Hey guys. Well, I've finally finished re-writing this sequel like I promised at the end of 'Champion League Finals'. And because some of it has been quite heavily changed, I decided to post it as a new story. Some of the reviews for the original were amazing, but keeping them on this improved version when I've changed parts of it altogether didn't seem fair to me.
I hope you enjoy this. A point to note though, if you are reading this for the first time is this, like the original, is a battle-centred fic. But I've attempted to write it in a way that is much more interesting than just endless lists of attacks, along with moments of shipping, friendship, a few plots twists, character growth etc. This follows canon up to the end of Diamond and Pearl Sinnoh League Victors and continues on the same storyline as my earlier fic, 'Champion League Finals'. But if you haven't read that one, don't worry, this one will catch you up soon enough ;).
This story is in ten parts and updates will come daily. Whether you've read the original or are now reading this for the first time, I love to hear what you think of this (good or bad) if you feel like giving a review at any point.
Anyway, enough from me. Read on and enjoy! :P
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The sound of tapping fingers filled the locker room.
He was impatient to begin, he could freely admit that to himself. Many months had been invested into this day. The man stared at the wall at the other side of the room without really seeing it, one hand already brushing against the six spheres attached to his waist. His fingers methodically moved over each one, checking then re-checking. He needn't bother. Even sat still, he could feel the faint tremors from each of the tiny metal balls as the creatures inside strained against their bonds, strapped underneath his long red cloak.
The man let out a low chuckle, devoid of any emotion as he closed his eyes, shutting out any and all distracting thoughts. He should know better. He did know better, the path he'd chosen had no mercy on those who couldn't control their emotions. Instead he re-focused on the task at hand. Long years had passed since he was last in this position.
Laughter filled his head.
The trainer swore loudly, springing to his feet. He couldn't handle much more of this, after so long, the red haze of insanity already skirted around the edge of his vision. His head felt like it was about to explode. He never should have accepted this deal.
"Wait..." the man muttered under his breath, his forehead pressed to the opposite wall and both hands threaded through his long silver hair. The episodes were becoming more frequent, and with greater intensity.
He couldn't stop now. Not now he'd reached the end of his journey. Almost ten years later than he'd intended, but he had reached it at last and now nothing could stand in his way. The trainer held his position, eyes screwed up against the pain until it finally faded, like it always did given a certain amount of time. But it was a price he willingly paid.
"Excuse me, sir?"
The trainer looked up, snapping himself back to the present as he straightened himself up quickly and fixed his gaze on the locker room entrance, suddenly realising he was no longer alone. It wouldn't do to show any hint of weakness to these people.
The official fidgeted uneasily under the intense look.
"We... Everyone's ready for you now... sir."
He returned the statement with a sharp nod, resulting in the man leaving with a relieved expression without uttering another word. The trainer took a deep breath, then checked himself over one final time, straightening out his cloak neatly, re-arranging his face back into its usual emotionless state.
It's time.
No sense of excitement, or nerves, or even anticipation. Just a cold sense of purpose. The man took one final breath, then strode forward out of the locker room without a backward glance.
...
"Pokéballs?"
"Check."
"All of them?"
"Yes..." Ash replied, with an exasperated look. "Can I go now?"
"You'll go when I'm ready Ketchum, not you. Pikachu?"
"You can see him! He's right there!"
"Pika?"
"I know he is. I just making sure you know." Misty paused, then took half a step forward, grimacing slightly as she straightened the young Champion's faded jacket. "You're really still gonna wear this then?"
"Huh?" Ash frowned at his girlfriend, clearly feigning innocence, then glanced down. "Wear what?"
"Don't play stupid. This. The thing's a mess. You've had the same jacket for what, the last five years? You really should have gotten a new cap before the match too," Misty added, glancing upwards towards the trainer's forehead. Ash immediately leapt backwards, seizing the mentioned piece of clothing with a look of horror on his face.
"You are not taking my cap!"
"Watch me," the water trainer replied threateningly, taking another half step forward.
"Aww, c'mon Myst! I'm gonna be late!"
Misty sighed deeply. "You're a Champion now Ash. We're not kids camping out in forests anymore. You're a Champion and you need to look the part. Maybe you should get a cape or something, like Lance..."
The water trainer rolled her eyes as she watched her boyfriend suddenly zone out for a moment, no doubt visualizing himself in some far-fetched super-hero costume, before snapping himself back to the present.
"Nah... Lance is cool, no doubt. But this is what I like wearing. It's just me, you know? Besides, no one wants to see how I'm dressed. They just want to see my awesome battle skills."
Misty rolled her eyes again, then paused to wipe her brow clear of sweat. The weather was uncommonly hot this summer, the usually cooler Sinnoh climate had brought an unusual heat wave. And unlike her fortunate boyfriend who was developing a rather nice (although she would never admit it) tan, the orange-haired former gym leader was simply bouncing between painful sun-burn and pasty white.
If only he would dress a bit better, he might actually look half-decent...
Still, Misty had to silently acknowledge that Ash may be right this time. Right now, at this present moment, all that really mattered was the battling skills of him and his pokémon team. Misty watched silently as the trainer glanced behind him again, staring at the long tunnel built into the outer stadium wall.
"So, you ready?"
"Oh for crying out loud..." Ash twisted back, throwing both arms in the air. "Yes. I have all my pokémon, including Pikachu. I'm perfectly well-dressed, thank you. What more do you want to ask me?"
Misty shook her head. "You know what I mean Ash. Are you ready?"
For a fleeting moment, Misty thought she saw that same look flash across the trainer's eyes, the same uncertain look she'd caught him wearing more than once in the past few weeks when he thought no one was looking, before the young Champion quickly hid it behind his usual confident expression. "Of course I am. We're gonna wipe the floor with him this time, right Pikachu?"
At the mention of his name, the electric mouse bounded upwards, landing on his trainer's shoulder with a single jump. Despite herself, Misty couldn't help but let out a small giggle as the rodent preformed a small fist-pump from his position on top of his best friend.
"Pikah pikachu!"
"See? Pikachu knows it, don't you buddy?"
"Pika pika!"
"Okay okay." The water trainer smiled as she watched Ash give Pikachu an affectionate rub between his ears, the latter relying with a contented "Chaa..."
"Well, I guess there's nothing left but to wish you both good luck then." Before either Pallet native could escape, Misty walked forward and hugged them both. They were her family now, even more in many ways than her sisters ever had been. Perhaps this had always been her real family, had she only realised it sooner. Sure, she loved her sisters, (ditzy as they were) but here she felt at home. So much so that she had left her gym leader position almost three years prior so she could live with the pair in the small house the League had provided near the southern coast of Lily of the Valley Island.
"You'll be fine, I know it. You can do this Ash." Misty whispered into his ear. He could play the confident act around other people, but not around her. She knew him far too well for that now. She could see though the outer charade, she knew just how much this upcoming match meant to the young Champion. And she could feel it now as well, in the tenseness of his body and the way his arms almost felt rigid as they slowly came up to her back and hugged her in return.
"Thanks Myst..." Ash whispered back.
The two held each other for a moment while Pikachu smiled happily at the pair, before Misty pushed him back playfully. "Okay, enough of that. Now go already! You're gonna be late Ketchum, it's almost quarter past three!"
"What?!" Ash yelped, jumping backwards with panic on his face. "I was meant to be in there ready almost fifteen minutes ago! I gotta go, let's go Pikachu!"
"Pi pikachu!" Pikachu cried as he sprinted after his trainer towards the tunnel opening, easily over-taking the young man and disappearing into the darkness in his eagerness to start. Misty shook her head again, another smile playing on her lips as she watched both disappear, before turning away to walk towards the spectator's entrance. Ash was right, if they didn't hurry, they'd both run the risk of being late.
"Hey Misty!"
"Huh?"
The water trainer span back around, staring back as the twenty-four year old Champion's head suddenly reappeared back out the tunnel opening. "What now?"
Misty watched, increasingly puzzled as Ash stared back at her now silently, a strange intense look adjourning his features.
"Ash?"
The Pallet trainer opened his mouth, clearly on the verge of saying something, then quickly closed it again.
"Doesn't matter, I'll see you after the battle Misty." And with that, Ash disappeared again. Misty stared at the tunnel entrance, her heart beating strangely fast for a reason she couldn't quite understand.
"What was that about?" the water trainer muttered quietly to herself.
Misty glanced back up at the entrance one last time, then as the commentator's voice suddenly rang through the air from inside the large stadium, quickly strode away.
...
Here we go again.
Ash half-grinned to himself as he hurried along the long tunnel, his electric starter a few paces ahead. No matter who his opponent was, these Championship battles came far too sparsely in their mutual opinion. The Pallet trainer turned a corner and was met by two men, clearly identifiable thanks to their large yellow jersey inscribed with the Sinnoh league logo. Ash ground to a halt and allowed both to approach, forcing himself to stand still while they fixed a small microphone to his collar, only half-listening as they began to brief him on the details of the upcoming competition.
It still felt strange, Ash couldn't help reflecting. That he was here, in this position. After a lifetime of dreaming, it was hard to believe some days that he'd spent the last five years living it.
Collect eight badges, win a regional league tournament, battle your way through the Elite Four gauntlet and then finally defeat the reigning Champion to carve your name in the history books forever. Simple enough to understand, yet the difficultly level was unlike any other sporting competition in the world. And yet he had done it! A mere five years ago, the world had watched as he, Ash Ketchum, had defeated Cynthia Shirona in a spectacular six on six battle that even now was still regularly played back on television all around its native region. After disappearing from the world and training in solitude for almost five years prior after his first loss at the Sinnoh league, he'd returned in a blaze of glory and had finally achieved what he'd had set out to do all those years ago, back when he'd first started his journey. And he'd done it all by himself.
"Mr Ketchum."
Well, almost by himself. But still...
"Mr Ketchum."
"Yes?" Ash replied quickly, snapping his gaze up to the annoyed face of the man to his front.
"I was saying, you have five minutes maximum before they call you forward. Are you all set?"
"Yep, I'm ready." Ash quickly adjusted his cap, checked the five pokéballs on his belt again, glanced at Pikachu, then stared back at the wooden doorway to the man's rear, willing it to open as he shuffled from one foot to the other. "I'm ready," he repeated, this time more to himself. The man's expression softened slightly.
"For what's it's worth sir, my money's on you. Everyone out there on T.V. seems to think this guy has you beat, but something about him seems... strange. I know you'll do well."
Ash looked back to the League employee, surprised. "Well, thanks!" he said appreciatively, shaking the man's offered hand. "It's nice knowing there's someone other than my family and friends who think I have a chance."
"Don't let all those guys on T.V. get to you. Most of them never came close to where you are." The official stepped back, then suddenly smiled as his other colleague nodded in agreement. "All of us grunts here at the League are rooting for you. My kid loves you, by the way. He never shuts up. I'm sure you won't let him down."
Ash nodded again, suddenly feeling a little over-whelmed. "Thanks again."
The Pallet trainer watched as the two men disappeared through a side door, then turned back to face the large wooden doorway at the end of the tunnel, now almost glaring at it. There was no doubt about one thing though. No matter who won this, this was going to be the toughest match of his life so far. The rematch he'd been both dreaming and dreading for almost a decade.
Ash clenched a fist. Below, small sparks started to dance across his electric pokémon's cheeks.
"Well Pikachu, are we ready for this?"
Pikachu snapped his gaze up to his trainer, his best friend. "Pikah!"
"Then let's do this!"
...
"You think he can do it?"
Up in the presidential box, high above the spectator's general seating, a tall woman with long blonde hair sat next to a man with a large red afro along with three others, all of them staring with rapt attentiveness at the challenger who had emerged moments ago and was already waiting on one end of the battlefield.
"Well, he did defeat me..." A small smile curled at the corner of the woman's mouth.
"Yeah..." Flint paused, struggling to put his thoughts into words. "But..."
"He'll do it." Behind the pair, an aged woman strolled forward, her cane making a sharp tap as it hit the granite floor. "The boy's too stubborn to allow it to end any other way."
"But he's..."
"Right now, all we can do is put our faith in Ash." Cynthia leaned forward, resting her chin on her knuckles as the commentator's voice suddenly boomed out again across the large stadium. "He's beat the odds before."
...
"And now..."
Ash snapped his gaze up, his serious face disappearing as unexpected excitement suddenly took him over, somehow removing any last traces of nerves. For a moment, Ash forgot even who he was facing as all noise outside suddenly rose to unprecedented levels, as the doorway to his front suddenly creaked. This was his moment. Of all the trainers in the world, destiny had chosen him. This was his life.
"Introducing the pride of Kanto and Sinnoh alike..." the commentator continued, his voice raising as cheers and screams still rose in volume from the packed crowd.
This is it... the Pallet Champion thought fiercely. After weeks of waiting and training, the moment was finally here. And after all, what was there to be nervous of anyway? It was just another pokémon battle.
"Let's give it up for a trainer who truly needs no introduction, a trainer whose legend is surpassed only by his skill in battle..."
"KETCH-UMM, KETCH-UMM, KETCH-UMM," the crowd roared in reply.
Pikachu jumped up from the floor, landing nimbly on his trainer's shoulder with a single bound.
"Sinnoh League's very own Champion-Master, the one, the only... Aaaaaaassh Ketchum!"
The huge wooden doorway to the front finally broke apart, spilling sunlight in. Grin turning into a laugh, Ash strode forward.
...
"Well, he's certainly popular..." the regional professor of Sinnoh, Professor Rowan murmured, his large moustache twitching in amusement as he watched the Sinnoh Champion take his place at the far edge of the battlefield.
Misty rolled her eyes, slightly out of breath from only just reaching her seat in time as she held up her hands, shielding her ears against the continued explosion of cheering.
"Yeah, something he never fails to remind me of..."
"Well, I don't think we can be too critical of Ash enjoying a bit of fame. After all, he has worked very hard to reach his position, and even harder to keep it over the last five years..."
Misty glanced to the seat at the other side of her, flashing another smile in reply to Professor Oak's words. Quite how she'd managed to sit herself in-between the two ageing pokémon experts was beyond her, but the former Cerulean gym leader had a feeling she would regret her seating choice before the match was finished.
"...but still, his opponent is not one to be taken lightly. Even if it wasn't for his past record, his recent performances against the Elite Four speaks volumes on their own," Samuel Oak finished. "I mean, to make it this far without a single loss is no mean feat. A feat Ash certainly wasn't capable of when he became Champion."
Misty bit her lip in order to stop herself from retorting. It was all perfectly true though, she thought as she looked from Ash to his older challenger at the opposite end of the field. Even against the likes of the Elite Four, this challenging trainer had yet to show even the slightest hint of a weakness, crushing his opponents despite some severe type disadvantages.
"No need to worry, Ash has got this one for sure!"
Misty shifted her eyes to the younger blue-haired girl stood up in the row to her front, cheering loudly. Another one of Ash's long-time supporters, Dawn had arrived only yesterday, setting off straight of the back of her recent (third in a row now) Sinnoh Grand Festival victory in order to cheer on her old friend in his battle.
"Well, so long as the kid doesn't let it go to his head. Ashy-boy's got one tough battle ahead of him in this time. Then again," Gary added with a smirk, sat at the other side of his grandfather. "Then again, he has had plenty of practice battling really strong trainers in the past, so he should be fine here."
Misty sighed inwardly as she watched the trainer with the pikachu wave back to the crowd, using both hands. This is where Brock always came in useful, he'd always calm Ash down before a big match... Unfortunately, the once-aspiring pokémon breeder had not been able to join them this time, after finally completing his degree qualifying him as a fully-fledged pokémon doctor, Brock was tied down in the Johto region, as a consultant to the newly opened Johto Battle Frontier. Still, she knew that her old friend would be watching the battle on television, as undoubtedly would the rest of the trainer's multiple friends who hadn't been able to make it in person.
At least he sent his wishes and talked to him yesterday. And I could always use my old mallet if Ash gets too overconfident...
Misty laughed quietly to herself, for a moment lost in memories as she remembered all those past times. How far we've come now... Misty winced slightly as the volume of the crowd suddenly rose even higher around her. The water trainer gazed down at the two trainers below, noticing as Ash began to walk forward, presumably with the intention of shaking hands before the battle.
Oh, what the hell...
"Come on Ash! You can beat him!" Misty yelled, cupping her hands around her mouth.
...
Ash stared forward, eyes taking in every feature of the man to his front, from his polished black shoes, up his designer grey suit trousers, past his spotless dark crimson coat to his hardened face. It had been over ten years, but he still looked exactly the same, the same face that had appeared in his dreams more than once.
Truth be told, Ash could hold no real resentment for the man opposite. He hadn't been the first to ever beat him after all. And if it wasn't for that loss, Ash could say with an almost certainty he wouldn't be in this position today. That defeat had been what had motivated him to become stronger in the first place. Instead, all Ash felt was... confusion. So caught up in that feeling, it was almost a surprise to the young Champion when the two finally stood face to face in the centre of the battlefield with the referee suddenly walking between them. Ash slowly tore his gaze over to him, recognizing him vaguely as the same referee that had oversaw a few of his other title defences.
"Okay, you both understand the rules gentlemen. Up to six pokémon allowed for each trainer, substitutions permitted and no time limit." The referee waited until both participants nodded before continuing. "Okay, now shake and return to your respective boxes." And with that, the man strode away back to his place at the far centre of the field.
Ash turned his gaze back and locked eyes with his opponent once again.
"Tobias."
The man nodded back, his face expressionless. "Good to see you again Ash."
Ash reached forward, grasping Tobias's offered hand with his own, all the while still searching his face as if hoping for some explanation. "It's been a long time."
"Indeed. It has been too long. At the end of our last match, I hoped for the chance one day to face you again and it seems fate has granted my request." Tobias suddenly half-smiled, then turned his gaze away briefly to take in the large crowds. "I'm sure it will be a exhilarating one."
Ash nodded, then gripped his opponent's hand with sudden strength, causing the man opposite to return his attention back to him. He couldn't say why, maybe it was just impulse, or maybe even nerves. Or maybe a small part of him was annoyed by the way Tobias seemed to be standing there, so cool and collected. As if the battle was already decided, as if like all the critics on T.V., Tobias already thought he didn't really stand a chance. Perhaps he did. Tobias had every reason to be confident after all. But Ash was the Champion here, not Tobias. Surely that deserved some respect, surely his opponent should be feeling at least a little of the nerves clawing around Ash's chest right now. But the man opposite looked just as unshakable as he had done ten years ago.
"So you've brought your strongest team with you today then?"
For a moment Tobias almost looked startled at the question, his eyes widened slightly, mouth slightly agape. Then it was gone, replaced with another blank, unreadable expression.
"I guess you'll just have to wait and see Ash..."
"I hope so. I can't wait to battle Darkrai again, I haven't seen it so far," Ash replied, forcing out a friendly tone in an effort to appear just as confident as his opponent seemed to be. But even despite that, he couldn't help but add another comment, this one a little more guarded.
"This isn't going to be the same as last time Tobias. You and I both know that this battle isn't going to be as simple as last time."
Both trainers dropped their hands back to their sides.
"I would expect nothing less, Ash."
Ash returned the answer with another sharp nod. "Then may the better trainer win."
Without waiting for any further reply, Ash suddenly spun on his heel and marched back towards his end of the field, just missing the sudden sneer that shot across his opponent's face.
Above the referee, built high into the side of the stadium above the audience, the large jumbotron screen suddenly blazed to life, switching to its default battle screen. Both Ash and his challenger's face were shown opposite each other on a orange background, with six black boxes running in a semi circle around their portrait. The referee stepped onto his podium, his voice suddenly booming across the entire stadium.
"This will be a full six on six battle between reigning Sinnoh Champion-Master Ash Ketchum and the Elite Four winner, challenger Tobias! Substitutions allowed and only one time-out permitted! Now, we will decide who gets the first move!"
At the referee's words, the crowd roared once again, cameras flashing in every direction as a giant segmented wheel appeared between the two faces on the large screen. The crowd held its breath as one segment of the six lit up, then the next and the next, travelling round in a clockwise motion, starting fast, but eventually slowing to a winking halt on the Champion's half. Eager for the main event to begin, the crowd roared their approval once again, shouting out various cheers.
"KETCH-UMM!"
"Yeah, go Tobias!"
"Ash, we love you!"
Ash watched his opponent carefully, considering hard. Regardless of determination, Ash knew this was one trainer he could not underestimate. He'd done that once before, not this time.
Better start strong.
"Pikachu..."
"Pikah!"
At his trainer's quietly spoken word, the electric mouse leapt forward off his shoulder, a fierce and unwavering look in his black beady eyes as he landed several metres to Ash's front. Pikachu let loose a quiet growl, sparks already starting to crackle across his cheeks.
...
"Wonder what pokémon he's brought to the table this time around," Flint muttered quietly to himself.
"Could be anything," Aaron replied, overhearing him. "We all know which one he favoured the last time he was here. But this time, Tobias has used completely different pokémon, so it's impossible to tell."
It was true. Since his re-emergence earlier this year to finally challenge the Elite Four, Tobias had given no hint of what pokémon he owned outside of what he had used in battle, despite the press's best efforts to find out. And the ones he had used had drawn bitter disappointment from many ardent fans. The once legendary owning trainer had attracted a lot of attention at first, with everyone expecting even more spectacular pokémon this time now he'd finally come back to challenge the Elite Four after his unexplained ten years of absence. But so far, with no explanation given, the challenger had battled his way through the top four trainers (aside from the Champion) in Sinnoh using more or less common pokémon.
However, any questioning the strength of these 'common' pokémon and whether they could hold their own against the best of the best was quickly put to bed. Tobias had achieved a clean streak, a full house. Not one of his new pokémon had yet fallen in battle, while the Elite Four had been utterly destroyed.
Flint suddenly swore loudly, drawing the attention of the entire room as he banged both palms of his hands on the back of the seat to his front. "I don't get this! It makes no sense, none at all. Where has this trainer been for the last ten years? It's never taken a trainer this long after winning the Sinnoh League to challenge us. What game is he playing?"
Cynthia pursed her lips in disapproval to the fire-trainer's outburst. "Flint..."
"I mean, maybe if he'd actually used his Darkrai... I mean, it is legendary after all. But apparently, he doesn't even need it anymore! I mean, to get swept aside by a Tropius..."
"Maybe he's saving Darkrai and Latios for this match," Aaron mused. "I mean, between us we only saw four of his team."
"But still, to..."
"Flint, that's enough." Cynthia interrupted sternly. "Dwelling on past defeat does no trainer any good."
"But..."
"Peace," Bertha interrupted sharply as the fire master now turned to argue with the former Champion. "All we need do is open our eyes. The answer will reveal itself in due course."
...
A flash of white light. Ash clenched his fists, staring at the centre of the bright light, mentally preparing himself for anything, anything at all. Out to his front, Pikachu braced himself, ready to dodge a Dark Pulse, a Luster Purge...
The light faded.
Huh?
Ash raised his eyes to look at the trainer behind the pokémon, searching for an explanation. At the other end of the field, Tobias just smiled back.
A Feraligatr?
The fully-evolved Johto starter stretched its limbs lazily, its head twisting around as it took in its surroundings before noticing the trainer at the other side of the battlefield. Ash watched in stunned disbelief as the water type stared back at him with wide blinking eyes.
...
"A water type?"
Misty stared down at the field in confusion, although a small part of her had been expecting this. Tobias had played the same game for the last four battles after all.
"Indeed. It does beg the question as to what the challenger's plan actually is," Professor Oak replied dryly, his brow furrowing in concern. "Pikachu is very powerful, Tobias should know this. But if it's as strong as his other pokémon, then it's likely to provide a tough battle, even with a disadvantage..."
"Yeah, but this is Ash's pikachu for crying out loud!" Gary exclaimed from next to his grandfather. "I meant, the mouse took down a freaking Garchomp, it's not as if Pikachu's not faced tougher odds."
"All the more reason for Ash to be extra cautious. Whatever his challenger might be, he would not have made it this far if he were the foolish type."
...
Fine.
If Tobias wanted to play this game with him too, then he'd pay the price.
There's no way I'm gonna believe you haven't brought Darkrai or Latios, or even both to this battle. You'd be stupid not to. Ash had of course intently watched each of the challenger's Elite Four matches, and despite the pokémon he'd seen used there, he refused to believe Tobias wouldn't bring his rare legendaries out eventually for this battle.
"Let the battle begin!" the referee roared through his microphone.
A set of brown eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Let's go.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt, let's go!"
Pikachu rose up onto his hind legs, throwing his small paws into the air, before bringing them down tight to his body, generating and firing a huge bolt of electricity into the air in a giant arc to come crashing down on his opponent. Ash watched in jubilation, then disbelief as the pokémon opposite took the attack without flinching. Tobias's Feraligatr continued to stare back at him with wide eyes, even as electricity crackled all over its body.
"Pika?"
"Try a Volt Tackle!"
"Pikah!" Shaking off his confused look, Pikachu took off, quickly gathering speed as he closed his opponent down, yellow lightning rapidly building around his entire body.
Feraligatr remained unmoved as the electric pokémon crashed into it at full speed, releasing all his power in a blinding flash. Pikachu staggered backwards from the impact, wincing slightly from the sudden recoil damage as he slowly raised his eyes to his unwavering opponent.
Ash hesitated, a hint of doubt and dawning realisation of what was happening beginning to burrow beneath his skin. At the far end of the stadium, Tobias raised one hand, making his first movement since the start of the battle.
"Feraligatr, Dragon Claw."
Ash gasped in shock as the Big Jaw pokémon suddenly leapt forward and slashed at the electric type, its arm turning to a bluish blur as it struck Pikachu with a light green claw, sending the mouse pokémon spiralling backwards through the air.
"Pikachu!"
The stadium fell silent for a moment as all watched the electric type slowly climb back to his feet after landing hard to his trainer's front.
"Pika... pi." Pikachu replied in a rough voice, wincing slightly.
Ash bared his teeth, sudden anger flowing through his veins. He'd seen this before, refused to believe it could happen to him, but it seemed it was happening anyway.
This was exactly what he'd seen occur in each of his challenger's battles against the Elite Four before him. Aaron with a Weavile, Bertha with a Flareon, Flint with a Tropius and Lucian with a Machamp. The four pokémon used had fought almost like robots, dealing huge amounts of damage while appearing to take none themselves, taking out opponent after opponent until there was none left to fight. All four with a type disadvantage, yet to the amazement of everyone, Tobias had used each of them to sweep his opposing Elite Four member's entire team. There had been many explanations offered by excited fans, some claimed it was due to Tobias finding some new undiscovered training method, others had suggested it was all faked, that Tobias had somehow bought out the Elite Four in exchange for an easy victory. One high-ranking scientist had even suggested genetic mutation was the answer during a television interview following the matches.
But whatever the reason, Ash thought, it was clear the same thing was now happening again, this time to him.
Tobias was going to destroy him as well, defeat his powerful team with a single pokémon, this time it seemed with a Feraligatr. It wasn't a trick, this was real. And it didn't even seem fair, like it was even a real battle.
Forget Darkrai and Latios, it seemed he wouldn't even get to face them this time.
"No." Ash growled out loud. It wouldn't end this way. He wouldn't let it. He just had to come up with another plan, and fast.
"Pikachu, you good to carry on?"
Pikachu rose to his full height, sparks flying wildly from his cheeks again as he mirrored his trainer's determination.
"Pikachu!"
"Great buddy. Right, I don't know how strong that Feraligatr is, but I know it can't match your speed. Use Quick Attack to circle it!"
"Pika pika!"
"And use Iron Tail to hit it from all directions!"
Feraligatr's body twitched left and right as the electric mouse struck it from all angles, almost too fast to see. Ash stared again at his human opponent, but it seemed Tobias had now opted for silence once more, simply watching the continued assault on his pokémon with a blank expression. Ash frowned, then dismissed him from thought as he prepared to call out his next command, only to stop and stare with sudden surprise as Tobias's Feraligatr suddenly exploded into sparks all on its own.
"And it looks like Pikachu's Static ability has kicked in at just the right time for Champion Ketchum, this could be the break he and Pikachu need!" the commentator shouted, the statement sending a few cheers up from the crowd, who had been near enough silent up to this point.
"Yes Pikachu!" Ash shouted, elated that something was finally going right. "Now, let's see it take this! Finish it with Thunder!"
Pikachu leapt into the air in front of Feraligatr, fully prepared to bring his full electrical power to bear on the water type, before crying out in pain as sparks suddenly coated his own body as well, causing him to fall back to the ground heavily.
"Huh?" Ash exclaimed in confusion as the electric pokémon hit the floor again, convulsing in his own set of sparks, identical to his water-type opponent.
Pikachu's paralysed as well? How?
Ash snapped his gaze up to his challenger, but Tobias had not uttered a word. Indeed, for the first time so far, even his opponent had a look of shock as everyone stared at the two pokémon on field.
"Pikachu! You gotta get up and try Thunder again!" Ash shouted out desperately. Whatever was going on in front of him, he couldn't allow his friend to remain in such a vulnerable position in front of his enemy.
"Water Pulse now!"
Ash's eyes widened as Tobias suddenly ordered his own move loudly. The Pallet trainer shouted out in horror, watching his starter as he got blown back across the battlefield for a second time, this time in a spray of water, before hitting the floor hard and coming to a rest a few metres to his front.
"Pikachu, are you okay? Speak to me buddy!"
"Piiii..."
Pikachu stirred feebly, straining as he attempted to push himself back up off the dusty floor, only to cry out in pain as another wave of sparks engulfed him. Ash took another glance at the pokémon opposite, then instantly came to a decision.
"Pikachu, return now!" Ash shouted. Pikachu slowly twisted round to face him, his eyes defiant.
"Pika..."
"Do it!" Ash ordered sternly, pointing at his feet for extra empathize. "You'll get your chance later, don't worry."
Whatever just had happened in front of him, Ash wouldn't allow his first pokémon to be defeated so easily. Ash watched as his Pikachu ran back to him, then reached down to his belt for another choice before abruptly freezing in place, stunned as he stared across field. In the opposite trainer box, Tobias suddenly made a quick movement with one hand. Feraligatr burst into sudden red light, then zapped back to its trainer.
"Well, look at that folks!" the commentator roared. "Strange as it might seem, this is the first time we've actually seen Tobias switch his pokémon mid-battle! Clearly he was concerned about the damage caused by Pikachu's Static. So what will his next choice be?"
Ash stared forward on tenterhooks as the man opposite threw his next pokéball forward, his face blank once again. What would it be this time? One of the pokémon he'd used against the Elites? Or perhaps...
Ash balled both his hands into tight fists as Tobias's next pokémon flashed into life. Around him, the crowd gasped before exploding with excitement. Cameras flashed in all directions, the commentator began shouting wildly, struggling to make himself heard over the screaming audience. Up in the stands, both Professors exclaimed loudly, Gary swore furiously, Misty just sat in stunned silence.
Ash stared forward, lips forming into one hard line.
I knew it.
Darkrai's back.
