had just finished celebrating his semifinal victory and Kyle felt on top of the world.

He had trained for this tournament and knowing he was in Finals and had a shot at winning, made it all surreal to him.

He passed a bunch of people in hallway wishing him good luck in the finals and how much they love him. It really made him blush.

He was in the crowd and was heading to heal his pokemon and get something to eat.

It took him about a 30 minute wait in line to get some food and pick up his pokemon from the Pokemon Center.

He was turning a corner when he bumped into a person, sending his Mountain Dew and 2 Hamburgers all over the man.

They both fell down but only the man ended up covered in Kyle's meal. He immediately stood up and Kyle bowed multiple times rapidly, which probably would've looked funny to him in retrospect, and told him how sorry he was.

The man clenched his fists and looked ready to explode on him, when he saw his face and cooled down.

"Aren't you Kyle?" The man questioned as he stared at him with some intent in mind.

"Yeah, I am" Kyle asked, knowing this stranger probably knew him from the tournament "Listen Mr. I'm really sorry and".

"Don't be sorry" the man told Kyle in a gentle voice, which didn't seem natural for him "It was an accident. Please, Mr. is my father's" he paused and gathered himself as if his father reminded him of something.

"Mr. is my father's name" he repeated much more normally "No, people call me Delgado".

Kyle looked at the man and held out his hand "Okay Delgado, nice to meet you! But if you'll excuse me I have to train for the finals and".

"As you should" Delgado said in a calming way "But a trainer of your caliber shouldn't have to train right now, not after an intense battle".

Kyle looked at the man with a sheepish look "Aww, thanks Delgado!" the man seemed so nice "But really I should train after I go back and get something to eat and".

"Hey! I have a place in a nearby hotel, with a buffet. You seem like a nice trainer and could use a great meal! Come with me for an hour with your Pokemon and eat as much as you want!".

"Well" Kyle said "I still don't". "It has a fondue fountain" Delgado persuaded. "Well I can't say no to that!" Kyle finalized as Delgado led him to his arena.

When they arrived in room, a buffet could be seen on a table stretching for at least 100 feet.

All his pokemom dug in and he wasn't any different. An hour must've gone by before they finished.

"Thank you so much!" Kyle told Delgado "It really was great and you have such a great room!".

"Thank you Kyle!" Delgado thanked him "But I must admit... I had an alternative reason for bringing you here".

"What?" Kyle said, clearly not sensing anything amit. "Well to be honest, I'm in hunt of a artifact. It's called a pillar" Delgado explained to him

"A pillar?" Kyle asked, confused as he had never heard of a pillar "I'm guessing you don't mean like a part of a building".

Delgado laughed, which sounding like the grinding of teeth, and replied "No. It's a ancient artifact that is almost worthless to most but everything to me!".

"Well, that all sounds great Delgado" Kyle said "But there's just one thing: What do I have to do with this and why do you need my help?".

"Awww, good question" he nodded in agreement "You see there is a legend that states" he cleared his voice

"A Trainer on the rise,

Will find where the pillar lies;

A battle of bonds to break it free,

In the region of the Sea".

"Okay from what I understood you need a strong trainer, and you think that's me?" Kyle asked in suprise.

"Well, you are in the Finals. You have a powerful team. The only thing that would stop me is you not winning the finals. Just win the tournament and that will be all the evidence I need".

"What's in it for me?" Kyle asked "As much as I'd love to help you, I gotta face Ash".

"I could give you what other person could!" Delgado exclaimed. "A bike from the pokemon center! Those things cost a fortune and".

"No!! It's not a bike you little" Delgado caught himself "I'm sorry, it's not a bike. It's a chance to be a champion".

Kyle looked straight into his eyes "You could do that?". Delgado smiled "Yes. If I get the pillar, I could do away with Ash Ketchum. You could be emperor! You could get revenge for your sister!" Delgado persuaded him.

"Did you think anyone else could've been the trainer in the legend?" Kyle asked, trying to remove any doubt.

"Well, I did think it could've been a few other people" Delgado said with clear disappointment and distaste in his voice "However, once proven they weren't the trainer in the legend. They intended to sell information with others who wished to find the pillar, so I had to stop them".

"What did they get?" Kyle asked feeling slightly uneasy. "What they deserved" Delgado looked with a face that told Kyle not to ask.

"So if you win the Finals" Delgado said, trying to move on "Will you help me?" Delgado said as he held out his hand.

"Well, he did make a lot of good points" Kyle reasoned "But then again he does seem a little off".

Kyle considered his 2 options and finally spoke "Delgado" he paused, causing any other doubt to cease "You got yourself a deal!" he shook his hand.

"Wonderful!" Delgado said with a eerily happy smile

Ash:

It was around 4pm and Ash was anxious. This was around the time that Kyle was supposed to meet Serena, Jerry, and him.

The meeting that Serena had set up was right at hand and Ash was ready to offer something that he had never offered before.

Serena was reading an article on her phone about the latest fashion tips in performances and Jerry was taking a nap, but told Ash to wake him up when he got here.

Pikachu was more cautious then scared, but he agreed to support Ash with whatever he thought was right.

They heard a knock on the door behind them on their private balcony. "That's Kyle!" Serena stated with a smile.

Serena went to go answer the door, while Ash tapped Jerry waking him up. Serena opened the door "Kyle!" she spoke nicely.

"Uh, hi Serena" Kyle said clearly not as enthusiastic. They walked in a couple feet and met Jerry and him in the middle.

"Chief Beati, it's an honor" Kyle spoke, shaking Jerry's hand. Kyle looked at Ash, and they both did not speak to each other.

The tension was very noticeable and Serena mouthed to him to say something. "The other semifinal match is about to start" Ash simply stated.

"Yeah" Kyle said with the same level of emotion as Ash. "So" Serena nervously laughed "Should be watch it?".

"Yeah sure Kyle said, even though I'm probably going to win it's good to scope out the competition for the finals" Kyle boasted, which to Ash was very out of character for him.

Ash ignored this however "Yeah, we should". The referee had already announced the rules and the battle had just begun.

Krook had sent out his Umbreon and the other trainer Dennis had sent out his Pigeot.

"So Kyle" Ash drew the attention of Kyle "What was up with you Blaziken?". Kyle kinda seemed off put from the question "To me it looked like a weird version of Blaze was activated".

Down below, Umbreon had finished Pigeot with a Quick Attack and a Dark Pulse.

"Really?" Ash said "To me it kinda looked like the Battle Bond ability that Greninja and I share" Ash told the Finalist.

"I don't know about that" Kyle said shrugging off Ash's suspicions. "Don't lie to me" Ash said, making the tension in the room grow further "I know that you think it is to. It's obvious from the way you interact with you Blaziken".

"So what if I do?" Kyle said plainly, not really getting a definite truth out of him "You gonna take me out so you're the only one with Battle Bond?".

The chief seemes more invested in the battle after Kyle said that, as he observed Krook defeating a Stantler with 2 Quick Attacks back to back.

"No" Ash replied to Kyle "But I've never met another trainer capable of using Battle Bond. I've thought about it and I was considering if you wanted to maybe learn from me".

Kyle looked at him like he was a patient from an asylum "Are you crazy? Like hell would I ever train with you. You humiliated my sister in a battle. I could never forgive you for that!" Kyle spat at Ash in contempt.

Ash sat up "I didn't humiliate her you little shit" Ash pointed up "It was a close battle and could've gone any way. You chose to take it like I humiliated her! She even tried to tell you it wasn't bad, but you wouldn't listen!".

Kyle sat back and laughed ironically "You see? This is another reason I would never train with you. We always argue. Maybe it works out for the best though" Kyle looked dead straight at Ash "When was the last time you used the Ash-Greninja form".

Serena glanced nervously at Kyle "Kyle you shouldn't mention". Ash glared at Kyle as he saw hundreds of pictures flying through his memory at once.

Ash(in his mind):

"Go Greninja! Destroy them!" Ash yelled in fury. "No wait, please!" the man called who he was battling but he was blown away.

"Ash please stop!" Serena cried out to him, but he didn't listen. "Greninja destroy the area with a Fire Shuriken".

"No wait please this isn't you!!!" Serena called. But he didn't listen and Greninja carried out the attack causing a explosion.

Ash(back to reality):

Ash stood up and grabbed Kyle by the shirt "Listen you fucking piece of shit! I haven't had a tough enough battle to use the Ash-Greninja form in awhile! That's the only reason! GOT IT!!". Pikachu followed the statement with a angry "Pika!".

Ash threw him back into his seat but Kyle stood up a moment later "If you say so, but I don't even think you believe what you just said! By the way, I won't need your training because I'll win the Finals easily and then...".

"Uh, sorry to interrupt" Jerry spoke up "But you might want to look at the field". "Look Jerry now's not the time to..." Ash didn't get a chance to finish. He and Kyle looked at field and couldn't believe what they saw.

Umbreon was still standing after defeating a Spiritomb. That alone was impressive, but just Krook's Umbreon had defeated 6 of Dennis's pokemon. Meaning he hadn't lost a pokemon leading into the Finals.

"So" Kyle said looking a lot less pridefull then before "That's my opponent for the Finals".

They were quiet. As that seemed there was nothing that words could use to describe this guys.

"Well, I guess I better get training" Kyle said as he ran off the balcony without another word.

"Wait Kyle!" Serena and Ash both cried out, but for different reasons. Serena called out as a friend but Ash called out cause he wasn't finished talking to him yet.

"Serena, Jerry, I'm gonna go get him! I'll be back" he called out as he ran after Kyle.

He looked for Kyle for the next hour at least. He checked the arena, the nearby town, the pokemon center, training fields, and every other place he could think of.

Eventually though, he had to head back to balcony. It had just started to rain. Which, much to Ash's annoyance, it started to pour. He had to run to avoid the downfall.

He had just remembered their was a shortcut back to the arena through an alleyway.

Ash had just turned the corner and saw something big and purple in the middle of an alleyway.

Ash didn't know what it was but tried to avoid it as he walkes past it. "Awwww" the purple thing cried out in pain.

Ash realized it was a person and ran straight over to her. Ash then lifted her hair which was big and purple over her head to reveal a newly scared, beaten person.

"I-Iris" Ash stammered as he dropped her on her back and backed up. Iris was unconscious and clearly got messed up and clearly needed medical attention immediately.

Ash then started to walk forward and help her. "Wait" the one side of his brain spoke up "She betrayed you and kicked you out of your family". "She deserves to die for everything she's done to you".

The other part of his brain spoke up "But even so, you have to be bigger than her and do the right thing!".

Both sides had good parts to both of them. It was at this moment that Ash realised that no one was around, she was close to death, and had little to no chance of surviving, as well as almost ruining his tournament by having her win.

It was at this point where Ash was at a crossroads. Ash finally chose.

Author's Notes:

Wouldn't it be nice if you got that choice straight away? Tell me in the comments what you think Ash's choice is!

Yeah, I'm surprised this chapter came out this quick. Had a lot of free time and decided to write another chapter.

This was made to set up the next chapter and next few chapters coming up. So, I hope this really helps with the buildup!!

Question Time:

1). What is this Region of the Sea that Delgado mentioned?

2). Speaking of which, What exactly is that prophesy?

3). Will Kyle beat Krook in the next battle?

4). What is in store for Kyle?

5). Are you excited and/or shocked about the Delgado/Kyle partnership?

6). Will Iris survive???????

7). AND WILL ASH SAVE HER OR LEAVE HER!!!!!!

This and many more will (most likely not, hah!!) be answered!

Tell me what you liked, didn't like, what I coudl do better, what I should do, send me OC's, etc.

Anyways, I'll see you in the next chapter!!