"Trainer Ash has been defeated! Alain is the new Champion of Kalos!"

Everyone in the stadium erupted in a tremendous cheer. Alan waved his hands at the jubilant crowd, soaking in all of the recognition. He is now the strongest trainer in Kalos! It was the title and honor that he has always deserved.

Across the field his rival silently clenched his fists. He recalled his defeated greninja to his pokeball. He couldn't look up towards the display screen or the cheering crowd. Again….Ash had lost again. This time he had come so close…and yet he had lost. How could Alain's charizard defeat his greninja? How? Alain was a strong trainer, but Ash was far more experienced. It felt as if the gods have cheated him out of the victory that he deserved.

Mustering all of his strength, Ash looked up with a determined face. He was going to accept this with dignity and pride. After all, his pokemon had worked so hard to support his dream. His friends too, they have supported him all the way. Even if the world didn't acknowledge him, at least…at least Serena would. The thought of her reassuring smile and words of encouragement warmed Ash's heart.

The announcer said his concluding remarks and both trainers exited the field. There is still some time before the awards ceremony. Ash felt his fatigue overwhelm him as he made his way to the Trainer's room. His friends would be waiting there for him.

He opened the door.

It was empty.

No Clemont, no Bonnie…and no Serena.

Hmm, Ash thought, they must have gotten lost. Maybe the path from the stands to the backroom was crowded and difficult to navigate. Of course, that was it. They are stuck with the crowd trying to get here. Sighing in relief, Ash took off his cap and lied down on the bench. Let's rest a bit, he thought, and I'll wake up to sight of my friends…to Serena…

He drifted off into a deep, troubled sleep.

"Sir, wake up! Sir!"

Ash was rudely jolted into consciousness. He looked around and saw Nurse Joy frantically try to nudge him awake. Ash blinked in confusion as she let out an exasperated gasp.

"You're late! The awards ceremony has begun! Everyone is waiting for you!"

"Oh…" Ash mumbled.

He looked around the empty room.

"Um…did anyone come in? Di –"

"SIR! WE NEED TO GO!"

Nurse Joy was clearly in no mood to for small talk or pointless conversation. She was yanking his shirt to try to get him to stand up. Ash didn't even have to time to put on his hat when she literally shoved him out of the room and started pulling him towards the stadium. As they got closer and closer a sense of dread rose in Ash's stomach. Had he overslept? She said that they were waiting for him…who? The entire League? Why didn't anyone wake him up? Where were his friends…

When they reached the open field that the ceremony was taking place, they found it packed full of people. Clearly everyone was trying to get a glimpse of the ceremony up close and personal. Ash looked at the sea of people that lay between him and the podium. He turned to Nurse Joy to perhaps suggest another route, but she simply shrugged and walked away.

Not her problem.

Ash groaned and began his journey to push through the jostling crowd. He tried his best to squeeze through everyone but there was too much shoving and pushing.

"Hey! Hey! I need to get to –"

Someone elbowed him.

"Ouch! Who – I need to – I'm the – "

Ash felt a shove from behind him and he almost fell.

"Please! I'm Ash Ketchum! The finalist of the –"

He tripped and fell onto the packed earth. Someone kicked him. Somebody else stepped over him. All Ash could do was curl up and try not get crushed underneath the stampede. All he could hear was the crowd chanting "Alain! Alain! Alain!"

" – well folks it seems like we're in a bit of pickle here! Second place trainer Ash Ketchum has yet to arrive! What are you thoughts on this, Mr. Alain? Do you think he is too ashamed to face you again?"

Alain smirked and shrugged.

"Maybe. I wouldn't be surprised"

He waved at the crowd and savored the wild cheer that this simple gesture provoked. His eyes quickly scanned the VIP seats nearby and saw Serena waving frantically at him. He winked and smiled at her. Serena's face suddenly turned red with emotion and quickly hid behind Clemont and Bonnie, who were both giggling at her shyness. Alain's thoughts were interrupted by the host frantically pointing a the crowd.

"Look! I think I see the Ketchum boy! There he is! He is here! Oh, how terrible! He looks trashed!"

Ash stumbled towards the podium as best he could. He limping on one leg. He saw Alain and the host standing on the podium, both dressed in fashionable and immaculate clothing. For the first time in his life, Ash felt self-conscious about his appearance. What did he look like? He made his way onto the podium and was handed the trophy.

Ash looked at Alain.

"Hey Alain…that was a good –" Ash began weakly.

"AND SO COMES THE END OF THE ANNUAL LUMIOSE CONFERENE! HERE WE HAVE OUR NEW CHAMPION….ALAAAAAAAAIIIINNN!"

The voice was so loud that Ash covered his ears and cowered. Alain stood proudly and raised his trophy into the air. The crowd went ballistic at his display. The host nudged at him knowingly and gestured for him to do the same. Ah, yes. Of course.

Ash raised his trophy.

And it broke.

A piece of it literally broke and fell onto the ground.

The entire stadium went from deafening applause to dead silent within the drop of a pin.

Then…

Laughter.

Overwhelming laughter.

Overwhelming, genuine, uncompromising laughter.

The entire stadium burst into a defeaning laughter. Ash seemed to be able hear everything at once: giggling, smirking, sniggering, snickering, snorting, chortling, everything.

Everything.

And that was when he saw the giant display screen in stadium. He saw Alain, his tall muscular figure, dressed in his navy blue jacket and his scarf, him raising his gloved fist in victory. And beside him was a short, skinny boy dressed in shabby clothes pathetically trying to hold up a broken trophy.

Ash turned and saw Serena in the VIP seats.

Her body was shaking with her snickers.

"Hey Ash, we're hanging out with Alain tonight! So see you tomorrow!"

Beep went the phone as Serena hanged up.

Ash sat down on his bed and stared at the broken trophy on the floor.

A cold northern wind blew in from the Lumiose night, but he did not close the window.