Pokemon: Best Wishes
After being rejected by Zekrom and failing to defeat N, Buki suffered a miniature episode of depression, only cheered by Masuku pointing out a possible Steel-Type Pokemon. The Pokemon ended up being a Bug-Type, but was the Pokemon needed by none other than Harrison. Harrison and Buki traded Karrablast for Shelmet, evolving them into Escavalier and Accelgor. After an intense battle, Buki is victorious. He accepts Harrison's apology for what happened at the Indigo League. Then, Escavalier and Accelgor are captured by Team Rocket. They are defeated, and our trio and Harrison part ways: Harrison going to a newer Gym to give himself a challenge, and the trio of trainers continuing toward Opelucid City. Also, just a fantastic little tidbit of information, before I upload this, there's 20 chapters, 20 favorites, and 20 comments. I almost hate to ruin the cycle, but the show must go on!
Chapter Twenty-One: Deerling, Sawsbuck, and the Triple Battle!
"I could totally kick his ass, don't you think brother?" Masuku hadn't stopped talking about wanting to battle Harrison since the three had parted ways with him three days before.
"Masuku, he beat me in a six-on-six Championship battle. What makes you think you could win where I lost?" Buki said shortly. He felt somewhat bad for being so blunt with the younger boy, but Masuku was getting on his nerves. Buki was already a little annoyed by his current predicament. He was 'chosen' by Zekrom, but the Dragon-Type wouldn't respond to his calls. Another thing was that while it was Spring outside, it felt like a really hot summer. For some reason, as they walked through the marshes, it was really muggy and they hadn't seen any Pokemon for awhile.
"Man," Ash said. "We need to find some shelter for awhile. Or some shade." "It's still hot under the shade!" Masuku complained. "The temperature's been steadily rising since Reshiram came back." Buki said lowly. The others stopped complaining and walked on.
Soon the marshes gave way to a forest of some kind. Under the canopy of leaves the heat was nearly unbearable. "Damn it." Masuku muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Even my bandages are soaked." He threw his stuff down by some bushes and sat down, unwinding the bandages from around his arms. He pulled new rolls from his pack and began the process of redoing them.
"Come on. Can't you do that later?" Buki asked. "They're just gonna get wet again." Ash reasoned. "Pi, Pika!" Agreed the Mouse Pokemon tiredly. "You guys know you've been looking for an excuse for a rest." He finished one arm and moved on to the next. Ash and Buki looked from one another to Masuku. Ash shrugged, going to sit by the younger boy. The swordsman sighed, joining him companions. "Might as well." He said under his breath.
It didn't take long for Masuku to finish his bandages. "Crap. I need to pee." He said, getting up and going into the bushes. "I'll be right back." "Whatever." Buki called back, lacing his hands behind his head and leaning against a tree. He closed his eyes. "Might as well be comfortable. If that's possible." He only dozed for a moment before he was rudely awakened by his brother.
"Damn it!" There was the sound of crunching underbrush, signifying Masuku running toward them. But those footsteps seemed a little heavy, and much too fast, for Masuku. Buki's eyes snapped open. Ash was on his knees, peeking over the bushes, looking for Masuku. Buki grabbed him by the shirt.
"Down!" The boy commanded. They'd only just ducked down when a Pokemon leaped over the bushes like a hurdle and kept running. It was a deer-like Pokemon, with huge, leafy antlers.
"That's a Sawsbuck, right?" Ash asked. Buki nodded. "Summer Form. But it's Spring." "Brother!" Buki's eyes flicked back to Sawsbuck. Its leafy antlers had shifted, revealing Masuku clinging to the neck of the dashing Pokemon.
"Damn! It's got Masuku." Buki said, preparing to give chase. Then he stopped, and started laughing. "What's so funny?" Ash asked. "Little idiot must've peed on it!" He exclaimed. Ash smiled, stifling laughter.
"Pfft…ha-ha…this isn't funny." He scolded lightly. "We need to find out where that Sawsbuck went." He pulled a Pokeball from his belt. "Go, Tranquill!" The Wild Pigeon Pokemon flapped off in search of the wayward Fighting-Type specialist. Buki grabbed his brother's backpack.
"Well, let's go then." They took off in pursuit of the Flying-Type. After trekking through the forest for some time, however, they began to lose sight of Tranquill. They were alone, and everything that moved could've been Sawsbuck, for all they knew.
"Damn it!" Buki cursed. "Sawsbuck is perfectly camouflaged in this friggin' forest. There's no way to find it without Tranquill." Just then, Sawsbuck raced past them, knocking Buki down. However, this Sawsbuck was different. Instead of leafy antlers, this Sawsbuck had normal antlers with flowers growing all over them. A stream of obscenities fell from Buki's mouth as Ash helped him up.
"You're acting weird lately." Ash noted. Buki grunted, starting forward again. "You can't let this Zekrom thing get to you." The hat-wearing trainer counseled. "You've gotta get back to normal, 'cause you can't prove yourself to the Dark Stone if you're moping around." Buki stopped, thinking.
"You're right." That was all he said on the subject. "Now come on. That Sawsbuck was in Spring Form, but the one that took Masuku was Summer Form. Something weird is going on here." It wasn't long before they came across a cute brunette girl, who was about their age. She wore her hair up in spiky pigtails, and was dressed in the clothing of a Pokemon Ranger.
Ash was somewhat curious. "I thought Rangers were older." The girl turned, startled to see them. "Who are you two?" She asked, trying to sound authoritative. "Are you the ones that did this to the Pokemon?!" She motioned to a Sawsbuck, in Spring Form like the one they noticed before. It was laying on the ground, and its horns were going through several changes. They started with flowers, like normal for that time of year. As the two trainers watched, the flowers grew until they were the large, leafy antlers of Summer Form. Then leaves fell away, leaving normal antlers. Flowers sprouted, and the cycle continued.
"We didn't do this." Buki promised. "We're just looking for my brother." "Then he did it!" She exclaimed comically. Ash and Buki were feeling some balance between humor and annoyance.
"…no." Ash said. The girl's face fell. "Then who did do it?!" Ash and Buki shared a look. The hat-wearing trainer nodded. Buki took a deep breath. "Reshiram." The girl was quiet for a moment, then burst out in a fit of laughter.
"Reshiram?!" She sounded incredulous. "Surely you don't believe those fairy tails?!" She continued to laugh, but Ash interrupted. "If you're a Ranger, shouldn't you believe them?" She stopped laughing, looking quite sheepish.
"I actually only just became a Ranger. I don't have a partner yet, and I'm really not supposed to be here." She smiled flirtatiously, scratching the back of her head. "You won't tell anyone, will you?" She looked at them with big eyes. Ash and Buki both looked uncomfortable under her gaze, and agreed.
"Good! Now we can see about finding your brother!" She put a hand to her chin, thinking hard. "I did see a boy on the back of a Sawsbuck. He was a screamer." Buki cut off the laugh that was forming. No doubt if his little brother would've heard that, he'd have had words to say to this girl. Or he'd be staring at her, speechless. Most likely speechless.
"I'm Buki." He said, offering a hand. She took his hand and laced their fingers together. "I'm Kate." She started pulling him after her. "Come on! I saw the Sawsbuck with your brother go deeper into the forest!" Buki looked back at Ash, helplessly.
"My name's Ash." He called after them. "This is Pikachu." "Pika." The Electric-Type sweat-dropped.
"So you've got seven badges?!" Ash had finally caught up to the other two, but was still being ignored. "That's so cool!" Kate wouldn't stop talking about Buki's accomplishments.
"You know, Ash has seven badges too. And so does my brother." "Who's Ash? You have a brother?" Buki furrowed his eyebrows. "That's who we're looking for, remember?" She raised an eyebrow, thinking hard.
"Oh yeah! That's right!" Buki looked at Ash subtly, mouthing 'help me.' "Jeez. First, it was that Sayo chick from the P1 Grand Prix, and now this one. What's up with the crazy girls?"
Luckily, Ash decided to start talking. "So, Kate, what made you decide to become a Pokemon Ranger?" Kate looked at him like it was the first time she saw him. She immediately switched sides, now latched onto the hat-wearing boy.
"Well, the uniform looked cute, and so did the Ranger boys." She cast an appraising eye over Ash and Buki. "But now I'm regretting not becoming a trainer." The two trainers shared an uncomfortable glance.
"…Where did you see the Sawsbuck go?" Ash asked, trying to get his arm out of her grasp. She tightened her hands like a python. "It wasn't too far ahead." She said. Ash looked up, constantly searching the skies for sight of Tranquill. Soon, they reached a clearing in the woods. Ash scoped around once more, looking for his Pokemon. He caught a flash of white and grey and, suddenly, Tranquill was soaring in a circle about a half-mile away.
"Buki." The sword-toting trainer glanced up, spotting the Wild Pigeon Pokemon. "Let's make tracks!" Buki exclaimed, taking off. Ash rushed after, trailing Kate from his arm.
"Damn deer!" Masuku screamed. "You're lucky I can't get to my Pokeballs! I'd get my Pignite and we'd make some venison!" A couple Sawsbuck were constantly using Nature Power, turning it into Stun Spore and paralyzing the young trainer. There were only three Deerling in the entire group. They stood close by, watching with interest.
"My friends are gonna find me, and when they do they'll help me roast you!" He flicked his eyes around the forest clearing, trying to find something that would help. He happened to look up, seeing a Tranquill flying in a circle. Masuku smiled.
"That's Ash's trademarked way of finding stuff. They should be here any second." In the bushes, Ash and Buki were scoping the clearing. Ash consulted the Pokedex. Deerling. The Season Pokemon. The turning of the seasons changes the color and scent of this Pokémon's fur. People use it to mark the seasons.
Buki also pulled his Pokedex out. Sawsbuck. The Season Pokemon. The plants growing on its horns change according to the season. The leaders of the herd possess magnificent horns. Buki furrowed his eyebrows.
"I can't believe the Deerling and Sawsbuck are being so vicious. They're usually so peaceful." "That's another reason why we have to stop N. Reshiram is messing up the climate, and that's messing with the Pokemon." Buki nodded.
"I think this has gone on long enough. Let's go get him out of there." Buki made to leap from the bushes, but realized something. "…Where's Kate?" Ash's eyes widened. "Uh-oh."
"Capture on!" She was in the middle of the clearing, Styler out. She'd just released the top from the main part of the device, and had it aimed into the trees. She started whirling the Styler around, looping the top around whatever Pokemon was in the tree.
Meanwhile, the Sawsbuck had realized they had an intruder, and decided to run her down. The three Deerling hung back, 'guarding' Masuku. "Capture Complete!" Kate cried. Just as the Sawsbuck got close, three Joltik leaped from the tree.
"Joltik, Electroweb!" Sparks of yellow electricity appeared in between the Joltiks' mandibles. It fired a stream of yellow electricity into the air. The tip opened up and expanded, forming a large spider web of electricity. The web covered the charging Sawsbuck, electrocuting them. They were immobilized.
"Thanks a lot, Joltik." She released the three. Two of them scuttled back into the trees, but the last one jumped onto Kate's shoulder, nuzzling against her face. "Aww…so cute." She muttered. She patted the Joltik, getting shocked by a small spark.
"I released you, remember? Time to go back to your friends." The Joltik stayed put. "Does this mean you want to come with me?" "Jolt, Jolt!" It squeaked. Kate smiled. "This means…I have a partner!" At about that time, the three Deerling realized their companions weren't going to be able to get rid of the intruder. They were going to have to take care of things themselves. Kate was so enraptured with her new partner that she wasn't paying attention.
"Deer…ling!" They each fired a glowing green sphere. "Damn!" Buki cried from the bushes. "That's Energy Ball!" Kate still wasn't paying attention. "Shoot!" Buki and Ash jumped from the bushes, Buki with Pokeball in hand.
"Samurott, use Shell Blade to deflect!" The Formidable Pokemon appeared, drawing his blades from their sheathes. "Sam! Rott" He roared, slashing through two of them. He swung his head around, catching the third with his massive horn. When the smoke cleared, the Water-Type was swarmed with the Deerling.
"Ash, go free Masuku! I'll handle the Deerling! Samurott, return!" He pulled out another Pokeball. "Go, Sawk!" The Karate Pokemon used Triple Kick, knocking each Deerling away. The Sawsbuck strained against their bonds, but received another jolt of electricity.
"I can't get him up!" Ash called. "Kate!" The Ranger looked to Buki. "Go help Ash!" She ran toward the hat-wearing trainer, pulling something from her pack. "Ash!" She called out, throwing the item. "It's Paralyz Heal!" Ash got to work spraying, while Kate pulled out another and began to spray. One of the Deerling got up and rushed at Ash.
"Sawk, stop it! Use Fling!" Sawk grabbed his Iron Ball from his gi and launched it with precision. However, Deerling used Agility. The ball crashed heavily to the ground, inches behind the Season Pokemon. Deerling jumped, teeth catching Ash's hat. The dual-type ran further into the forest.
"Damn it! They always go for the hat!" He cried, getting up and giving chase. Kate made to follow. "No! Keep spraying!" Buki called. "Sawk, let's try Close Combat!" The remaining Deerling were knocked back once more.
"Get back here, you little bastard!" Ash cried. He'd been running after the Deerling for about five minutes, and was getting tired of the chase. His Tranquill was above him, following his progress.
"Tranquill, use Aerial Ace!" The Wild Pigeon Pokemon dove from the sky and flashed past Deerling. The Season Pokemon tripped, falling to the ground, while Ash's hat flew into the air. Tranquill doubled back, catching the hat and bringing it to her trainer.
"Good job." He said as she alighted on his shoulder. "You ready, Pikachu?" "Pika!" Deerling stood on wobbly legs. It glared at Tranquill, ignoring Pikachu. The Mouse Pokemon cocked his head, not liking the lack of interest.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Pikachu raced forward. Deerling ran forward as well, using Agility. It sidestepped Pikachu, hitting the Electric-type with Double Edge. While the smaller Pokemon flew back, Deerling fired Energy Ball, point-blank. Then, without waiting to see if Pikachu would get up, it ran for Ash, aiming for Tranquill.
"Go ahead, Tranquill!" The Flying-type took off from Ash's shoulder to fly at the Season Pokemon. Deerling used Agility again, now taking huge strides where its legs barely touched the ground. It began to shine just as it collided with Tranquill's Aerial Ace.
When the light died the Deerling had been replaced with Sawsbuck. The newly evolved Pokemon was in Spring Form, and its horns were glowing green. Its head was lowered, and the horns had struck Tranquill.
"What?!" Ash checked the Pokedex. Sawsbuck's signature move, Horn Leech, saps the opponent's strength to replenish its own. "Tranquill! You have to get away from those horns!" Tranquill started flapping her wings, using the powerful wing beats to rise slowly away from the deer-like Pokemon.
"Use Sky Attack!" Tranquill fully broke away from Sawsbuck, flying high up into the air. Sawsbuck fired multiple Energy Ball attacks that were all dodged with the Wild Pigeon Pokemon's skillful flying. Tranquill turned 'round, diving at the Normal/Grass-type. White energy burst out around her as she made contact.
At the same time, Sawsbuck used Horn Leech once more, attempting to siphon the energy away from Tranquill's attack. The two stayed locked for a few seconds, Horn Leech succeeding somewhat in draining energy from the attack. However, Tranquill's attack was far too powerful, and Sawsbuck couldn't steal enough energy away.
Tranquill broke past Sawsbuck's antlers, crashing into the Season Pokemon with the super effective move. The deer-like Pokemon crashed to the ground. Ash reached into his bag. "Let's get ready to go back."
"The Sawsbuck are breaking free!" Buki exclaimed. "Hurry up with that Paralyz Heal!" Now the electricity was drained from the Electroweb, and Buki and Sawk were about to be overrun by the deer-like Pokemon.
"Got it!" Kate cried. She may've said something else, but was drowned out by Masuku. "YES!" He grabbed a Pokeball. "It's over now, friggin' deer! Pignite, let's go!" The Fire Pig Pokemon twisted his head, cracking what little neck he had.
"Fire Thrust!" "Close Combat!" Pignite ran forward, hands alight. Sawk dropped right in the middle of the group of Sawsbuck, lashing out with knees and elbows, with Pignite attacking the stragglers.
The ground rustled behind them. They all whirled around, expecting more Sawsbuck. It was just Ash. The boy was walking back out of the trees, Pikachu on his shoulder, Tranquill perched on his arm, and a Pokeball clutched in a triumphant grip.
"Caught the sucker." He called, putting the ball on his belt. He shook his hat to get the dust off, and put it back on his head. Buki nodded, then turned to Kate.
"Is there something we can do to help the Deerling and the Sawsbuck?" He asked. "Help them?!" Masuku exploded. "I think we should barbeque them!" "You peed on them. It was really your fault." Ash noted. Masuku crossed his arms.
"I can call the other Rangers." Kate said. "They'll know what to do." "But, won't you get in trouble?" Ash asked. "That doesn't matter." She said. "As a Ranger, I have to help these Pokemon. And, I think they'll be excited when they see my new partner Pokemon." She patted Joltik.
"Besides," She began. "I've decided you guys aren't crazy. You've gotta do something about whatever's going on with Reshiram. It's gonna mess with all the Pokemon, and it'll just get worse." She pulled Ash and Buki into a bear hug.
"I'm really gonna miss you guys." Masuku looked left out. "Do I get a hug?" Ash and Buki laughed silently as she messed up his hair.
"So, you caught one of those stupid things?" Masuku asked with a scowl. Ash frowned at him. "I actually had a really good battle with him, and he's pretty powerful for having just evolved." "Whatever." The wrestler muttered.
The three walked in silence for awhile, getting close to the forest's edge. After awhile, they began to hear the sounds of a loud argument. Well, really just one male voice loudly arguing with a much quieter male voice.
"I think I recognize that voice." Ash said, sweat dropping. "Which one?" Buki asked, having an idea as to the identity of the quieter voice. "The loud one." Ash sighed. The three of them left the forest, ending up on a short bridge. The argument was taking place at the far end, by the entrance to a sort of building that connected the Routes.
"It was your fault, jackass." Said the quieter boy. "Oh, Arceus." Masuku muttered. "It's Trip." He was right. Trip, the smart-aleck that faced off in a battle against Ash, Buki, and Masuku so long ago was standing and arguing with a blond boy. The boy wore an orange and white striped shirt. He was stamping his feet and swinging his fists around.
"I'm issuing you a fine!" He cried. There was a third boy, who slapped his palm to his face. "C'mon, Barry. Does that ever work?" He had dark blue hair, cut short and covered by a red beret. He wore a red shirt under a blue jacket, and black jeans.
"Shut up, Lucas! I'm fining him!" Barry happened to turn, seeing the trio approaching. "My Arceus!" He yelled, temporarily forgetting Trip. He ran toward the trio. "Ash!" He cried, waving his arms. "It's me! Barry!" Lucas turned to Trip.
"Sorry about him." "Hn." "Hey, Barry." Ash said. Trip's eyebrow raised at Ash's voice, and he started to walk over. "Oh. I thought I heard you guys." Masuku leveled a glare at the boy, who returned it.
"Who's this guy?" Buki asked, politely. "I'm Barry. I'm Ash's rival from the Sinnoh League!" "One of them." Ash acknowledged. "And I'm Barry's rival. Or so he says." Lucas said, walking up. "I'm his friend. Probably one of the only ones he's got." Barry laughed sarcastically.
"Real funny, Luke." He flicked Lucas' beret, causing it to fly off. "Jerk." Lucas muttered, kneeling to retrieve it. "What are you doing here, Barry?" Ash asked. "Competing. Lucas and I are traveling together. We've already got our eight Badges, and we're going to Vertress City for the League." Ash's eyes widened.
"We haven't even got our last Badge yet!" He cried. "You better hurry up." Barry said. "You've only got about a week short of three months left. Although, it shouldn't take that long." Barry mused. "Opelucid City is on the other side of this Route, then across a bridge. It'll take maybe a half-day of walking. And just a few days beyond that is the League city of Vertress." The three sighed a sigh of relief.
"That's good. We've got time." Barry smiled. "How about we use some of that time for a battle. For old time's sake?" Lucas grinned too. "I could get in on that. I'm always up for fighting against somebody tough." Buki and Masuku looked at each other and smirked.
"Count us in." "That's five." Barry said, thinking. "We could do a Triple Battle, if this guy would oblige." He jerked a thumb at Trip. "Tch. As if." He turned, ready to walk away.
"Chicken." Masuku taunted. "He's just a pansy. We beat him before, and now he doesn't even want to try." Trip glared over his shoulder. "Ok. I'm game. Let's go."
"We each get one Pokemon, and the battle's decided when one side's Pokemon are all unable to battle." Buki decided. "Everyone, reveal the Pokemon you choose to fight with!" He cried, throwing a Pokeball. Five others followed, revealing six very different Pokemon.
On our heroes' side was Throh, Zorua, and Excadrill. In front of Barry on the other side was a Cofagrigus, in front of Lucas was a Lickilicky, and lastly, in front of Trip was a Chandelure, another Ghost-type that looked like a chandelier.
"Looks like a party." Masuku commented. "Well then, How about I kick this party off?!" Barry cried. "Cofagrigus, use Shadow Ball on Excadrill!" The Coffin Pokemon brought all four shadowy hands together, forming a purple energy ball between them. It pulled its arms apart, turning the one Shadow Ball into four. It then spun around, launching all four at the Subterrene Pokemon.
"Dodge it with Drill Run!" Buki commanded. "Zorua, use Dark Pulse!" "Throh, you take the hits from those Shadow Balls and use Revenge on Lickilicky!" Excadrill compacted into Drill Form, rocketing past the Coffin Pokemon's attack. Throh jumped into the path of the Ghost-type move, taking the damage. He then raced across the bridge to the Normal-type Lickilicky, intent on dealing super-effective damage. At the same time, Zorua opened his mouth and fired a mass of bluish-black energy rings at Chandelure.
"Chandelure, deflect it with Will-O-Wisp!" The Luring Pokemon's purple flames flickered higher, and it released them in a stream to collide with the Dark Pulse. Throh was closing in on Lickilicky.
"Lickilicky, use Power Whip!" The Licking Pokemon's tongue shot out of his mouth, glowing green. Throh brought both hands up and grabbed the Normal-type's glowing appendage. He drew back and threw the large Pokemon over his shoulder.
Cofagrigus was using his ghostly arms to try and hold Excadrill back. "Excadrill, augment with Metal Claw!" The Subterrene Pokemon's steel drill-edge began to glow silver and Excadrill moved somewhat closer to the Ghost-type.
"Use Destiny Bond!" Barry commanded. Cofagrigus' 'arms' glowed, and then the Ghost-type released Excadrill. The Ground-type crashed into Cofagrigus, moving past it. Cofagrigus fell to the ground, faceplate closing and arms disappearing. Excadrill turned back to Normal Form and fell down as well.
"Cofagrigus and Excadrill are out!" Barry called. He and Buki brought their Pokemon back. "Damn." Buki said. "First one out." "To be fair, I was first." Barry commented. They moved back, cheering for their sides.
"Zorua, use Dark Pulse, again!" Zorua opened his mouth and blasted another round of bluish-black energy at the Luring Pokemon. "Chandelure, dodge and use Will-O-Wisp!" Chandelure showed impressive speed, dodging Zorua's attack easily. The Ghost-type got up close and its flames flared up. Zorua jumped back, but still had a burn down his side.
"Now use Hex!" Chandelure began to spin quickly. Black energy poured off the Luring Pokemon's body, floating up above it. The energy formed a black sphere, with more energy branching out from it like tentacles. The center of the sphere opened, forming an evil red eye.
The eye focused on Zorua, releasing a black wave of power that washed over the Tricky Fox Pokemon. "Hex deals double damage if the target has a status problem! Like a burn!" Trip gloated.
"But Zorua is a Dark-type, so he only takes half the damage." Ash said. Trip's smile dropped. Zorua shook his head, as if to clear his mind. His burn flared up, dealing some damage. The Dark-type narrowed his eyes, which began to glow blue. He reared back on his back legs, front paws in the air. A crimson aura appeared around his body, and he brought his paws down to the ground. A crimson force-field of energy appeared around his body and expanded across the whole battlefield.
"What the hell is that?" Lucas asked? He pulled out a Sinnoh Pokedex. Night Daze. This signature move of Zorua and Zoroark releases a wave of energy that hits all other Pokemon. It also reduces accuracy. The red wave slammed into Chandelure, pushing it back and dealing super effective damage. It also hit Throh and Lickilicky, knocking the latter to the ground. Throh looked back, brow furrowed.
"Throh doesn't take too much damage, 'cause Night Daze is Dark-type!" Masuku exclaimed. "Finish Lickilicky off with Superpower!" Throh glowed blue and lunged forward. He grabbed the Licking Pokemon, lifted it to his shoulders, and tossed him into the air. Gravity took hold of the pink Pokemon, bringing it back down very quickly. Throh lashed out with a fist, nonchalantly landing the final hit against Lickilicky's fleshy belly.
"Lickilicky's out too!" Lucas said, returning the Normal-type to its Pokeball. He walked over to stand with Barry and watch the rest of the fight play out. Trip stayed cool. "Chandelure, use Flame Burst on both of them!" "Wide Guard!" Masuku cried. Chandelure's main flame rose and flickered before unleashing a blast aimed at the ground. At the same time, Throh's hands glowed red. He raised them up in front of him, and then spread them out. A red barrier formed in front of himself and Zorua.
The Flame Burst hit the ground, literally bursting, and flames arced toward both of our heroes' Pokemon. However, the Wide Guard deflected the attack. "Wide Guard is a Rock-type move that protects from moves that hit more than one target!" Masuku called out.
"True. But if you keep using it, it'll stop working." Trip countered. "Flame Burst!" "Dodge!" Ash and Masuku called out together. "Throh doesn't have any attacks that will hit a Ghost-type!" Masuku said to Ash. "You'll have to take care of it on your own!" Ash nodded.
"Zorua, use Faint Attack!" Zorua padded up innocently, pointing behind Chandelure. "Shadow Ball!" But instead of listening to its trainer, Chandelure turned around, looking for what the Tricky Fox Pokemon was pointing at. Zorua smirked, lashing out.
Chandelure slid back, attention back on Zorua. The Dark-type's burn took a little more strength, leaving him panting. "Chandelure, end this fight with Overheat!" "Crap!" Masuku cried. "Dodge!" Both Pokemon dove to the side of the Luring Pokemon as it prepared to fire. However, instead of being launched the way Overheat normally would, Chandelure's Overheat took the form of all the flames on its body glowing red. Then, Chandelure began spinning like a top, releasing the flames in every direction.
"Wide Guard!" Throh threw up a barrier once more, the flames dying harmlessly against it. "Damn. They deflected." Trip said quietly. "Now Chandelure's Special Attack is low. All our moves are weaker."
"Zorua! Dark Pulse!" "Dodge!" The Tricky Fox Pokemon fired the mass of energy, but Chandelure quickly moved out of the way. The attack hit Throh, pushing him back a little.
"Ha!" Trip gloated. "You attacked your teammate!" Masuku growled at him, but he just smirked. "Spin and use Shadow Ball!" The Luring Pokemon launched several purple spheres, intent on once more taking both opponents out at once.
"Zorua's burn has already taken too much strength from him. He can't handle another attack." Masuku decided. "Wide Guard!" Throh tried using the barrier again. It came up, and deflected the first few Shadow Balls, but the barrier broke. Zorua took a direct hit, and Throh took a couple glancing blows.
"Ash?! Is Zorua ok?!" Masuku called. "…We're out." Masuku's spirits fell. He heard the sound of Zorua being returned to his Pokeball. "Well…damn." Trip smiled devilishly. "Chandelure, let's play! Restrict movement with Fire Spin!" Chandelure began spinning again, and began to circle around the Judo Pokemon. The Luring Pokemon returned to its original position, but Throh was trapped in a column of flames that burned as high as the trees behind them.
"Throh!" Masuku made to go forward, but the heat of the flames was intense. Masuku had a light bulb moment. "Reversal!" Throh grimaced in pain, but crossed his arms over his chest. He started glowing, and threw his arms out. A shockwave punched through the Fire Spin, freeing the Fighting-type. The wave collected the flames and washed over the Luring Pokemon.
"Normally, a Fighting-type move will have little effect on a Ghost Pokemon." Masuku began to explain. "Reversal becomes more powerful the weaker the user is. It can turn the tide of a battle. However, that doesn't mean it'll hit a Ghost-type. That's where the fire comes in. I wasn't technically hitting you with a Fighting-type move. It was a Fire-type move." "That's all well and good, but this is over. You can't deal much damage by hitting me with my own attacks, and you don't have the energy to take them anyway." Trip reasoned.
"Take him down! Night Shade!" Chandelure's ominous yellow eyes glowed, and a giant, ghostly projection of the Luring Pokemon passed through Throh. "And that's game." Trip said.
There it is. I've been writing this on and off for about a week, and it was torture to get back into writing. But, here we are with a glorious new chapter. There's a new member to Team Ash, and we meet a couple new players in the race for Unova League Champion. Let me tell you, Harrison, Lucas, and Barry are just the tip of the iceberg. And you know Cheren's gonna be there. Anyway, next chapter will be a Gym Battle in Opelucid City. Also, I've calculated, and this will probably be closer to 30 chapters when I'm through, instead of 25. Somewhere in that range. Well, tell me what you thought. Ja Nae.