28. Nerves Of Steel

Chapter 28. Nerves Of Steel.


Summary. Ash prepared for his match with Steven, while Jim made it through to the next round of matches, defeating Faith.


"Let's see." Ash said. "Who am I going to start off with?"

"If you haven't worked it out by now." May replied. "You might have problems."

"I'm just trying to decide whether I have the right Pokemon." Ash said.

"You might just have to go with it." May suggested. "You have enough to get past Steven."

"Thanks, I do." Ash said.

"Now can you not do this in the middle of the night again?" May asked. "I want to sleep."

"Sorry." Ash said, but May had rolled over and started snoring. "Jeez, you sound worse than a Snorlax."

Ash considered doing something to her, momentarily, but decided against it, as she might turn violent. There had been an incident a few nights ago, where he had decided to tickle her feet as a joke, while she was asleep, and she had punched him.


"I think you went a little overboard." Cynthia remarked.

"Me?" Olly said. "I was just trying to find a peaceful solution."

"You floored his Garchomp."

"If anyone asks, I thought it was wild."

"You purposely ordered your Dragonite to knock it out of the sky."

"My Dragonite is very territorial." Olly insisted. "I'm just helping him cope with captivity."

"That's crap."

"Yeah, but it's the sort of crap people might believe, and besides, you were going to beat the snot out of him."

"I was not."

"Yeah, yeah. You were about to threaten him with death."

"And you weren't?"

"No, I was only going to order Dragonite to attack him if he attacked us."

"Which he could have."

"Oh come on." Olly said. "Elias Mao is a fine trainer, but if he had attacked, do you really think that he would have beaten both of us?"

Cynthia thought about it for a moment. "I suppose not."

"Relax. I wasn't about to let anything happen to you."

"What does that mean?" Cynthia snarled. "I don't need your protection."

"Calm down." Olly said. "If you had attacked Elias, he would probably have got you kicked out of the cup. And you know what that means? It means that he is scared you might beat him."


Ash awoke, wondering about his battle.

Seriously though. Is Steven really that much better then me? He has more experience, but that can only count for so much. And here comes the point where I want to win. Sometimes sheer minded will to win can over come skill, and I have plenty of that.

Ash felt May move, he could feel the warmth of her skin. He was so much in love with her. The way she moved, the way she breathed. Not so mmuch the way she snored, but that was the only negative.

As much as I want to, I have to focus on my battle today. She'll understand.

He quietly got out of bed, and started to get dressed.

"Come on Pikachu." He said. "Let's go get something to eat."


"Commmmmmmmmbuskennnnnnnnn!"

"Hey, you like the pie, I take it." Jim said, as he gave his Combusken some pie. "Well, I promised you it, so enjoy it."

Combusken affectionately pecked him.

"Hey, Jim." Ash shouted, as he walked in.

"Morning." Jim replied.

"Well done on getting through." Ash said.

"Thank you." Jim answered. "It was what happened afterwards that annoyed me."

"Go on."

"Elias showed up, and contributed to an argument. It wasn't pleasant."


"Why do you and Cynthia dislike each other so much?" Faith asked.

"It really is a long story." Elias replied. "It started several years ago."

The recently crowned Sinnoh champion had beaten the previous three members of the Elite Four, with ease. Aaron, Bertha and Flint had all fallen to her power. Their most powerful Pokemon all defeated. Aaron's Beautifly. Bertha's Hippowdon and Flint's Infernape.

"And now with the anticipation at a fever pitch, the silent but deadly Cynthia Jacobs takes on the last of the Elite Four. Give a big hand for the one and only, Lucian Mao."

Lucian emerged from the background to thunderous applause. None more so than from his eight year old son.
"Thank you. Thank you." He said. "Now, let's get this over quickly, so I can get back to my book."

"You would rather read than battle?" Cynthia asked.

"Of course." Lucian replied. "Why not. Both are inextricably linked. To do both requires a sense of personal satisfaction, and faith in your own abilities. Isn't that what we all strive for?"

"Perhaps." Cynthia said. "But I'd be content with winning at this moment in time."

"Then, I am afraid that you will leave here feeling sad. They say I am the strongest of the Sinnoh Elite Four, and I am afraid that I will have to go all out to prove that to you."

"Bring it on."

"Each trainer can use six Pokemon each, and the battle will be over when all of a trainers Pokemon are unable to battle."

"Mr. Mime, psych." Lucian said, throwing a Pokeball.

"Go, Gastrodon." Cynthia shouted.

"So what was wrong with that?" Faith asked, as she sat on the chair in Elias' room. "A powerful trainer challenging a family member to a battle. It shouldn't result in so much hate."

"Yeah, but all my life I grew up with the image that my Dad was indestructible. Both at battling, and in everyday life."

"Most children do."

"But Cynthia ripped my ideology out right there."

"After a brief battle, Lucian has two Pokemon left, while Cynthia still has five. This could be quite a shock if Lucian is defeated this easily."

"No..." The eight year old Elias said, in shock, as Cynthia's Spiritomb downed his father's Alakazam. The Alakazam that was his friend. "What's happening?"

"Lucian has one Pokemon left. Will it be his famous Bronzong?"

"Bronzong, psych." Lucian said, sending out his signature Pokemon.

"I think this might be the perfect battle for Garchomp." Cynthia grinned. "Battle Dance."

"It was unreal how quickly her Garchomp defeated Bronzong. Especially when it used Giga Impact to finish it off. My Dad was crushed by the defeat, and I've never recovered from the trauma of seeing that happen. He just looked exhausted. I've tried to become as powerful as possible, because one day, I want to do to Cynthia what she did to my Dad."

"Really?" Faith asked. "Is that why you seem determined to win, and let people know who your Dad is?"

"Yes. The upcoming battle against her is my chance."


"Here, take a look at this." Brock said, to Max. He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a photo of his family.

"Is this why you called me over here?" Max asked.

"Look, about our conversation yesterday. Despite what you say, Max, I know that you care about your sister, and don't want her to be hurt."

"What's your point?" Max asked guardedly.

"Look, I have a lot of brothers and sisters." Brock said. "I want them to stay safe, but I also want them to be happy. If Ash makes May happy, then you should throw out your misgivings."

Max thought about it. Brock was right, as usual.

"Fine." He replied. "I guess you're right."

"It usually happens with affairs of the heart." Brock said.

"Hey what happened to that girl, Helena?" Max asked. "The one I helped you get."
"Erm, she dumped me and said she never wanted to see me again."

"Unlucky."

"I know." Brock shouted. Then, after calming down a bit. "Let's get over and watch Ash's battle."

"Sounds good to me."


"Ladies and gentlemen. We have a highly anticipated match here. Two powerful trainers. There can only be one winner. The pride of Pallet, the master of the impossible, Ash Ketchum."

The crowd applauded for Ash. May, Brock, Max, Delia and Silver among them.

"And now. A trainer whose name is on everyone's lips. The stone cold adventurer, the master of Mosdeep City, the collector of stones. Steven Stone!"

There was a much higher round of applause for the former Hoenn champion.

"Each trainer can use six Pokemon each. Substitutions are allowed. We will have a break when three of a trainers Pokemon are unable to battle. The battle ends when all six are unable to battle. This battle will start on a rock battlefield."

The stage shuddered as rocks and dirt burst from the stage.

"Trainers, pick your first Pokemon."

"Steelix, I choose you."

The crowd gasped in awe, as Steven sent out the giant metal snake.

"An intimidating choice from Stone, and what will Ketchum do to counter."

"Chimchar, I choose you." Ash yelled.

His Chimchar appeared.

"Ketchum selects Chimchar to start his battle. If size counted, then Chimchar would be already defeated."

"Chimchar, Flamethrower!" Ash yelled.

Chimchar opened its mouth, and fired a burst of fire at Steelix.

"Sandstorm." Steven casually ordered.

Steelix waved its tail, and kicked up a curtain of sand to deflect the attack.

"Dig."

As the sand vanished, Ash noticed Steelix vanish under the ground.

"Be careful." He shouted to Chimchar. "It could come up anywhere."

Right on cue, Steelix burst from the ground underneath Chimchar. The screaming Chimchar was thrown into the air.

"Come back down with Flame Wheel!" Ash yelled.

Chimchar covered itself in flames, before spinning towards Steelix.

"Stop it with Dragonbreath." Steven said.

Steelix fired a thick beam of energy from its mouth, and stopped the attack. Chimchar was badly hurt by the beam.

"Chimchar!" Ash yelled. "Use Flamethrower."

"Avoid it with Dig."

Chimchar fired more flames at Steelix, who evaded it with ease.

"This is getting desperate for Ketchum. Chimchar has failed to hit Steelix, while taking heavy damage from the Iron Snake."

"Chimchar, Dig." Ash screamed. "Go after Steelix."

Chimchar burrowed under the ground.

The crowd waited anxiously, until something came crashing out of the ground.

Chimchar was thrown into the air again.

"Looks like going toe to toe with a much larger opponent under the ground wasn't such a smart move after all."

"Chimchar." Ash said. "Can you move?"

Chimchar managed to hop to its feet.

"Steelix, use Bind."

Steelix emerged, and wrapped Chimchar in its tail.

"Steelix has Chimchar trapped, and unable to move."

"Chimchar, return." Ash shouted, trying to recall it.

As the beam failed to connect with Chimchar, Ash had a horrible recollection of what had happened in his first ever gym battle.

"You haven't raised it very well." Brock said, as Onix crushed Pikachu in its tail. "You should know that electric attacks can't hurt Onix's hard stone body."

Ash held up the Pokeball with the lightning bolt on. "Pikachu, return."

The beam harmlessly bounced off Onix.

"It's no good." Ash realised. "I can't call it back."


In the stand, Brock was having the same memories. "Ash has been in this situation before."

"Well, he can get out of it the same way now, as he did then." May said. "How did he overcome it?"

"He surrendered."

"Let's hope he doesn't do that then." Max remarked, sarcastically.


"Steelix, apply more pressure."

Steelix squeezed harder, causing Chimchar to cry out in pain.

"Chimchar!" Ash shouted, as he tried to think of a plan. "Use Flame Wheel."

Chimchar closed its eyes, and started to cover itself in flames. Steelix roared, as its metal body was scorched by being in close proximity to the attack.

"Let it go!" Steven yelled, suddenly worried about his Pokemon.

Steelix tried to throw Chimchar away, but the small monkey clung on.

"Now, use Fury Swipes."
Chimchar jumped at Steelix's face, and started to scratch away.

"Steelix is taking some damage from Chimchar, and Steven suddenly looks insecure."
"Finish it off with Fire Spin."
Chimchar fired a powerful column of fire at Steelix, who roared in agony, before crashing to the ground.
"Steelix is unable to battle. Chimchar is the winner."

"Ketchum managed to turn it around, despite his Chimchar taking huge damage from Steelix."

"Thank you Steelix." Steven said, as he recalled the giant snake. "You were excellent."


Ash's friends and family in the crowd breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Excellent technique." Silver remarked. "I have to admit."

"That's our boy." Delia said, with a smile.


"You have done well." Steven admitted. "But will your Chimchar be able to stop this?"

"I can defeat anything you put in front of me." Ash replied.

"Omastar, go."

Steven sent out the large blue and cream Pokemon with the spikes on the shell, and the powerful beak.

"This isn't your battle, Chimchar." Ash said. "Return."

Ash recalled Chimchar to the safety of its Pokeball.

"Okay." He shouted. "Lucario, I choose you."

Ash sent Lucario out.

"Ketchum sends out Lucario. A fighting and steel type to take on a rock and water Pokemon."

"Omastar, Hydro Pump."

"Counter with Force Palm."

Omastar powered a torrent of water at Lucario, who stopped it with a powerful thrust on its hand.

"Spike Cannon."

Omastar fired several spikes from its shell.

"Stop them with Aura Sphere!"

Lucario fired a sphere of energy into the air, stopping the attack.

"Now, use Bone Club."

Lucario created a staff of energy, and swung it into Omastar.

"Iron Defense."

Omastar started to glow with a bright light, as the attack bounced off.

"Lucario, Dragon Pulse."

Lucario held both its arms in front of it, and started to create energy.

"Why not." Steven remarked. "We'll use Hydro Pump."

Lucario fired a vortex of blue grey energy at Omastar, who fired another powerful blast of water at Lucario. The two attacks met in the middle of the arena. Instead of exploding, the Hydro Pump went straight through the Dragon Pulse and smashed Lucario into some rocks. The Pulse then fizzled out.

"Omastar, Spike Cannon."

Omastar fired several spikes into Lucario, knocking it out.

"Lucario is unable to battle. Omastar is the winner."


"I don't get what happened." May said.

"When Lucario uses an attack involving Aura, it has to keep concentrating until the attack hits." Brock explained. "When it was hit with the Hydro Pump, it lost focus."

"This seems to be wide open." Silver remarked.


"Lucario return." Ash said. "Thank you, pal."

"Now what are you going to do?" Steven grinned.

Ash turned to Pikachu. "Pikachu, get in there."

Pikachu jumped into the arena, sparks flowing from its cheeks.

"Ketchum has selected Pikachu for the next battle. As it has a type advantage over Omastar, Ketchum is hoping that it might be enough."

"But so did Lucario." Brock remarked.

"Omastar, Hydro Pump."

Omastar fired a powerful blast of water.

"Agility." Ash yelled.

Pikachu managed to avoid the attacks with ease.

"Now use Thunderbolt."

Pikachu fired a blast of electricity at Omastar, who took the attack with ease.

"Rock Blast."

Omastar fired several rocks at Pikachu, who was hurt by the attack.

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!" Ash shouted.

Pikachu jumped back up, and into the air. Its tail started to glow with a white light, before it was slammed down on Omastar.

"Now use Thunder."

Pikachu zapped Omastar with a more powerful blast of electricity. It seemed to do more damage.

"Take this." Steven said. "Rollout."

Omastar rolled into a ball, and charged at Pikachu.

"Counter it with Volt Tackle."

Pikachu covered itself in electricity, and streaked across the ground at the oncoming Omastar.

"Now, use Spike Cannon while rolling."
Omastar fired several spikes from its shell, while rolling. The attack forced Pikachu to stop using Volt Tackle. The stunned Pikachu was then flattened by the rolling Omastar.

"Pikachu!" Ash shouted, as the yellow mouse flopped to the ground.

"Pikachu is unable to battle. Omastar is the winner."

Ash couldn't believe it. That Omastar was powerful, and now he was really regretting not bringing a grass type with him.


"Poor Pikachu." Max said.

As they were sitting in the front row, they soon saw Ash come over to them with Pikachu.

"Take care of him." Ash said, giving Pikachu to May.

"Good luck." May said, as she leaned over and kissed him.

"He's going to need it."


"What will Ketchum do now he has lost two Pokemon to Omastar?"

"Corphish, I choose you."

Ash sent out his Corphish, who clicked its claws.

"Corphish?" Steven said. "I see. Continue the Rollout."

Omastar continued to roll around the arena, heading for Corphish.

"Protect!" Ash yelled.

Corphish covered itself in a green energy bubble, stopping the attack.

"Now, use Crabhammer."

Corphish jumped on Omastar, and started hammering away.

"Spike Cannon."

As Corphish hit Omastar, it replied by shooting several spikes into Corphish's stomach.

"Cooooooooorphhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisshhhhhhhhhhh" Corphish screamed, as it was thrown across the arena.

"Now, use Hydro Pump."

Omastar aimed a powerful blast of water at Corphish.

"Counter with Bubblebeam."

Corphish managed to get up and fire several bubbles from one of its claws, stopping the attack.

"Omastar, Spike Cannon."

Omastar fired several more spikes at Corphish.

"Harden."

As Corphish stiffened its body, the spikes bounced off.

"Now, use Crabhammer."

Corphish jumped on Omastar, and hit it between the eyes. Omastar screeched, and fainted.

"Omastar is unable to battle. Corphish is the winner."

Ash, and the crowd breathed a sigh of relief, as Steven recalled Omastar.

"A stellar job, my friend." He said. "You were formidable."

Steven grinned. "Now, Ash, prepare for this. Magnezone, go."


Max quickly checked Magnezone on his Pokedex.

"Corphish has no chance." He exclaimed. "It's part electric type."


"Corphish, return." Ash said.

"Ketchum opts to recall Corphish."

"Chimchar, I choose you."

Ash sent Chimchar back out.

"Chimchar is the Pokemon selected to take down Magnezone. However, it still looks exhausted from the battle with Steelix."

"Chimchar, Flamethrower."

Chimchar fired a burst of flames at Magnezone.

"Protect."

Magnezone surrounded itself in a blue bubble, avoiding damage.

"Now, use Lock On."

Magnezone took aim at Chimchar.

"Uh oh." Ash said. "Dig."

Chimchar dived under the ground.

"Zap Cannon."

Magnezone fired a green ball of electricity down the hole Chimchar of which Chimchar had just vanished.

A few seconds later, there was a muffled explosion, and Chimchar was thrown from the ground again. This time, it didn't get up.

"Chimchar is unable to battle. Magnezone is the winner."

"Chimchar just ran out of fire. Now, with Chimchar, Lucario and Pikachu defeated for Ketchum, it is time for a fifteen minute break."

Ash recalled Chimchar, and headed downstairs.


"I didn't know how powerful Steven actually was." Brock said. "His Pokemon are well trained."

"But so are yours." May remarked.

"Are they strong enough though?"

"Ash." Brock said. "You still have Corphish, Donphan and Charizard, so they could prove to be your advantage, because all are strong against Steven's Pokemon."

"I just hope he doesn't have something else like Omastar lined up." Ash replied. "Because, then I might be in trouble."

"I would guess that he has his Aggron with him." Brock said. "But, for his other two, I don't know."

"You can do it." May cheered. "Now get out there, and win."


"This battle is now going to be resumed on a grass battlefield."

"Magnezone, back out." Steven said.

"Donphan, I choose you." Ash said.

Ash sent out Donphan, who clawed the ground.

"An excellent choice." Steven remarked. "Magnezone, Sonic Boom."

Magnezone fired a blast of air at Donphan.

"Defense Curl."

Donphan curled into a ball, and avoided taking damage.

"Rollout."

Donphan rolled at Magnezone, and landed a direct hit.

Magnezone didn't look badly hurt though.

"Magnet Bomb."

Magnezone fired a steel ball at Donphan, which exploded on contact, sending Donphan flying.

"Strike back with Take Down."

Donphan jumped up, and smashed Magnezone to the ground.

"Great hit." Ash shouted. "Now, use Earthquake."

Donphan smashed the ground with its front paws, and sent a powerful shock wave at the grounded Magnezone. Magnezone wailed, a horrible haunting sound, as it fainted.

"Magnezone is unable to battle. Donphan is the winner."

The crowd cheered, as Steven recalled Magnezone.

"Not bad." He admitted. "Aggron, go."

Steven sent out Aggron, silencing the crowd.

"Oh crap, Steven sends out a scary looking Aggron, and I'm actually a little scared."


"I mean, I know that trainers constantly seek out a challenge, in looking to beat trainers better than them." Elias said. "The thing was though, with Cynthia, she wasn't just looking to defeat her opponents Pokemon, she was looking to destroy her opponent psychologically.

"Meaning?" Faith asked.

"He never recovered."

"Morning Dad." The ten year old Elias said, as his father came downstairs. His purple hair was a mess, and he looked like he hadn't slept for weeks. He wore nothing but an old red robe, and carried a cigarette in one hand.

Lucian grunted in response, as he sat down.

"Did you sleep well?"

Another grunt.

"Leave your father alone." His mother said. "He didn't sleep well."

"I start my journey soon." Elias remarked. "Do you have any advice?"

"Leave me alone." Lucian muttered. "You don't learn anything from others. You gain everything yourself, and someone comes along and pisses on everything you think you know."

Elias decided to leave, as the rants could get pretty bitter.

He walked into the kitchen, where his mother was crying again.

"Why did this have to happen?" She was whispering over and over.

"Is Dad ever going to return to normal?" He asked.

"I don't know!" His mother said, stubbing a cigarette out on a plate. "Why did this happen to us? We were such a perfect family."

"What is wrong with him?"

"Nothing's wrong with me, you little sneak" Lucian shouted. "Why can't you people just leave me alone."

"Because we're your family." Elias' mother screamed. "And we love you."

"I don't need your love." Lucian bellowed, slamming his fist into the wall. "Get the fuck out of my life, I don't need you."

When neither Elias or his mother moved, Lucian picked up a bottle and smashed it on the wall.

"I mean it!" He said. "I don't ever want to see either of you again."

"But I saw Lucian on the TV recently." Faith protested. "He looked fine."

"He eventually sought help." Elias replied. "After a week of drinking, the Pokemon League told him to sort his life out, or be kicked out of the Elite Four. He saw the light, and returned to normal. However, it destroyed some of my life with him. I loved my Dad, and basically when he told my Mother and I to get out, it broke her heart. We moved to Veilstone City, but she died a few months later. After the funeral, I got my first Pokemon and started my trail of vengeance."

"Vengeance is a funny thing." Faith said. "It can start out slowly before taking over your life. It can consume you, make you filled with hate. And you know what?"

"What?"

"It makes no difference. Say you beat Cynthia. Then what. Your life won't return to normal, or the time you lost won't return. You've spent most of your time training, hoping to take the most painful course of revenge on someone you barely know. And you know what? You could have spent it trying to reconnect with Lucian."

"I just..."

"It'd make no difference to Cynthia if you beat her here. She'd shrug it off and go home. You can't make her feel what you have for however long you've been hurt, so don't try."

"Sorry." Elias replied. "I've taken it too far to let it slide."

"What would your mother want?"

"I'm pretty sure she'd want to be alive." Elias shouted.

"Do you honestly think that she would want her only son to turn into a hollow shell that lives for nothing, but revenge?"
"I..."


"The bigger they are, the harder they fall." Ash said, confidently. "Take Down."

Donphan charged at Aggron. Steven didn't give it an order.

Donphan crashed into Aggron, but the large rock and steel type failed to register any sign of pain.

"Unsurprisingly, that failed to harm Aggron."

"My turn." Steven said, simply. "Use your own Take Down."

Aggron charged at Donphan, and knocked it across the grass.

"Hyper Beam." Steven yelled.

Aggron opened its mouth, and fired a beam of pure orange light at Donphan. It took the full force of the attack.
"Donphan!" Ash shouted, as his Pokemon crashed to the ground. Donphan didn't get up.

"Donphan is unable to battle. Aggron is the winner."

Ash felt sick, as he recalled Donphan.

I have to save Charizard for last. Corphish might be able to take Aggron down.

"I choose you, Corphish."


"The end is nearing." Brock said.

"You can do it." May said, jittering around.


"Aggron can't move yet." Ash said. "So start with a Bubblebeam."
Corphish opened its claws and fired a stream of bubbles, that caused tremendous pain to Aggron.

"Take Down." Steven ordered, angrily.

Aggron charged at Corphish.

"Protect."

Aggron slammed into the protective barrier, hurting itself.

"Crabhammer."

Corphish's claw started to glow, as it brought it down on Aggron's skull.

"Aggron, Focus Punch."

Aggron charged a powerful punch up.

"Use Bubblebeam."

Corphish blasted Aggron with bubbles. Aggron roared in pain.

"Corphish, use Bubblebeam again."

"Aggron, Hyper Beam."

Aggron raised its head and fired another blast of orange energy at Corphish, before succumbing to the bubbles. Corphish was struck by the attack, and knocked out.

"Both Aggron and Corphish are unable to battle."

The crowd went quiet in amazement.

Steven started to laugh.

"You have lost." He said, taking a Pokeball from his coat. "Skarmory, go."

Steven sent out the silver bird, who landed on the grass.

"I refuse to lose." Ash replied. "Charizard, I choose you."

Ash sent out the powerful orange lizard.

"Just like your friend." Steven said. "You shall suffer the same fate."

"Begin!"

"Charizard, flamethrower."

Charizard fired a burst of white hot fire at Skarmory.

"Dodge it with Fly."

Skarmory flew into the sky, avoiding the attack.

"After it!"

Charizard flew after Skarmory.

"Grab it."

Charizard grabbed Skarmory.

"Use Seismic Toss."

Charizard started to fly quickly, before spinning round and round. It then threw Skarmory to the grass.

"And finish it off with Flamethrower!"

Charizard flew through the air, and covered Skarmory with a powerful blast of fire, that knocked it out.

"Skarmory is unable to battle. Charizard is the winner."

The crowd roared with excitement, as Charizard struck a victory pose.

"And both trainers are down to their last Pokemon. Charizard has already battled, but failed to take much damage from the battle with Skarmory."

"You might have beaten Skarmory." Steven said. "But now comes the real test, Metagross, let's win this battle."

Steven sent out the blue four legged Pokemon.


"I don't know how my mother would react." Elias said. "You can't judge what a dead person would want or not, so you just have to make the judgement, and hope for the best."

"I think that's crap." Faith replied. "You are trying to become less accountable for your actions."

"What?"

"Saying stuff like it's what my mother would have wanted makes you feel better about yourself, as you take the destructive road. Well, I think you are a moron for doing that."

Faith got up to leave. Elias tried to grab her hand, but she spun and kicked him in the mouth.

"Jesus." He cried.

"That's what you get when my Dad was a marine." Faith said, as Elias clutched his jaw.

"You're crazy." He muttered, as blood ran down his chin."

"You know what else I learned? First Aid. Now let me see that."

Elias grinned. An eerie sight considering he had blood running out of the corner of his mouth.

"You don't have a nurse's uniform, do ya?" He asked.


"This is it." Ash said, quietly. "So let's kick it off with a Flamethrower."

Charizard opened its mouth and blasted a burst of fire at Metagross.

"Light Screen."

Metagross put up a pure yellow shield, that stopped the attack.

"Take Down."

Metagross prepped its jets and launched itself at Charizard.

Charizard roared as it was hit by the powerful attack.

"Charizard, use Fire Spin."

Charizard fired a spinning column of fire at Metagross.

"Evade it."

Metagross flew out of the way.

"Charizard, Steel Wing."

Charizard's wings started to glow with a white light, as it flew at Metagross.

"Meteor Mash."

Metagross swing one of its forelegs at Charizard, and caused some heavy damage.

"Now use Psychic to throw Charizard."

Metagross' eyes started to glow with a blue light, and it threw Charizard across the grass.

"Charizard!" Ash yelled. "Use Dragonbreath."

A small smile passed across Steven's face, a memory of a previous time perhaps.

"Stop it with Confusion."

Metagross stopped the attack with ease.

"Now fling it at Charizard."

Charizard roared again, as it was hit with its own attack.

"Charizard, fly into the air, and use Flamethrower from above."

Charizard flew into the sky.
"After it." Steven ordered.

Metagross prepped its jets and flew after Charizard.

"A little closer." Ash whispered, remembering a gym battle a few years earlier, and also a battle a few days earlier.

"Metagross, Take Down."

Metagross flew at Charizard faster.

"Now, use Flamethrower from behind you."

Charizard sent a stream of fire erupting from its tail, and managed to land a powerful hit on Metagross.

"Now, use Seismic Toss."

Charizard spun and grabbed Metagross. It started to fly faster than anything Ash had ever seen. It circled around the stadium at least sixty times, before finally dragging Metagross towards the surface.

This is it!

Ash was waiting, when he heard Steven give the order. "Psychic."

Almost as quickly as it started, Charizard stopped. Its body flailed, from the sudden impact.

Ash shuddered, as Charizard looked like it was about to be crippled by the shock.

"Now, throw Charizard to the ground." Steven ordered.

Metagross dropped the limp Charizard to the ground.

"Now, finish with Hammer Arm."

Metagross raised one of its huge forearms and dropped towards Charizard.


"No." May whispered.

Max was busy trying not to vomit.

"That was awful." Brock remarked, talking about the injuries Charizard had sustained.

"I just hope it's okay." Delia said, from behind her hands.


"Charizard." Ash called. "Can you move."

Charizard didn't move its body, but flicked its tail. Ash took it as a confirmation.

Metagross continued to drop.

"Then use Flare Blitz."

Charizard flew up and smashed the underside of Metagross. Both Pokemon roared in pain.

Charizard is in serious trouble. I have to do something quick and drastic to finish the battle.

"Use Blast Burn."

Charizard summoned up all the fire in its body, and unleashed it at Metagross.

Metagross made a forlorn wailing sound, as its body was scorched and blackened by the flames.

Ash really hoped that this would work. Charizard looked exhausted.

As the flames cleared, Metagross fell to the ground. It was done for.

"Metagross is unable to battle. Charizard is the winner, and the battle goes to Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town."

Steven looked drained, but seemed quietly relaxed.

Ash instantly ran onto the field to check on Charizard.

"Are you okay?" He asked, tenderley touching Charizard's neck.

Charizards response was to rear its head and bite him.

"Sorry." Ash said, quickly. He took the Pokeball out. "I'll get you to the Pokemon Centre."

He didn't notice the applause for him, as he ran off the field.


Beep. Beep. Beep.

Ash couldn't get used to the Pokemon Centre. He had been in many over the last nine years, but never liked them.

Nurse Joy was just checking over Charizard. Her face had been grave after an initial prognosis.

I hope Charizard is okay. I'll never forgive myself if it's badly hurt.

"That was pathetic." Someone sneered.

Ash looked up and saw Paul coming down the corridor.

"What did you just say?"

"I thought Charizard were meant to be tough." Paul stated, his eyes flashing with malice. "The way your excuse was thrown around by Metagross was laughable."

It didn't take much with Paul, but the anger was rising to the surface, and something snapped inside Ash.

"You know what." He screamed. "My Charizard is badly hurt, Paul. I can put up with your crap other times, but not now, so get the hell out of my face."

Paul smirked. He had gotten a rise out of his rival.

"If your Charizard had a decent trainer who made sure it knew its place, then it wouldn't have been badly hurt. You have nobody to blame but yourself."

Paul strode away, leaving Ash seething with rage.

"Hey Paul." He yelled.

Paul turned his head slightly.

"Go to hell."


Authors Notes. I'm exhausted after writing that, but hey, I think it's pretty good.

The casual mix of battling, and drama. Hell, I'm proud of this chapter.

It's a long one, but before I get a word count, it is probably not long enough to take it to over 100,000 words. If I'm wrong, shoot me.

It is still my longest fic ever though. And my most reviewed. I hit the 150 mark recently, so thanks to everyone who has reviewed, but you know, more are appreciated.

If you want to see a battle between two characters, or just have a suggestion for a sub plot, then put it on a review. I'll consider it.

Still haven't decided who is next, but I'll think of something.

Interesting things about this chapter.

The Elias backstory was written seperately to the battle with Steven Stone.

Steven was going to have a Bastiodon originally, but I didn't put it in. I went for Magnezone instead.

Don't forget to review.