Sorry Folks. Had updated this chapter yesterday but took it down immediately after finding some coding problem. It's fixed now and ready to go!
Sorry for the trouble.
''Not much of a Queen as they say-''
Lucy's head popped up, and she withdrew her hand from her Skitty's chin she was brushing so lovingly. Clearly irritated, she turned around to meet challenger. Footsteps echoed through the chamber as the trainer made his appearance. Black hues narrowed upon Lucy's gutsy challenger.
''Excuse me?'' she sniffed, taking on a testy tone.
''Oh, where are my manners?'' Ash's lips creased into a smirk, as he bowed down in courtesy, addressing himself. ''The name's AK, and I am here to officially challenge you.''
''You don't need to bow down. You are not one of my assistants,'' Lucy demurred, embarrassed slightly at the attention.
''Then…I'll not feel so guilty for thrashing you,'' Ash cocked his head, signature smirk dancing on his lips.
''You have a big mouth, Bozo. Let's see how that serves you in the battle,'' Lucy jabbed. She wasn't liking his attitude at all!
''Don't say I wasn't friendly…''
''Just let me go fetch a referee, and then we'll get over with this in no time.'' With that, her lips remained sealed.
''And then what? You gonna go, play with your squinty eyed friends again?''
XXX
''No luck finding your pals? That's interesting, a Queen without her subjects.'' Ash quipped, pretending to look around.
''We don't need a referee anyways. We'll know when our Pokémon are in no condition to battle. We'll engage in a 3-on-3 battle. Only you are allowed to make substitutions.''
''Works for me,'' the trainer abided, fishing out a comic book from the pocket inside of his coat.
''Just annoying~''
''Go ahead,'' he prodded, not even looking at Lucy, whereas too busy searching for the page he left off from. ''Choose your Pokémon. I'm in no hurry'' Pikachu leaped off Ash's shoulder, opting to stand by his trainer during the fray.
Jerk!
''Gyarados, I choose you!''
Rather than throwing a PokéBall, Lucy simply snapped her fingers.
Ash quirked a brow, raised at the absence of a Pokéball. Soon, the pool below began to tremble, forcing Ash to reinforce his footing as he watched the leviathan surface. Gyarados' long, segmented body burst out of the pool with a terrifying roar. Looking vicious as ever, the pokemon set its eyes on Ash
Hmm, her first pick is Gyarados right off the bat, huh? The battlefield is the same as last time, a pool between a rocky terrain. Let me think who can I choose for this one. It'll be easily over with Pikachu, but this isn't the type of challenge I need a type advantage for. So Pikachu's a no. At the moment, I have Serperior, Heracross, Typhlosion, Donphan and Noivern with me. Oh why bother? I'm just gonna pick one and show this hottie who's the Queen! Wait…that didn't come out right!
''Alright, I choose you!''
Knowing fully well that Pikachu wouldn't be participating, Ash made his first choice. A Pokeball was tossed forward, revealing the hyperactive bat that circled around the battlefield, a booming roar left as the pokemon materialized.
''VERN!'' it vociferated, a cry so loud in decibels that almost made Lucy cover her ears.
''I have never seen a Pokémon like that before,'' the Frontier Brain remarked, taking her hands off her ears.
''It's a Kalosian. A Dragon Type.'' Ash clarified. ''Hey, that's breaking. Dragon vs Dragon! Oh wait-talk about misfortune.''
''Hide in the water,'' Lucy threw an arm forward, calling it first. Gyarados didn't relent, diving head-first into the water, immediately disappearing underwater.
''Don't expect us to count till 10. Trace it out with Supersonic!'' Ash raised a fist, grinning.
The Sound Wave Pokémon shrieked out a progression of sound waves that boffed the water, slowly detecting any movement in the water. Ripples forming just as the sound waves touched the water.
''It's no use. No move of your Pokémon will ever be able to reach Gyarados.'' Lucy smirked, teasing to see what Ash had up his sleeve. She didn't know what was he up to, but whatever it was, it was certainly not gonna work. And she was sure of it.
''Interesting theory. Let's put it into test. Noivern, Boomburst!'' Chuckling, Ash dug his hands in his coat pocket, his left hand still busy holding the comic.
Making its mark, the insides of Noivern's ears glowed as a dark blue static danced around its ears. Followed by unleashing of a torrent of sound waves, it was a hundred percent guaranteed hit. The beam of sound waves plummeted through the water. Several large waves were knocked out of the pool, splashing the perimeter, and the competitors, to boot. Both took a few steps back from getting splashed on.
On her side of the field, Lucy's eyes narrowed. She had spoken too soon.
"Ah, Gyarados!" She cried in worry, waiting for the inevitable until it surfaced. Gyarados floated on the pool surface, swirls in its eyes.
''1 down. 2 to go!'' Ash boasted as he snapped his fingers.
''But how?'' her lips quivered. Confusion glinted in her dumbfounded eyes.
''You never caught upon that, did you?'' Ash caught up on her dilemma and began to elucidate. ''Well, let me clear it out for you. Sound waves can travel through any substance, including water. In fact, it is twelve times faster on water than it is in air. It travels faster than electricity and hence does double the damage. Sound travels in the form of waves resulting from vibrations emanating from objects. If, by chance, an object is struck or moves, it creates a vibration. If you wanna keep tor-to-toe with me, you can't afford to make rookie mistakes.''
''Return, Gyarados,'' Lucy stretched out an arm, to recall Gyarados into the Pokéball she hadn't used before. She muttered words of apology against the Pokéball. ''I'm sorry. This one's on me.''
She turned her attention in the opposite direction, where Ash was standing, with Pikachu by his side, and Noivern in the front. She began to leer the dark trainer, trying to figure out the mystery behind him.
He didn't give me a chance at all. He isn't a trainer of any ordinary level. Not even Gym Leaders can pull off the way he did. It's almost impossible to knock out a powerful Pokémon like Gyarados in just 3 seconds. He must be the competence of an Elite, I'm sure. I mustn't be so haste. So far, I got his strategy. He gets on my nerves and distracts me from the battle. One wrong move and it will all go south.
"I don't know if you planned that out, but well played. Just don't assume mind games will work after this." Lucy grunted. Another sphere was tossed, calling on ''Seviper, I choose you.''
''Viper!'' it hissed, slapping it's pointed tail against the ground. Tilting his head, and slamming his comic book shut, he noted.
So, she's going with Seviper this time. Alright, let's see. She may have chosen Seviper for a reason. I can continue with Noivern and be over with this easily. But where's the fun in that? The pool will have to be at least 16ft deep to have a Gyarados in it. So, using Dig would be outta question. Also, Noivern is a Flying Type too. If I go with a Pokémon that's faster on land, Seviper's in for it.
''Noivern, return!'' Making up his mind, he recalled the Sound Wave Pokémon to its PokéBall, taking a moment to stare at the device. ''You were great.''
''Alright, I choose you!'' Another Pokéball was thrown forward in exchange, this time revealing to be Serperior.
''Serperior!'' the Grass Type fizzled, upon making contact with the terrain, while glaring daggers at the Poison Type. In return, Seviper was forking its tongue in and out, anticipating to settle the score right there, right now.
''That's a unique Pokémon. What's it called?'' The Serpentine Queen inquired.
''Serperior, a Grass starter from the Unova Region.'' Ash affirmed.
''Makes me wanna raise one,'' a sparkle appeared in Lucy's eye which didn't go unnoticed by Ash.
''Which you could only do after this battle,'' Ash combated.
Yeah right! Like you would get a rare Pokémon from Unova in the Pokémart nearby.
''Then it won't be long. I can see myself on a flight to Unova,'' Lucy tiltered, before initiating the command. ''Seviper, Flamethrower!''
She's some Queen, alright. A Queen that can't even trash-talk!
Red-hot flames shot across the battlefield, desperate to engulf Serperior in their wrath.
'Leaf Blade!''
Momentarily, Serperior's body was swiftly held to the floor, and with a brutal swing of its glowing tail, it dispersed the hot incoming flames into a little more than embers. Although it managed to colour Lucy impressed, Serperior brushed of its tough hide, quelling any heat that still clung.
Lucy grimaced. "It didn't do a thing."
''Seviper, Poison Tail!''
"Viper," Seviper hissed, swinging his tail in a faint purple whiplash. It coiled it's body two steps behind and lunged at its distant cousin in a sudden attack.
''Leaf Blade!''
The grass type didn't waste a moment, springing off the ground with its slime body to close the distance between itself and Seviper. It's tail taking the shape of a shining scythe of natural energy. "Serp..ERIOR!" It cried out, slicing Seviper across the face with its tail, overcoming the poison type with remarkable speed before its own tail could reach Serperior.
My my. Its ten times faster than Seviper. Gotta do something about that speed.
''Seviper, Scary Face!''
Seeing that Serperior was still in a close range, Seviper loured right into the opposition's eye. Serperior began to cower as it visualized a large sea monster standing in front of her; the viper's gaze is fixed on Serperior, a dark tongue flitting into the air every few seconds, tasting the fear, the cologne, the sweat.
''Poison Tail!''
The familiar crash of an armored tail smashing into her face sent Serperior reeling, skidding across the arena floor.
''So you have finally managed to get a hit, huh?'' the smirk reappeared on Ash's face.
''Seviper, use Crunch!''
The viper didn't have to be told twice. With Serperior out in the open, the beast lurch forward, ready to bite down upon the small gator. With all things considered, that would be very satisfying payback.
''Wrap around its neck,'' Ash countered. He had figured out Lucy would make Seviper go for an all-round attack.
Just as Seviper's fangs were about to be buried into Serperior's neck, it's head found itself being wrapped between Serperior's tail, air desperately trying to escape it's lungs. '
''Seviper, NO!'' Lucy rushed to call out.
''Giga Drain,'' Ash commanded, with a soft shrug of his shoulder.
Seviper's melee was sapped away, a sudden, parasitic essence attacking his every nerve. His vigor, now likely running on adrenaline, slowly sapped away amidst the emerald glow.
He tried to break free from Serperior, backing up to flee the nasty move.
''Finish it with Leaf Storm!''
Ash smirked at the prospect at taking a page out of his rival's book. The grass type leaned forward, unleashing her full, unbridled fury from the tail that it boasted. Seviper pushed to fire his blast, but the maelstrom of leaves swarming his body left him roaring. Before he could hit the ground, he disappeared in a flash of crimson.
Lucy huffed, grasping the PokéBall tightly in her hand. ''Return, Seviper!''
''Even if a Snake is not poisonous, it should appear venomous,'' Ash quoted.
My mind is about to explode. How can I take him down? He seems to be an expert in mind games. He implements strategies in the blink of an eye. Look at him go. His eyes are already scanning the battlefield for his next move. Most trainers who take the Frontier Brain Challenge don't even make it through the Battle Factory and here is a trainer with an unofficial challenge.
She then began to closely study Ash's expressions. His eyes were chilling, giving off a cold stare in return.
Anyway I won't cower out. I gotta do something. I really wonder what he must be thinking right now. He must have already come up with hundred strategies by now to whom I am nothing but a victim. He must be planning something sagacious.
''Hey! Is this gonna be long? I really wanna go try out some ramen!''
An eccentric desire came from the other end of the battlefield. Even the Queen couldn't help but loose her footing to gawk in the signature anime style.
''Boy... This man is so weird…'' She exasperated, her head hanging in shame.
''What's up with her?'' Ash mumbled in puzzlement. To his side, Pikachu just sighed heavily. So much had changed, yet it looked like some of the old childish Ash was still there in him.
''Milotic, I choose you!''
Appearing in a flash of light, Milotic quickly took to her surroundings, reprehending it was time for battle.
''You are done here, Serperior. Take a good rest.'' Returning the snide Grass Type, the dark trainer scrutinized Lucy's choice for a minute.
So she got me, huh? She must've picked upon my pattern that I have been relying on my Pokémon's Speed all this time. Milotic won't be swift on land but it's quite nimble on water and Serperior can't match it for that. But if I can't play the Speed Card, then I have just the Pokémon for this one. It's time to avenge.
With that in mind, the stoic trainer brought forward a third Pokéball that contained his third choice for the battle.
''I choose you!''
Upon being released, Donphan took the traditional defensive stance of its species.
A Donphan!? What does he think he's doing? Milotic will easily…wait! He did choose Serperior against a Poison Type like Seviper. Maybe he's onto something.
Donphan was much more compact than its previous two comrades. The Elephantine pachyderm trumpeted, warning Milotic that it would not be as easy to defeat.
''Hydro Pump!''
Opening its own smaller mouth compared to Gyarados, the water type let out a terribly powerful gush of water, shooting right into Donphan. The fury of Hydro Pump crashed into the Ground Type, pulverizing its obstacle. However, it stood firm, digging its paws into the floor, pacing the braceful impact.
They took it!
''How is it possible? It didn't even budge!'' Lucy barked, a brow raised at the dark trainer. An unnerving chuckle left Ash's lips.
''Well, of course, it didn't. I have been training my Donphan in aquatic habitats for nearly a decade that it can withstand three Hydro Pumps at a time, even without raising its Defense.''
''Twister!''
A beautiful cry from the terrifying creature summoned a small tornado, approaching the opponent.
''Rollout!'' Ash decided, hoping it would allow Donphan to endure the attack and perhaps free him from it. And, lo and behold, it did. Spinning within the Twister attack, Donphan was freed earlier than expected, flying freely in the air briefly.
It's unstoppable!
''Twister once again!''
Not seemed so intimidated by Donphan's resilience, it writhed its tail as if it was some propeller, charging up a switling vortex of water beneath, frizzling out the dragon type attack.
''Go for it!'' Ash threw a hand forward. Admittedly this sounded pretty difficult.
While that move was clever enough, once the pachyderm got to rolling around, Lucy quickly turned the tables. At least she thought she did. On cue, the tight-tucked ground type began spinning over the settled yet loose earth, headed straight for Milotic.
''Stop and use Disarming Voice!''
Ash sighed, while Milotic opened her mouth. The heart-shaped soundwaves continued to rattle around the area, breaking stones off. Pikachu growled angrily, though Ash looked unfettered, hands still in his pockets. The collision was strong enough to slow down Donphan in midair, as it reverted back to the original form, puzzled.
''Now Hydro Pump!''
Milotic's maw once again opened wide, for once not letting out a simple chant, but a torrential jet of water that betrayed expectations, to say the least. The Armor pokemon gasped after the attack, completely taken off guard, and was sailed into one of the outcrops of the rocks. Some of the debris flew in all directions as Donphan was shattered into the wall.
Ash paused, squinting as he made sure that Donphan wasn't injured beyond typical battle bruises. The smoke cleared out in no time, and the question ''Is it Over?'' was answered. Still on the verge of breaking down, Donphan looked strong and sturdier. Bruised but unphased.
Being hit with three damaging moves and it still stands. Impossible!
''In the water!'' Lucy announced. Milotic was more than eager to comply. She didn't lose a second to plunge itself into the water, where it could rejuvenate.
''In the water? Really? Haven't you learned anything in the last…'' Ash slumped down his shoulders, and whisked his sleeve to take a good look at his wrist watch. ''4 minutes?''
''As long as Milotic's in the water, it's safe.'' Lucy assumed, but then her confidence faltered down to confusion. ''It's safe, isn't it?''
''I wanna know was well. Donphan, use Toxic in the water!''
''Use what?'' Lucy gasped.
It was a gamble, and he'd only theorized about it working before after earlier experiences with steel types and poison types, but now he had to see if it really would work. This wasn't how he really wanted to test it… but what better way to get a real result than a real battle?
Donphan trudged over to the water edge, and sprayed goos of poisonous blobs in the water. As soon as the Toxic attack splashed down on it… nothing happened. To Lucy, the plan seemed like a failure, almost when the color of the water transitioned into dark purple.
Frustration was evident in Milotic's demeanor. "Mil!" It spat again. "Lotic! Lotic lotic lotic! Lotic!" Its pitch and volume increased until it was drenched over in waves of the poisonous liquid.
Milotic had been poisoned. But this was what Lucy actually wanted. She always had a secret weapon in case of situations like these.
''Façade!''
A faint smile crossed Ash's lips.
''Oh, you wanna end this? Say no more, maám, Thunder Fang into a Rollout!''
Still brimming with confidence, and with pretty much stamina still left in Donphan, it's tusks crackled with electricity before tucking its body in itself. The tusked titan began collecting stones and gravel as it rolled towards Milotic. The sparks began to take over the Armor Pokémon's body as Donphan was now a golden sphere, with sparks rumbling and rattling round it.
''That's right, we call it ''The Rolling Thunder!'' Ash roared, pulling a fist back and thrusting it forward. Surprisingly, it boosted Donphan's enthusiasm as well as its speed.
The glittering, regenerating Milotic took Donphan's blow, such that it's Façade failed to match against the combo. Stunning electricity dancing along its slimy skin that threatened to make it numb. The dual impact was enough to knock the Tender Pokémon out. Without any energy left, the Pokémon lifelessly splashed forward in the water.
Donphan was returned in a red flash of light, the capsule then pocketed by the dark trainer. Likewise, Milotic was returned as well in a fashion Lucy hadn't expected to. Momentarily silent, Lucy kept gazing at the ball, mentally accusing herself of all that went wrong. Deflated and humiliated was all Lucy could manage.
With nothing left to do, Ash just directed himself back and began walking, Pikachu following suit. All but one left to do. He stopped after a second, but didn't turn around. But he did have something to say to her. And finally his lips began to move.
''Funny thing about snake and snake charmers. The snake's fate always lies in the snake charmer's hands.''
Thank you for the suggestion Slashkilleer190.
Next three chapters I am gonna update will be-
Taming a Ninja (Elite Four Koga) a 5-on-5 battle.
Not Hot Enough (Gym Leader Blaine) a 3 on 3 battle
Confrontation of Assunta! a full 6 on 6 battle
