Chapter 8: Knocked it Off


Ash and Ibuki reached a wooden bridge covered on some moss and drenched in the river's water. Ash, coming off his victory against veteran Street Fighter Ryu and his explosive outburst on Team Rocket's Jessie, was still trying to convince Pikachu that he was normal. Ibuki was reluctant to battle her next opponent since she had respect for "cool boys." Well, Ash was 5-0 in his last six matches. "This should work," Ibuki studied the bridge. The bridge was wide enough to fit several people wide. "Oh, yeah! Perfect for a little modification!" What modification was she talking about?

"What do you mean a little modification?" Ash questioned. Ibuki shot a look to the little warrior with a grin.

"We're gonna be out of bounds." What? Clarify. "We'll have a match on the bridge. We won't use any super attacks so that we don't try to injure ourselves. A round is over when one of us touches anything else than the planks or each other, so stepping off the bridge isn't a good thing." In a sense, Ash and Ibuki were only fighting on the bridge and if either would fall in the river or step on the dirt, they're out of the round and scored to the opponent.

"Sounds like fun. What do we play to?"

"Well, I've been watching plenty of baseball, especially the World Series last fall between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies. I think a best of seven rounds is good enough." Whoever wins four rounds wins the match.

"Okay. Don't expect me to fall that easily." Both got on opposite sides, ready to battle. Before they got started, men in black...no, not the same alien-patrolling Men in Black, just some men in black jumpsuits surrounding the bridge and planting all sorts of gadgets like satellite dishes, cameras and anything else that seemed unnecessary. Watching the group of men set up for this contest, Ash and Ibuki were puzzled.

"So that's how this battle will break down," another woman voiced. The two turned to view a grown buxom redhead wearing a business tuxedo with the blouse partially buttoned. She also wore some cool shades. "Ibuki, what do you think this is, Virtua Fighter? Soul Blade?" Must be other fighting games.

"Hey, ease off, Viper!" Ibuki acted as if offended. "I don't want to hurt this kid more than need be and that's why this contest should be quick and easy on both of us." Viper scoffed Ibuki's protest.

"Oh, ease up yourself. I'm here with my employees to act as scorekeeper, replay operator and referee. Since this is out-of-bounds rules, we'll only stop the match upon the crossing of the boundary." Both sides agreed, ready to throw down...or that was the presumption.

"Hey, Ash!" Ibuki called out. "Since we're gonna be hitting the water a few times, why not we try without the use of our shirts? You know, keep them dry?" What's with the request out of nowhere? She wanted to make sure Ash's clothes were dry? To make her point, Ibuki ripped her outfit from her body, either forgetting that there were a bunch of men and Ash who could take her act the wrong way or not caring at all. The removal revealed not her lady lumps but a tie-dye bikini and a pink thong. Her hairpiece was still on but wow, she's got a great body. Even Viper's men were having a difficult time focusing on the contest coming. Ash was barely phased with the new swimwear from the ninja.

"What is this, a Street Fight or a strip show?" Ash sighed. Surrendering to her request, Ash peeled off his sweat-tee and t-shirt...and he looked like he'd been in great shape. Check out his abs! Even Ibuki had her eyes glued on his mid-section. A flirty whistle from her had Pikachu wondering what he did to earn that piece of respect.

"Cameras, set," one man called to Viper who finished placing the last camcorder on a tripod.

"Scoreboard, set," another man announced. The scoreboard read "0:0." There was a piece of white cardboard with "ASH:IBUKI" over the scoreboard.

"Do we have the referee set?" Viper wondered. That's when a familiar loser made his arrival...wearing a zebra-striped t-shirt.

"I still can't believe you'd bet on the kid getting another perfect win," growled Dan. Ho, it's that Saki-... Who again? "Stop that! How many times do I have to remind you? It's Saikyō-Ryū!" Oh, yeah!

"Danny, don't go squirreling off at the fourth wall." Dan whined that he was being scolded like a child. Poor dude can't catch a break. "Now, remember that this isn't a knockout but force-out contest. Any contact off the bridge is an out and a score. The first to four wins and I want you to be fair." Viper rose her arm to reveal a remote control, stoking Dan's fears. Was the t-shirt rigged? Everyone's set with Ash and Ibuki ready to fight.

"Okay, Ash is ready..." Dan murmured...to Ibuki...who heard him.

"Hey, hey!" she snapped at him. "Ash is over there! What do I look like, an Ashley!" Ashley, good one.

"Oops. My bad. Ibuki is ready. And so is Ash." Time to battle. Dan rose his arm, ready to send the battle on the way. Then he swung down. "FIGHT!" Both fighters began throwing in the middle. Ibuki was showing off her speed as she spun around the young fighter. That's when she snatched Ash's head and twisted it, flipping him off balance. She quickly followed it up with a kick to his back. Ash was hurled across the bridge, skipped once and fell into the water. Dan made the call. "Out! Point, Ibuki!" All agreed to the call as Ash climbed out of the drink. The scoreboard was now reading "0:1" Ibuki was up one-to-nothing.

'Ibuki's fast,' Ash minded. That was rather fast of Ibuki to finish the first round. Both combatants were set for the second round as Dan did the same motion.

"Second round...FIGHT!" Wary of Ibuki's ninja speed, Ash stood back and waited for Ibuki to come. Well, she came...passed him and was ready to toss him back down the river. Ash felt the pressure and flung elbows backwards. Ibuki dodged each swing, scoring a leg sweep and tripping Ash as Pikachu watched in humor. That's your master getting his butt drenched. Well, Ash was fighting a girl so there's a reason the electric mouse Pokémon was in stitches. Before Ash hit the wooded planks, Ibuki flipped over him, grabbed him and flung him onto the dirt. Once again, Ash was off the bridge. "Out! Point, Ibuki!" Ibuki cheered and threw her arm up in celebration. Ash was a different story and with the scoreboard now reading "0:2," Ketchum was in need to Ketchup. If anyone is disgusted with that joke, sorry.

"Come on, Ash!" Ibuki teased. "If you were able to beat Bison without breaking a sweat, how come you're having a hard time dealing with me?" Well, Bison was using his psycho energy a lot, but Ibuki was immersed in the speed of the ninja. A clear advantage.

"It's not over yet," Ash growled. No, but if Ibuki knocks Ash out a couple more times, the fat lady's hitting the high notes. Round three was about to begin. Fighters were set.

"Round three," Dan announced. "Fight!" Ibuki charged in but Ash stood like a statue. Dan thought Ash had gone deaf. "Hey! I said fight!" No movement yet. Ibuki was there in his face. That's about as close as she could get. Ash nailed Ibuki in the chops with a flying knee. Ibuki flew clear of the bridge and into the drink. SPLASH! Ibuki was swimming. Dan was stunned with that quick round. "O-Out! P-Point, Ash!" The scoreboard now read "1:2." Ash was still behind but it did stop Ibuki's streak. Viper looked on in awe at the young trainer.

"Perhaps he could be a likely husband for Lauren," she swooned. The scorekeeper had a befuddled look as he gazed back at Viper.

"Now's not the time to reflect on your daughter," he warned. Viper had a kid? Everything okay on Ibuki's end, Round Four was the subject.

"Round four, begin!" Dan called. Both charged in and Ash was the first to swing a punch but Ibuki ducked the shot...that was still winding. Ash faked out Ibuki.

"Gotcha!" Ash teased before throwing which Ibuki blocked and tossed...only to have Ash kick her in the ribs. That kick sent Ibuki back in the swim of things. This match was even.

"Out! Point, Ash!" The scoreboard now read "2:2" to signify the tie. After Ibuki checked out, the Best-of-Seven was about to be a Best-of-Three. Viper reviewed the two rounds Ash won compared to Ibuki's two wins.

"Is there a problem, boss?" the scorekeeper wondered.

"Well, the first two rounds were Ibuki's out of her ninja abilities," she replayed. "Yet, Ash won the last two in swift fashion, taking less than ten seconds." Looking back, Ash stopped the third round in 8.77 seconds and the fourth in 6.55. "Perhaps Ash is injured and wanted to finish this match quickly." If Ash was injured, he wasn't showing it. Perhaps it was all in Viper's head.

"Time for Five!" Dan prepped. "FIGHT!" Ibuki leaped to the air, ready to lay the feet onto Ash. On the downfall, Ash rolled under Ibuki. After Ibuki landed, Ash was on the attack. That's when this fight got a little close for comfort. Ash palmed Ibuki to block...only to unintentionally grab her breast. Ibuki was beside herself with how brazen Ash was. Ash was dumbfounded that he was clasping his opponent in the boob. Dan was excited. Come on, Dan's a guy! Almost immediately, both fighters backed away and Ibuki covered the breast. Wow, can an apology work after that misstep?

"Sorry..." Ash sighed while itching his head. Ibuki chuckled. Maybe she was surprised with how offensive Ash can attack.

"No biggie," she shrugged off. Back to the fight, Ash was up to his unorthodox moves as he did his Hitmontop expression again, spinning on his head and kicking away. Ibuki steered clear before she attempted to sweep him with a leg kick. Ash flung his legs out, flipping free from her leg's path. Same motion, Ash performed an ax kick but Ibuki blocked it. Ash sprung back and landed to continue.

"OUT!" Dan called and pointed to his feet. "Point, Ibuki!"

"What?" Ash screeched in disbelief. He thought he was called out prematurely. He looked down to make sure both feet were inbound, or on the bridge. His left foot was on the wood. His right foot...on the dirt. Oops... So far, it's been a clean match-up between Ash and Ibuki but Ash was down three to two. It was match point for Ibuki but not if Ash had anything to do with it.

"Match point! FIGHT!" Both charged in for round six in this exhausting match. Ash did a jumping leg kick but Ibuki leaped over the strike and was behind Ash again.

"It's over!" she cheered...a bit prematurely. She grabbed Ash...only it vanished and Ash quickly whipped her around the neck, tossing her to the side. SPLASH! Ibuki hit the water again. At least there was no harm to the bones but she was drenched.

"Out! Point, Ash!" Ibuki was wet but fine but bewildered at what happened. Viper couldn't believe Ash had that underhanded technique. The scorekeeper looked at the replay on the monitor to understand what occurred. Slowed down, the replay showed that when Ash missed his attack, he landed on his feet, only his real body bent to a knee after quickly creating the Double Team figure who stood in dumbfounded glare. After Ibuki attacked the fake, Ash sealed the round with that arm grab and throw.

"Ash is a lot slicker than Ibuki realized," he theorized. "If this is why he's undefeated so far, he's got potential for greatness." Perhaps...

"He defeated Dan and Bison without breaking a sweat," Viper remembered. "Let's see if this last round proves he's worth this trip against the warriors." Someone should ask him about his battle with Ryu. The scoreboard read "3:3." The final round was upon the two.

"This round will decide the winner," Dan announced. "FIGHT!" The last time the two raced in, and already the fists were flying. This was for keeps. Ash had to know that with this win, he would practically overcome his five-battle losing streak. A good minute passed as each traded blows and blocks. Suddenly, Ash was close to the edge. Ibuki closed in, feeling confident that she'd take Ash down for good. She swung a front kick but Ash spun under it and grabbed Ibuki around her chest. The ninja's momentum was too much and both fell over the side. SPLASH! Dan went over to see who was wet and dry. Both were wet as they surfaced...but now wondered who won? Both left the bridge simultaneously from Dan's view. Even he couldn't make the call if his life depended on Viper's punishment dealer, whatever it was. "Review! Review!" The men dismantled their equipment and handed over to the monitor at Viper's location. Pikachu, seeing how Ash was able to keep that anger bottled, finally came over to his shoulder.

"Told ya!" he sneered. Yep, he did. Viper and her men viewed the battle up to the last round. Meantime, Dan had one burning question as he approached.

"So, Ash," he eerily snickered. "How did her boob feel?" He was creeping out Ash with that grin and question. Viper heard the wondered, not pleased a bit. It was an innocent incident. She pulled out a remote and hit a button. ZAP! The uniform lit up in blue lightning and shocked Dan into submission. Ash and Ibuki watched on as Dan was feeling the voltage coursing through every orifice of his body.

"You just had to open your mouth like that," she scowled. They finally got onto the final moment of the match when Ash and Ibuki fell over. Normal speed was too fast and close to tell who fell first.

"One more time, ½ speed," her assistant informed. The slow motion showed Ash still rotating around Ash up. Ibuki had little control and the video finally stopped. Ash's hand was centimeters from the water but Ibuki's back was already touching. It was close but Ash was about to be crowned the winner.

"It's official. Winner of the last round goes to Ash!" Ash cheered, his unbeaten streak still intact. Ibuki accepted her defeat at the hands of her opponent.

"Ash, that was a great match," she acknowledged. At least he didn't blow his top and try to kill her. "I'm impressed with your skills as much as that body. I almost want it for myself." You've got to admit for his young age, Ash was well structured. Pikachu sighed, though happy that his master was getting respect. "6-0 is impressive. Who's your next opponent?" Good question.

"Gee, I don't know," Ash shrugged. "Who's left?" Not a whole lot. Viper came forward with an idea.

"Smith, tell the boss I'm taking time off to see family," she told one of her associates.

"Yes, ma'am!" he reply as he snagged a cell phone from his pocket. Viper now turned to Ash.

"Ash, I'd like to introduce you to someone back in Charlotte." Who would that be? Ash and Pikachu had odd feelings about this.


(Drive-In at Night, Charlotte, NC, USA/3 Days Later)

Ash and Pikachu were back in the United States with Viper...and a little redhead girl. They were at a drive-in kiosk with plenty of young adults and vehicles decked out from hot rods to low-riders. The little girl was happily petting Pikachu as Ash and Viper watched on. "I can't believe a real Pikachu actually exists," she excitedly chirped. Ash smiled, his little friend making another little friend.

"Who's Lauren's dad?" Ash wondered. Viper dipped his head, trying not to consider talking about the subject.

"He's a deadbeat," she summarized. "He's the reason I signed up undercover for the US agency to pay the bills for me and Lauren." That's one dad who's getting nothing for Father's Day. Ash could relate.

"I think my mom and I live under those same conditions." Lauren turned to Ash, concerned about what he meant.

"Did your daddy run from you and your mommy?" she asked. Sadly, Ash nodded.

"I don't remember the last time my dad visited me. Then again, I've been all around on my Pokémon journeys so I don't know if he's visited while I was out earning Gym Badges like these." Ash pulled out a small case. He opened and revealed six small and styling pins. One was a brown rectangle with two corners in gold and larger than normal. One was a blue boxing glove with the thumb as orange. One was a yellow circle with a "rod" sticking out of both sides. One was a flaming fastball. One was shaped like a barbell and the last was a bird's wing. These were Ash's badges? "I still need two more to compete in the League Tournament. It's not quite the same as this where a fight will wind up in the hospital." Lauren was pretty supportive of Ash being able to get his last two badges.

"I know you will. You're too good to let a setback beat you." That was sweet.

"Thanks a lot, Lauren." Just as they were ready to eat...

"That's enough!" a man shouted from outside. The group heard the noise from outside which grew in protest. They bailed and found a sight which Ash's heart skipped a beat. Sakura, beaten and barely conscious, her clothes torn, had her arm held up and her downed body in the air by a shirtless man wearing a mask. He had a purple snake tattoo wrapped around the top and his blond hair was long and braided. He wore tight purple pants and what kinds of shoes were those?

"How shameful it is to fight me and not touch me," he sneered. "I would've done you in without my mask." He was arrogant beyond belief. He readied talons which were in his other hand. "Now my sweet. It's time to meet you demise." Not if Ash had anything to do with it as he got a ball set.

"Swellow, Quick Attack!" From the ball, Swellow came out and smacked Sakura free with a vicious wing strike. Ash and Pikachu got to Sakura before this man did any more unneeded damage. Lauren and Viper reached Ash and Sakura. "Get her to the sidelines." Viper turned to the blond man who wasn't real happy about someone running interference.

"What are you gonna do with Vega?" she wondered. Ash scorned a look at Sakura's abuser. He wasn't hurt during that battle against her. To Ash, he saw someone who needed to be put in his place and stood to face him as Swellow returned.

"What do you think? She lost but that's no excuse to kill someone." She's not dead but the talons were a real threat. How can Ash fight someone who has a weapon?


TO BE CONTINUED...