First of all, I want to apologize for updating after a long time. Things really starting to get busy. Secondly, what I feared happened this Thursday. Ash ultimately released Poipole. Thankfully, what I write is not Canon. In my story he has Greninja and Naganadel as well as Nebby. I don't watch Pokémon anymore but do read the Major events of each episode. So technically this chapter is a tribute to Naganadel.
Location: Battle Factory
Ash's Team: Pikachu, Noctowl, Torkoal, Torterra, Samurott and Naganadel.
Please enjoy.
''And just as promised you AK. I present you...my trustworthy partner…..Articuno!'' Noland yelled towards the sky, arms spread wide.
In the colossal arena, a large mechanical door blinked twice sensoring Noland's voice, and it slowly began to unbar. The next moment, a large blue blur appeared in such a speed, it was practically impossible for a human eye to follow. Against the sky, bluer than the previous days, it was only a silhouette.
A shrill cry of pure domination that brought everybody to stand still, except for one. High above them was soaring the Freeze Pokémon on invisible strings, eyes trained on the man below. However, the battle cry hadn't gained any response from the man Articuno was glaring at. At least a little hesitancy was being expected from the yellow mouse that rode the trainer's shoulder. The pair maintained a calm and insightful composure, as if they were about to battle a mere Pidgey and not a Legendary Pokémon.
Ash's gaze turned to meet the fearsome glare of one of the three Legendary Birds, who was closing in to the ground at a frightening pace, kicking up a small cyclone of snowflakes as its talons touch the surface. Regardless he just stepped forward, brushing off any contrition at the last minute. The stands came alive as he stepped on it.
''So it can keep up a little, huh?'' Ash mused to himself.
''Pika-pi…'' Pikachu agreed.
''It's still the perfect adversary for my choice,'' Ash grinned, as he revealed the Pokéball in his hand.
''Alright AK, you got what you wanted. Now show us the Pokémon whose pride we'll be crushing today. Or maybe you can back out right now if you want.'' Noland challenged, waiting patiently for the younger trainer to answer, meeting him with a stern gaze that was almost unnerving in discipline.
The young trainer brushed his thumb quickly under the bridge of his nose. ''Pity you can't beat me simply with confidence.''
Ash's sphere drew a cast, the leaking light taking the form of a monstrous purple striped Pokémon with both draconic and insectoid features. The top half of its body was slender with thin arms and fuchsia tipped claws. Both shoulders boasted grey spikes. The purple draconic wings on its back had a single fuchsia elongated claw at the joint and darker purple membranes. At the end of its long neck was its head, which had a large spiked crest and grey face spikes which acted as mandibles. The lower half of its body resembled a wasp's abdomen which rooted three long spikes, with the middle one being the largest and resembling a hypodermic needle or a wasp's stinger.
Upon the opposition's arrival, Articuno flapped it's mighty wings, quickly conjuring chilly winds that nearly compared to a typhoon. Peering at the purple dragon in front of it, the blue hues locked with the glowing cyan eyes. While Naganadel just chirped merrily, Articuno let out a gentle coo. Before the referee could even utter a word, the challenge had been silently declared. Articuno's gaze said it all. It was being presented and it looked tough enough, even if it was a Dragon type. Challenge accepted.
''I have never seen a Pokémon like that! Must be a Legendary like Articuno!'' Sergio, Noland's apprentice remarked. Regardless, he did his job.
''That's one disparate Beedrill! It seems to be totally outta this world!''
''I guess you could say that. Its name is Naganadel! It's from the region of Alola. Its part Dragon part Poison type. Please do not ask me why am I choosing a Pokémon that has a type disadvantage. And that's all you need to know right now.''
''I have heard about you, AK. They say you're quite powerful,'' Noland complimented, which left a smirk on Ash's lips.
'''They are quite correct…''
''The official Battle Frontier Challenge between AK of Mt. Silver, and the Factory Head, Noland shall now commence. The first to have their Pokémon faint or the first to forfeit shall lose the match! There's no time limit…Begin!'' Declaring the rules, Sergio chopped in mid-air, signaling that either side can get the ball rolling.
''Alright then, let's not waste another second! Articuno, start with Ice Beam!'
Noland's call was heeded without hesitation, the august ice type charged a flickering light between its beak, readying itself to fire a freezing beam towards Naganadel. The blast of energy surely was fast enough, but not more than the purple behemoth's agility who lunged playfully to the side, making the Ice Beam look like a child's play.
''Your pace is too quick for an unenthused personality! Alright then, Hurricane!'' He pointed a finger forward, shouting his next command.
''Like the cold's gonna slow our pace.'' Ash scoffed inwardly.
Once it was on the aerial level, Articuno beat its wings feriosucuosly, raising a small segment of wind, the vigorousness in the flaps grew pretty quickly, and proportionately the small wind slowly transitioned into a violent turbulent gust. The eleven foot Ultra Beast had to use its wings to brace itself from the incoming attack, which was only powered up by the gloomy weather. The Hurricane proved to be too harsh for the poison type and threw it off balance, headfirst towards the floor.
''Steel Wing!'' Noland threw his arm forward, pointing towards the opponent, and Articuno quickly pursued.
Assuming its curtain call for the victory, Articuno took a steep dive and dashed for the wobbly Naganadel, with its wings which had been waiting to use snapped to attention, each taking a metallic sheen. The target however pulled itself up just as Articuno shot towards it, and dodged the attack by a few inches and took the opportunity to stab its stinger into Articuno's back.
Articuno knew that that this Pokemon was no joke in the power department, despite it being so jovial. One stab was enough to affirm that. At this moment, both Pokémon were only testing each other's strength and capabilities. The real battle was about to start now. This would be a battle to test their limits like no other.
''Well, I guess that's enough warmup for now! Let's see if that Naganadel has any moves it would like to disclose. Articuno, Ice Beam!''
The Pokémon cried, firing a stronger chilling beam of energy towards Naganadel.
''Air Slash,'' Ash's face remained impassive as always.
Naganadel adhered to the command, conjuring a swirling orb of air pressure between its claws. Then, it launched it. Finally, the attacks erupted on collision, going off in a deafening explosion, lightning the battlefield in a brilliant splendor, sending ice shards in every direction. Smoke was blanketed across the arena, crossing each individual with a chilly breeze.
''Articuno, use Steel Wing!'' The Frontier Brain roared, shouting encouragement to his Pokemon.
Appearing in a zip from the thick cloud, the Legendary Pokémon dived for the giant purple brute, its previously blue wings taking on a bright silver tone, ramming into Naganadel with silver reinforced wings. If it couldn't pulverize Naganadel with special attacks, then he'd just have to beat him down the old-fashioned way. Naganadel yelped in pain and squirming, as Articuno flew past at it.
At that point, a small frown made its way on Ash's lips. He began to analyze Articuno's attack pattern before deriving a strategy. Surely, his opponent and Articuno had gotten stronger. But he didn't come unprepared, did he?
''So that Ice Beam was just a diversion, huh? His main intention was to get a close on attack. After all these years, he still resorts to combos. Till now Articuno simply uses its wings to box us out. He figured out long range attacks would fall in vain, plus he has no idea what kinda attack pattern would I use Naganadel. So technically I have some sort of advantage which I gotta use against him.'' Smiling proudly, Ash realized where their strength might lie.
''Hey AK! What ya spaced out! Weren't you gonna show me what you and Naganadel are capable of?'' Noland teased, clearly amused at Ash's grim expressions.
Clearly being underestimated, Ash just etched a smirk on his lips, and folded his arms against his chest. If he wanted to, he would have ended this in one go. But that isn't the reason he's just touring throughout Kanto right now.
''Naganadel, you hear that? Show ém your Flamethrower!''
Naganadel wasn't those who would take any insult seriously. It had more of a jocular nature. Kindling its ambition to use, it spewed out a stream of flames.
Noland smiled. Finally he got somewhere with Ash. He adjusted the visor of his cap, and raised a hand, the trench coat, fluttering to accommodate the movement, ''Water Pulse!''
Articuno responded in kind by countering with its own powerful move .By opening its beak wide, Articuno poured effort into a bubbling sphere of glowing liquids that soon took a perfectly round shape. With a cry, it tossed the orb forward to greet the Flamethrower. Both attacks were forged with resistance. The scorching flames quickly digested and overwhelmed the Water Pulse, unabated in its pursuit of Articuno. Noland took a double take at what he saw. Without so much as a hint, Articuno flapped its wings, flying cleanly to avoid the incoming Flamethrower.
''It's agile and has the same offense-defense pattern. We'll just punch a hole in its defenses.'' ''Naganadel, Draco Meteor!''Ash ordered, utilizing his signature combination.
''Getting a bit creative, are they?'' It would be much to Noland's surprise, though, that Ash was one step ahead of him.
Two clawed fins raised above the pokemon's head, focusing the draconian energy within Naganadel's core. Mastery of the move achieved long ago pushed it past its throat, firing the orb high into the air. Teeming with life even above Articuno, it was bound to burst. Brutal meteoric shots began to pummel the battlefield, but in the air it was a different scenario. Ash successfully perturbed Articuno's focus, as it on hand, was finding a way to survive the meteors, flying loosely in erratic patterns.
''The fish has grabbed the bait! Thunderbolt!''
The spectating assistant cum Referee let out a terrified gasp, watching Articuno screech in pain as blinding electricity ran coursed its body, highlighted with golden flashes of light. That looked pretty painful…
''It's still standing, but of course, I won't expect any less from a Legendary.'' Ash remarked, both amazed and shocked at Articuno's resilience.
''This battle rages on and on with the second but from this point it's gonna get crucial. Articuno, Hyper Beam!'' Noland shouted to the heavens.
The dragon needed to be neutralized, otherwise this match just might be more risky than Noland had intended. A low, rumbling cry built in the avian's throat, most of its raw power channeling into a flickering orb that looked very much like a miniature sun. The guttural growl turned to an ear-splitting shriek, and the attack was fired in the form of a terribly powerful beam. Even Articuno itself couldn't help but recoil.
''Spinning Dodge!''
Acting quickly, Naganadel twisted promptly to the side, reluctantly picking up on Ash's spin maneuver to barrel just out of Hyper Beam's range. Even as he could feel the terrible heat radiating off the move, he vaulted around his pursuer to take off towards its source. With the behemoth circling up towards Articuno, the vigor for a fight was ignited in both dragon's eyes.
''Great job!'' Ash praised, smacking both hands together. ''Now, use Poison Jab!''
Now, it was time to exploit the speed they'd built up. Naganadel rushed forward on Ash's orders, to bury its long, hooking claw in Articuno's belly. The ice type seized up, body fighting the toxins rushing over it.
''All this power!'' Noland marveled, thoroughly impressed. ''We can't let them get onto us! Ice Beam!''
Articuno let out a loud cry in response, charging another chilling sphere of energy in front of its beak before firing it towards Naganadel.
'''Thunderbolt !'' Ash ordered, cool and unperturbed.
Naganadel fired another bolt of electricity from its crest that collided with the chilly frost, forming a crackling collision that ended in a loud explosion and another smog enveloped the field. The match was growing tense and frustrating. Ash was too good for Noland to just beat, but Noland was also too good for Ash to fully overwhelm.
''Now's your chance, Articuno! Steel Wing!'' Noland called out once more, and his orders were followed.
The black veil of smoke made a nice cover for the speedy blue bullet; if it weren't for Naganadel superior speed nonetheless, allowing Naganadel to pummel the ice type with a jab of its poisonous stinger into Articuno's gut even before those metallic wings would touch it. And this time, the toxins found purchase, sending a sickly fever through the opposing pokemon. If Noland was going to open up this chance again, Ash would take it.
''Did you seriously think we were gonna fall for that again?'' Ash quipped, one eye open whilst mocking the Frontier Brain. ''So, tell me, what will you try and fail at next?''
With frustration clearly visible in Noland's features, he balled his fists before commanding the next move. ''Then we'll fight you with what hurts. Never make the mistake of underestimating a Legendary. Water Pulse!''
A smirk spread across Ash's bearded mug, muscular arms crossed over his chest. ''Guess, a crushing defeat is the only solution. Thunderbolt on the Water Pulse and slap it back with your wing!''
The Legendary Pokemon opened its beak wide, firing off a pressurized sphere of water towards Naganadel, as the latter, feeling every bit as desperate, unleashing other bolt of electricity towards the intended target. Electric charges ran through the pulsated orb of water upon contact, lighting the sphere with a golden terrifying blast of electricity. In a swoosh, Naganadel batted the sphere of bundled shocking power swinging it right at Articuno. Noland and Sergio had to watch on in horror as Articuno was roasted, unable to move. Its cry of pain could hardly be heard.
''Incredible! I have never seen Articuno in such condition before.'' Sergio muttered, his eyes set on the Pokémon that was pummeling Articuno with hardly any effort.
''Now to give you a taste of your own medicine, Noland.'' Ash smirked, reminiscing his previous battlewith the Factory Head, where he made Articuno freeze Charizard's wing. ''Naganadel, shoot your venom at Articuno's legs and wings!''
With a glee, Naganadel pointed its most powerful feature, its sturdy stinger and fired a barrage of adhesive poisonous projectiles. Each of them rained into Articuno's talons and wings, proscribing any sort of movement. Moreover, due to the wings being soaked in the tacky liquid, Articuno couldn't even take flight anymore and had its position stuck on the field. On top of it, the purple sparkles danced around its body every 2 minutes.
''The poison's a real pain, isn't it? Naganadel can store up to hundreds of liters of deadly poison in their bodies. Some Pokémon, huh? '' Ash grinned along, satisfied with the success of his plan.
''The kinda Pokémon I would like to study bout. But only after we take it out. There's always a backup plan for situations like these. Articuno, use Rain Dance!''
Despite being in pain, Articuno let out a melodious tune. The weather was already inclement, that now the winds began to kick up harshly. A small drop fell on Naganadel as it spun merrily too much to care about the battle. The sprinkles turned into a light rain shower, and the downpour began to beat against Articuno's body, washing away all the toxic goo.
''Idiot~''
''Not good,'' Sergio mumbled.
''Have you heard the phrase 'Haste makes waste'?''
''What do you mean?'' Noland blinked, obviously slow to catch what Ash 's plans were for Articuno.
''Let me show you in the easiest way possible. Naganadel, Thunderbolt!''
Golden flashes of electricity ignited the air between the two pokemon, swallowing Articuno in a blinding tempest.
"CUUU!"
A shriek was just barely heard over the distinct boom of electricity, a charred fiery spirit left in its wake. Weary and on the verge of fainting, the flying type fluttered to the place it was initially challenged, exhausted. Landing heavily on its belly, its body landed before Noland with a heavy thud drooped. The Legendary had been bested by the Ultra Beast.
My real choice for this battle was Garchomp but I thought let's give Naganadel a shot.
Next chapters on ''Avenge, Battle, Repeat!''
Chapter 11: Arena Tycoon Greta
Chapter 12: Dome Ace Tucker
Chapter 13: Palace Maven Spenser [Since I already made a chapter of Pike Queen Lucy]
Please read and review!