Chapter 26: The Final Gym Battle.
Time to go all out, the final gym badge and Team Plasma, I guess I have held back for far too long, this story I felt has gone on the same pace from start to finish, time to pick up the pace.
A Plasma grunt walked into the main office to present his report to the leader of Team Plasma, "sir, the trainer with Reshiram has entered Humilau City, along with his girl who trains Cobalion," a man wearing all black declared while standing in front of the desk, the swivel chair turned around to reveal a man with short green hair wearing mostly black and purple, he stood up and walked towards the window with his cane in hand, "Master Ghetsis, what is our objective?" the plasma grunt asked with a puzzled expression.
"Bring those two here," Ghetsis replied with a sneer.
"Sir, but how those two are exceptionally strong," the plasma grunt stated with a frown.
Ghetsis turned towards the grunt and shook his head, "yes, they are strong, but the Shadow Triad, Colress and myself are more than a match for those two," Ghetsis replied with a smirk.
Colress and the Shadown Triad walked into the office and bowed their heads, "Sir, we have captured Kyurem and we have tested the cannon on a few towns," Colress explained the situation to Ghetsis, "we also have made sure the DNA Splicer is fully operational," Colress told his boss quietly.
"Also sir, the four guests are converging in one location, they are walking into a trap and don't know it," the leader of the Shadow Triad explained the situation to the Plasma boss.
"Good, now make sure that no one else interferes, our master plan must go without any hindrance," Ghetsis instructed his men with a smile, he turned towards the window and looked out as the clouds started to clear.
"Sir!" the men of Team Plasma saluted before heading out to complete their mission.
Ghetsis looked out the wind to see the large mountains of the region, the ship turned around to head towards a major city, "time to show the world that Team Plasma is back, this will not take too long," Ghetsis whispered to himself, he smirked at the prospect of his plans coming to fruition.
Meanwhile miles away from the ship a man with long green hair wearing a white shirt and black jeans was approaching the region with a large black pokemon, "I hope I am not too late," he told himself while his hair flipped around in the breeze, "Zekrom, hurry we must stop my dad from succeeding," N told his pokemon, the large black pokemon's tail started to glow blue causing it to zoom faster across the bright blue sky.
(In Humilau City)
"Alright Haxorus attack with Dragon Claw," Ash instructed his dragon type pokemon to attack Dawn's Duosion.
"Not so fast Ash Duosion, attack with Psychic," Dawn instructed her newly evolved pokemon, the eyes of the psychic type pokemon started to glow blue causing the dragon to hover in the air preventing it from attacking, "glad we are getting some training in ha Ash?" Dawn asked the trainer noticing that he was preoccupied with something, 'Ash isn't fully into this battle, it must mean something is going to happen,' Dawn thought as she nodded at her pokemon.
'Reshiram, are you sure Kyurem is in trouble?' Ash asked his legendary pokemon.
'Yes and now we have Zekrom getting ready to get involved in the battle,' Reshiram implied as the trainer began to shudder with the prospect of the final battle between him and Team Plasma, 'you need to focus on getting the final badge, then we can deal with Team Plasma,' Reshiram advised Ash who was feeling more nervous.
Ash recalled his pokemon and looked towards the gym, "yeah, we have been here for two days and the leader hasn't shown his face," Ash complained, he turned away and walked towards the Pokemon Center.
"Wow, Ash must have a lot on his mind," Dawn told herself with great concern, she looked over to the two starter pokemon and shrugged her shoulder, "I am sure it is nothing to worry about," Dawn said with a smile. The bluenette followed Ash towards the medical facility, worrying even more about her loves recent change in personality, "we only got here two days ago, sure he was impatient about the gym battle,' Dawn thought while looking at the trainer's back.
'Maybe that's because like us legendary pokemon, he can sense danger, since he can sense aura, he must feel that there is some dark energy going around,' Cobalion explained everything to Dawn, but this information didn't change the fact that the bluenette was getting more worried about the incoming danger.
"So we are going to see a problem coming our way," Dawn silently told herself, she approached Ash and placed her hand over his right shoulder, "whatever it is, I will be here to help," Dawn commented, gently smiling at him.
"Thanks Dawn," Ash replied softly.
Walking to the exit Ash bumped into a dark skinned man wearing blue jeans and sporting blue hair, "sorry about that, I have been a little busy training my water pokemon for another Gym battle," the man said with a smile.
Ash glared at the gym leader, angered by the fact that he had to wait to meet the gym leader, "I have been waiting to challenge you," Ash replied angrily, he walked away from the gym leader towards the exit of the medical facility, "I challenge you to a battle for my last gym badge," Ash declared with a clenched fist.
"Sure, we can have our battle tonight," the gym leader replied, grinning at the powerful trainer. "Sadly I only have four pokemon, so would a three on three battle sound good to you?" the gym leader questioned the Kanto native.
Ash nodded in approval and looked towards his partner pokemon, he turned his attention to Dawn, "come on Dawn, let's continue training our Pokemon," Ash called over to the blue haired coordinator, without looking Ash bumped into a male trainer with spiky blue hair and a girl with long brown pigtails, "Rosa, Hugh, it's so good to see you again," Ash said with a smirk.
Hugh looked up to see the gym leader standing behind him, "Marlon, I challenge you to a battle," Hugh decreed.
Rosa stepped forward and pushed Hugh aside, "ladies first, I want to battle you Marlon," Rosa declared while Ash and Dawn watched on.
"I already have a challenger," Marlon replied nervously as the two trainer glared at Ash for a moment.
Dawn watched as a bright idea came to mind, she stepped between her love and the two trainers who were wanting to challenge the gym leader, "hey you three how about instead of individual battles, you three have a triple battle against Marlon, Ash, Rosa and Hugh each using one pokemon while Marlon here, use three pokemon of choice," Dawn suggested.
Marlon placed his right hand on his chin and thought about the idea, he scanned the three trainers and thought about the battle, "Alright then it will be a triple battle, I am sure it would be a great battle anyway," Marlon replied with confidence, he turned around and walked to the exit of the medical facility, he looked back to see Ash glaring at Dawn, 'so this is the trainer that has easily beaten all the other gym leaders and has beaten our champion as well,' Marlon thought quietly, he walked away as the sun set over the ocean.
"Dawn, you know I wanted to face Marlon on my own," Ash complained.
Dawn smirked knowing that Ash still wasn't completely focused on the battle, "no need to worry Ash, plus there is a reason why Hugh and Rosa are here," Dawn retorted while looking over to her friends.
"In fact we are here because Rosa and I heard rumours that Team Plasma is making their big move," Hugh explained while turning towards the TV set, he walked up to it and pressed the volume button, "see what I mean?" Hugh asked the three people behind him.
"We have breaking news, Nuvema Town was mysteriously frozen some time ago, the source of which remains a mystery, all efforts to defrost the town has been in vain," the reporter explained the situation as the camera panned out towards the view of the small town, "as we can all see the ice has even lowered the temperature to such extremes, that it is nearly impossible to move closer," the female stated while trying to get closer but the cold prevented her from wanting to move closer.
Ash and Dawn looked over to their friends and started to wonder what was going on, "Team Plasma is responsible for this act?" Ash whispered in hopes that the people didn't hear him, he watched the TV and saw a ship leaving the area, 'yeah that was Team Plasma, but since when did they have an air ship?' Ash wondered, an eerie silence filled the air as the group of four thought about what they had seen.
Hugh switched the TV off and turned around, "it seems like they might be heading back into this direction," Hugh commented while starting to show more concern for the people in Nuvema Town, "Bianca lives in that town and from what I remember so does Hilda and Hilbert," Hugh explained as he placed his left hand over his mouth, he began to think about the possibility of another fight against Team Plasma, "the other thing Team Plasma could be doing is trying to lure us four out," Hugh stated with concern.
"Yeah but, what if this trap is a way to take over the Unova region?" Rosa asked in a panic.
Ash looked over to Dawn and nodded calmly, "well either way, we still need to stop Team Plasma, if not then everyone will be ruled by them," Ash replied solemnly. Ash walked to the exit of the medical facility leaving Hugh, Rosa and Dawn to think about what he was planning.
"Dawn, you know him better than us, what do you think he is going to do?" Hugh asked the older teen with a look of uncertainty.
"He is going to be himself, not a good thing," Dawn replied with a cheeky smile.
Rosa started to get concerned about Dawn's reply, "what do you mean Dawn?" Rosa questioned her friend.
Dawn started to laugh as she remembered the times she was saved by Ash, "well for one Ash is a very reckless person, one of my friends has told me how reckless he really is," Dawn replied, these words left Rosa more concerned about her friend, "no need to worry, Ash would do anything to make me cry," Dawn assured the brunette. Dawn followed Ash with Piplup and Pikachu following her, even then she was uncertain as to what was going to happen, 'Ash, I know what you're planning, please don't do anything to make me sad again,' Dawn thought to herself as she followed Ash towards the gym, the bluenette looked back and watched her friends following her towards the gym.
Ash wondered what to do about Team Plasma, 'so they seem to be making their final move,' Ash thought, he looked up to the sky to see the sun setting over the horizon, enjoying the tropical air and the gentle breeze that came from the east.
Dawn approached Ash as he was walking to the gym, "so Ash, you going to face the gym leader?" Dawn asked quietly, Ash nodded in reply as he looked back to see Rosa and Hugh walking up to him, "remember, these two want their last badge as well," Dawn chimed.
"Alright, let's get our last badge," Ash decreed as he walked up to the gym leader's building.
The group walked into the gym ready to face Marlon, Hugh and Rosa stood on either side of Ash while Dawn took a seat to watch the battle with Piplup and Pikachu, "so they are going to face the final gym together, this battle will be great," Dawn declared with great excitement.
Ash, Rosa and Hugh pulled out their respective Pokeballs ready to face the gym leader togetherm Marlon chose his three pokemon, "alright, go, Gyrados, Mantine and Jellicent," Marlon called out his three pokemon.
The trio looked at the three blue pokemon and smirked, Ash threw out his pokeball to call out his only pokemon for the battle, "Zoroark, I choose you," Ash call his pokemon out.
"Zebstrika, it's show time," Rosa called for her zebra pokemon for the battle.
"Chandelure, time to battle," Hugh called out his pokemon.
"Um Hugh, why did you call out a Chandelure, you know that pokemon is bad against water types," Rosa pointed out with a shocked expression.
"Don't concern yourself about my Chandelure, it will be plenty strong enough to help with our victory," Hugh retorted confidently.
"Alright you two, we need to work as a team, I am using one of my least trained pokemon, so keep on your toes," Ash explained to the duo while looking over to his trusty dark type pokemon, Ash waited for the first move to be made by the gym leader while his pokemon waited as well, the teammates stood and waited for the battle to start.
"The battle between the gym leader and the three challengers will now begin," the referee stated.
"Alright let's start things off with some refreshing water type attacks, Jellicent Water Pulse, Gyrados Aqua Tail and Mantine attack with Bubble Beam." Marlon called for the first strikes of the battle.
"Zoroark dodge the attacks, then use Dark Pulse to defend Zebstrika," Ash ordered his pokemon, knowing that Rosa was the main target of the two more powerful attacks, 'great he is aiming for the biggest threat, an electric type pokemon,' Ash thought, his dark type pokemon formed a sphere before unleashing a powerful wave of dark energy in defence of Rosa's pokemon.
"Chadelure, use Shadow Ball to hit Jellicent," Hugh instructed his ghost type pokemon, after forming a powerful orb the ghost type sent a shattering ghost type move towards the opposing ghost type pokemon.
"Thanks Ash," Rosa replied to Ash's defensive move, she turned her attention to Mantine, and smiled, "Zebstrika, attack with Shockwave," Rosa instructed her pokemon with more confidence.
"Amazing, Ash defended his team mate, allowing her to attack," Marlon complimented his opponents skill, with very little he could do to prevent Shockwave from hitting his Mantine, he turned his attention to Gyrados, "attack with Ice Fang," Marlon instruct his pokemon while pointing towards Ash's Zoroark.
"Dodge it now then use Foul Play," Ash instructed quickly. his dark type pokemon charged towards the incoming water type pokemon, before slamming it with all its might dealing significant damage to the water type pokemon.
The three trainers and their pokemon stood ready to continue the battle, "not bad Ash, it seems that your Zoroark is really strong, I cannot wait to face you at the Unova League," Hugh commented with a smile, "but first things first, we need to win this badge," Hugh stated calmly.
Dawn was watching the three trainers competing for a gym badge, "this is amazing, these three are rivals and yet they are battling the same gym leader like they have battled together before," Dawn said while clenching her fists over her lap, she looked down and started to wonder where her ambitions were taking her, 'I want to get stronger, but how should I do it?' Dawn started to question herself as she looked up to see the six attacks colliding again at the middle of the battlefield, Dawn started to become entranced with the gym battle, it was like the gym battle at Oplucid City, "would I need to get stronger by battling gym leaders?" Dawn asked while a shockwave pushed her off of her seat.
"Zoroark get up!" Ash yelled out in shock.
"Chandelure, are you alright?" Hugh asked his ghost type pokemon in disbelief.
"Zebstrika, you can do it," Rosa called out to her pokemon in hopes that her electric type pokemon.
The three pokemon got back while Marlon was emploring his three pokemon to get up, "man I cannot believe how good these three are," Marlon told himself while, "Gyrados, attack with Bite, Jellicent hit with Shadow Ball and Mantine attack with Wing Attack," Marlon instructed his three pokemon with a competitive grin.
Ash nodded at his teammates and looked over to his Zoroark, "this battle has been fun so far, but now it is time to end it here and now, Zoroark hit Gyrados with Foul Play," Ash commanded his dark type pokemon.
Without anyone knowing Viticini placed its hand on the dark type pokemon increasing its attack power much to everyones surprise Zoroark knocked out the water type, 'but how, even I know that should been enough to knock out Gyrados,' though while his illusion pokemon landed in front of him as surprised as he was.
"Zebstika, hit Mantine with Thunderbolt," Rosa instructed her pokemon with a grin.
Ash stood back letting the two trainers complete the battle without his assistance, but he was looking around to see where that power increase would have come from, it was then he heard a small pokemon laughing at what had happened, "Victini," Ash whispered, "you two finish up, I want to see why Victini helped me," Ash instructed his friends while recalling his pokemon.
After charging up Zebstrika unleashed a devastating bolt of electricity, hitting the kite pokemon with amazing power, "yes I defeated Mantine," Rosa celebrated while Hugh and his pokemon waited for Jellicent to make their move. Rosa looked over her shoulder to see Ash approaching the corner of the gym, 'yeah I would like to know why Victini helped him out, it wasn't like he needed,' Rosa thought as a loud explosion pushed her off the challenger's podium.
Hugh was smiling from ear to ear enjoying the battle he was having, "good, this was what I was hoping for," Hugh complied while Rosa looked at him with a smile.
Meanwhile Ash was looking around to try and find the mythical pokemon, "you know Victini, following me is one thing, but helping me win is just wrong, I could have handled that battle with my three friends," Ash explained to the fire type pokemon.
Dawn got out of her seat to see what Ash talking to, "Ash, are you talking to Victini?" Dawn asked quietly.
Ash nodded and pointed to the corner of the room, "I know you are there Victini, there is no need to hide from me," Ash stated while kneeling down.
Back at the battle Hugh and Marlon were at the final stages of the battle, "Jellicent attack with Hydro Pump," Marlon instructed his pokemon to attack.
While the floating pokemon prepared a powerful stream of water, Hugh was waiting for the chance to counter attack, "dodge at the last moment, then use Shadow Ball to finish this battle," Hugh ordered his pokemon with great confidence.
The powerful stream of water pushed through the air effortlessly, heading towards the fire/ghost type pokemon, as the water attack missed the fire type pokemon, at that moment a shadowy orb formed over the ghost type pokemon, the orb was fired at the opposing pokemon, the contact pused water out of the pool and dealing immense damage to the final pokemon of the battle.
Marlon watched in horror as his three pokemon were all knocked out without him knocking out a single one of team in front of him, "well it seems like you three have earned the final badge," Marlon declared while the referee shook his head.
"The previous two left the podium, so they also…"the umpire started before being interrupted.
"No, I disagree, they won fair and square, they have earned the right to the wave badge," Marlon replied while walking up to Hugh and Rosa with their respective badges. Waiting for Ash who had turned around, it was at that moment Victini appeared on his shoulder, "so that was the little guy that helped you in the battle," Marlon enquired with a smile.
"Yeah, I know, I never really asked for the help," Ash replied with a feeling of dissatisfaction.
"You would have won anyway, if you used your Pikachu or from what I have heard your amazingly powerful pokemon, I would have easily lost," Marlon explained while presenting a third badge to Ash.
Ash reluctantly grabbed the badge, he looked at it for a moment and smiled, "thanks Marlon," Ash replied while celebrating with his two other friends.
Dawn was standing back with a proud smile on her face, it was then she had noticed that Victini had disappeared again, 'I am proud of you Ash, but I think I know the next course of action for me, I will head to Hoenn on day and compete in the contests there, but if Kalos has contest then there is no need to worry, plus I think I will challenge the gyms and compete against Ash,' Dawn told herself, "it should be fun too, and it will be a challenge worth facing as well," Dawn told herself while her friends and Ash looked over after hearing the comment from the bluenette.
"What will be fun Dawn?" Ash asked curiously.
"When we go to Kalos, I will challenge you Ash, at the Kalos League," Dawn replied with a confident smile.
"But what about your contests?" Ash asked in shock.
Dawn turned around with a smile on her face, "what's the matter Ash? You scared you might lose to your future wife," Dawn teased Ash with a wink.
"Not a chance, I will defeat and all incoming challenges," Ash replied with a frown, he looked to the ground knowing that Dawn was going to be his next rival.
"Come on guys we need to celebrate your victory," Dawn chimed proudly, she rushed out of the gym with the other girl following her excited about the celebration that they were about to have.
Hugh placed his right hand on Ash's shoulder, "so you intend to have as many rivals as possible, you have become a very greedy person Ash," Hugh chuckled at his rival and friend, "Rosa and I have gotten stronger, but we also know that we aren't at your level yet," Hugh professed with pride as he walked pass the trainer, "but that will not stop us from trying our best, I guess that is what Dawn is seeking as well, you're a luck man to have her," Hugh said while exiting the gym.
Ash was last at the Pokemon Center thinking about the challenge that was placed in front of him, he exhaled heavily hoping that Dawn was joking, he knew that Dawn had a sense of humour, but there were times that when Dawn said something, she meant it, "but on the other hand she is a determined girl," Ash reminded himself while looking up to see the bluenette placing an order for food.
Meanwhile outside a group of men wearing black were looking out the window to find the four targets, "sirs they are in the Pokemon Center, they seem to be celebrating," the Team Plasma member stated while watching from the outside.
"Their celebrations will be short lived, it is almost time to lure those four into our trap, go make sure they come to us," The leader of the Shadow Triad instructed the Plasma grunt with a serious tone, he looked back to see Colress preparing the next stages of the plan.
"So you think they will fall for it?" the second member of the Shadow Triad enquired with a smirk.
The leader nodded with supreme confidence, it was then he watched his subordinate approaching the building, "our mission needs to succeed, Master Ghetsis is after one of the two dragons, that young man has one of them," the master of the Shadow Triad explained while more members of Team Plasma started to surround the medical facility.
Inside the building unbeknownst to the celebrating four trainers of the danger set to befall them, it was a time of joy, Ash started drinking his cola while everyone was drinking their respective drinks, "on wards to the Unova League," Ash raised his glass.
"Yes Ash, when I get there I will be waiting for our battle," Hugh replied with a confident smile.
"And I will do my best no matter, wanting to make myself proud of my achievements," Rosa raised her glass.
"For me, I will do my very best to cheer Ash on to victory," Dawn declared with a proud smile.
Ash turned his attention to Dawn, "can I have a word in private Dawn?" Ash asked his soon to be wife.
As the couple got out of their seats the lights suddenly turned off, the back-up generators kicked in but soon failed causing panic in the Pokemon Center, Nurse Joy tried to calm people down but, she remained nervous for the pokemon in her care, Ash closed his eyes and started to scan the area around him, it was then he noticed six people who were out of place, "Rosa, Hugh Dawn, Pikachu and Piplup, I know what's going on, it's Team Plasma," Ash called out to his friends, he rushed to the exit of the building with Dawn, Hugh and Rosa close behind, it was then they found themselves surrounded by a group of Plasma grunts, the four pulled out their pokeballs ready to face them in battle.
"I wouldn't try that if I were you, unless you want something bad to happen to the people inside the Pokemon Center," one of the Shadow Triad stated with a smirk, but Ash was no longer in the mood to take in the threats of Team Plasma, but before he could charge into battle his Pikachu was caught in a trap while Dawn, Hugh and Rosa were knocked out by another two members of the Shadow Triad.
Ash looked back and noticed the two members laughing at him, "what do you want from us?" Ash asked in anger; before being knocked out himself by the leading Shadow Triad behind him, the man who had hit him from behind looked down to see the group of four resting on the ground.
"Take them to the ship, place them in separate areas and take their pokemon away from them," the Plasma scientist instructed the members of Team Plasma, the members of Team Plasma picked up the four and walked away from the site that was the cause of such commotion, "now our plans will begin with these four trainers," Colress stated while grinning at them.
A short lived Victory, now Ash, Dawn, Rosa and Hugh have been captured by Team Plasma, what is the major plan that Team Plasma has for them? And Will Victini be of any assistance?
Next time chapter 27: final showdown PT1