After participating in the Kalos League, Ash decides to go to the Nessada region with his friends. Along the way, they face some unexpected events which will change the life of some of them.
Ch.36: Semi–Final Training
It was a sunny day and Ash decided to train for his semi–final battle tomorrow against Trip. He and Pikachu woke up almost at the same time and immediately went for a quick breakfast. After they ate, they went to the Pokemon Center to call Professor Oak.
"Hello, professor," said Ash as he waved at the professor.
"Hi, Ash," said the professor. "How can I help you?"
"Today we have a day off so I was wondering if you could send me the six Pokemon I'm gonna use against Trip," said Ash.
"Of course, Ash," said the professor. "Which Pokemon you want?"
"I was thinking for Heracross, Emboar, Hawlucha, Gengar, Garchomp and Servine," said Ash.
"Sure thing, Ash," said Professor Oak. "Let me just go get them."
"No problem," said Ash. "I can wait."
After a few minutes, the professor came back with six Pokeballs.
"Here they are, Ash," said the professor happily, but suddenly his smile faded. "However, there appears to be a problem with Servine."
"What kind of a problem," asked Ash.
"It doesn't seem to be in a mood," said Professor Oak. "And that's after you left for Nessada, but it didn't seem to be happy even while you were still here. It's mood changed completely after evolving."
"Don't worry, professor," said Ash. "I'll help Servine with her problem."
"You really think so, Ash," asked the professor.
"Yeah, no need to worry," said Ash. "Servine will be back to her usual mood in no time."
"I'm glad to hear it, Ash," said the professor. "I'll be sending your Pokemon now. By the way, I have to tell you something important. Do you remember when you asked me to trade 10 of your Tauros?"
"Yeah," said Ash. "Why? Is something wrong?"
"Well, I accidentally traded not ten, but twelve of your Tauros and I'm really sorry about that, Ash," apologized the professor.
"So that means I have 18 Tauros now," said Ash. "It's alright, professor. No need to apologize. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time."
"I'm glad you're not mad, Ash," said Professor Oak.
"So what are the two new Pokemon," asked Ash.
"The first is a Dragalge and the other is a Pokemon from the Alola Region," said the professor. "It's called a Primarina."
"Alola Region," asked Ash.
"Yes," nodded the professor. "It's where my cousin works at a school."
"Now that's something you don't hear everyday," said Ash to Pikachu. "By the way, what's a Primarina?"
"Primarina is one of the starter Pokemon trainers can receive," said the professor. "If you're wondering, it's a water/fairy–type. Do you wanna see it?"
"Yes," said Ash. "I love seeing new Pokemon."
"Here's a image of it," said the professor. Ash's eyes sparkled when he saw his new Pokemon. It was a marine Pokémon that resembled a cross between a sea lion and a mermaid. Most of its body was white, but it had a long, fish-like tail. It had a long snout with round, pink nose, bright blue eyes with long white eyelashes, and long light blue hair trailing off the back of its head. A tiara-like structure rested on its forehead, consisting of a line of pearls with a pink sea star at one corner and a thin, transparent blue fin extended back over its hair. Its hair was contained to a ponytail by two strings of pearls. There are three fins similar to the one on its crown on its body: one that drapes around its shoulders and chest, one around its waist where the fishtail begins, and one near the tip of its tail. It had long front fins with three digits. It's long fish tail was bright blue with small pointed, pink fins around its hips. The tip of the tail was white.
"What do you think," asked the professor.
"It looks awesome," said Ash. "Actually, maybe I'll make another switch. I have three fighting–types and Trip has ghost–type Pokemon, like Chandelure. I think I'll switch Emboar for Primarina. I wanna train a Pokemon I see for the first time."
"It sounds reasonable," said the professor. "Not to mention that water – type Pokemon, like Primarina, are strong against fire–types, like Chandelure."
"Trip also has some fighting–types and if I remember correctly, fairy–types are strong against fighting–types," said Ash.
"That's right," said the professor. "And Primarina is your first fairy–type Pokemon."
"So it's something like Pikachu with him being my only electric–type," said Ash.
"Yes," said the professor. "Your Pikachu and Primarina are your only electric and fairy–type Pokemon. I'll send you Primarina now."
It took a few seconds and Ash help Primarina's Pokeball in his hands.
"I got right here," said Ash. "By the way, when did Primarina arrive?"
"I have Emboar and Primarina only arrived yesterday," said the professor.
"That's perfect," said Ash. "I'll be going now. I really gotta train."
"OK, Ash," said professor Oak. "Good luck in your match tomorrow."
"Thanks, professor," said Ash. "Good bye."
After ending his conversation with the professor, Ash went to the battlefield and brought out all Pokemon.
"Alright, everyone, tomorrow we'll be facing Trip and I'll need you to do your best so we can advance to final round," said Ash to his Pokemon who gave thumbs–up, except for Servine. "Gengar, Hawlucha, Heracross and Garchomp, you guys go train. I'll stay here with Primarina and Servine."
The four Pokemon gave nods and went into the nearby wood to practice while Ash stayed with Primarina and Servine.
"Alright, first let's see what's wrong with Servine and then we'll see what kind of moves Primarina knows and with what kind of strategies we can come up with," said Ash to Pikachu as they went to Servine who noticed them approaching.
"Vine," asked Servine.
"Servine, the professor told me that something is troubling you," said Ash. "Tell me what's wrong so I could help you."
"Vine servine," said Servine as she pointed at herself and shook her head.
"You can't use any attacks," asked Ash confused. "Don't worry. Sceptile had the same problem while I was challenging the Kanto Battle Frontier."
"Servine vine servine," said Servine as she once again pointed at herself and shook her head, but this time fired an Energy Ball towards the sky.
"OK," said Ash. "You can still use your attacks, but what's the problem then?"
"Maybe I can help," said a voice behind Ash. He and Pikachu turned around and saw none other than the Nessada Region Champion, Selena.
"Selena, what are you doing here," asked Ash.
"I came to train when I saw you," answered Selena. "It seems there's a problem with your Servine.
"Yeah," said Ash. I really want to help , but I can't understand what it's saying. It keeps pointing at itself and shakes its head."
"I know what the problem is," said Selena. "One of my Pokemon also has the same problem. Your Servine doesn't want to be a Servine anymore."
"Does that mean it wants to evolve into Serperior," asked Ash.
"Not quite," said Selena. "Servine wants to be Snivy again."
"It wants to be a Snivy," asked Ash shocked as he turned his attention to Servine. "Is it true Servine?"
"Ser," nodded Servine.
"Why is that," asked Ash.
"It's usually from a bad experience or disappointing a trainer," said Selena.
"But Servine had never disappointed me," said Ash.
"Maybe deep down Servine felt like it disappointed you," said Selena. "When was the last time you used it in a battle?"
"A few months ago at the Kalos League," answered Ash. "I sent it out to battle Trevor's Marowak who was pretty strong. It had moves like Flamethrower, Ice Beam, Bonemarang and Double–Edge. Servine was defeated, but I was still proud of her."
"So it got defeated by a ground–type," said Selena.
"Yeah," said Ash. "That was Servine's first battle after evolving."
"Did it win any battles while it was a Snivy," asked Selena.
"Yeah," answered Ash. "She managed to defeat Georgia's Pawniard and Iris' Emolga even if Attract didn't work. She also managed to beat Trip's Servine a once. She did pretty well in a double battle against a Heatmor and an Emboar."
"Now I see," said Selena. "Servine wants to be Snivy, because it doesn't feel as strong as when it was a Snivy."
"But how can I help Servine," asked Ash.
"I wish I knew," said Selena. "My Venusaur also has the same problem. It got defeated by a Raichu a few weeks ago. That Raichu was pretty strong. It had powerful attacks like Volt Tackle and Thunder. When it was a Ivysaur, it managed to beat even fire–types. Ever since that loss, Venusaur is not the same it used to be."
"If only there was a way to help Servine," said Ash as tears started to come out from his eyes. This didn't go unnoticed by Servine as she extended one of her vines and put it on Ash's left shoulder. "I'm OK, Servine. I'm sorry I can't help you turn back to Snivy."
"Servine servine," said Servine as she comforted her trainer.
"I know what to do," said Ash. "How about we show Trip and Serperior just how strong you really are? We won't hold back. The score is now even so what do you say we beat Trip's Serperior again?"
"Servine," said Servine as she gave thumbs–ups.
"That's great," said Ash. "I know you love tough opponents. We just underestimated Trevor's Marowak's power. Tomorrow, no–matter what, we will win against Serperior. Don't forget that Pikachu and the others will be cheering for you, right buddy?"
"Pika," said Pikachu as he nodded.
"Prim," said Primarina as it also nodded.
"That's perfect," said Ash. "Now you go train with Pikachu while I train with Primarina." With that, Servine and Pikachu went to the woods and Ash stayed with Primarina and Selena at the battlefield.
"Hey, Ash," said Selena. "Since we're here, why don't we have a training battle?"
"A battle," asked Ash.
"Kabutops, come on out," said Selena as she brought out her Kabutops. "I'll use Kabutops and you'll use Primarina. What do you say?"
"Well, to be honest, this'll be the first I use Primarina in a battle since the professor said it arrived yesterday," said Ash which caused Selena to look at him confused. "I decided to trade 10 of my Tauros, but the professor accidentally traded 12 of them."
"That's an interesting choice," said Selena. "So what do you say? What's better than having a Pokemon battle with your newest Pokemon against a Champion's Pokemon? Of course, this won't be an official battle."
"I accept," said Ash. "Let me just check Primerina's moves. We might come up with some strategies for tomorrow's battle."
It took around two minutes for Ash to bring out his Pokedex to scan Primarina and to check its moves.
"We're ready," said Ash.
"So are we," said Selena.
"Primarina, start with Moonblast," said Ash.
"Kabutops, counter it with Stone Edge," said Selena. Primarina and Kabutops fired their attacks which collided in the middle of the battlefield. "Use X–Scissor."
"Stop it with Psychic," said Ash. Kabutops charged towards Primarina with X–Scissor, but the water/fairy–type managed stop it with Psychic. "Now use Sparkling Aria."
Primarina fired its signature move which struck Kabutops with a direct hit.
"Kabutops, stay strong," said Selena. "Use Stone Edge."
"Primarina, dodge it and use Ice Beam," said Ash. Primarina managed to avoid the rock–type attack and fired its Ice Beam, but Selena had a smirk on her face.
"Kabutops, counter it with Aqua Tail and then use Night Slash," said Selena. Kabutops managed to counter Primarina's Ice Beam with Aqua Tail and landed a direct hit with Night Slash. "Now use X–Scissor."
"Primarina, use Moonblast," said Ash.
"Dodge it Kabutops and switch to Stone Edge," said Selena. Kabutops managed to avoid Moonblast at the last second and fired its Stone Edge which struck Primarina with a direct hit. "Now use Aqua Tail."
"Primarina, stop it with Psychic and then use Sparkling Aria," said Ash. Primarina managed to stop Kabutops with Psychic and landed a direct hit with Sparkling Aria.
"Kabutops, hang in there," said Selena. Kabutops barely managed to stand up, but then it fell on its knees and Selena brought out Kabutops' Pokeball and returned her water/rock–type. "Kabutops, return and take a rest. Sorry for stopping the battle like that, Ash. Kabutops took a lot damage in this battle."
"It's OK, Selena," said Ash. "Your Pokemon's health is your priority. I would do the same thing if Pikachu or some of my other Pokemon were weak to fight. But there's one problem."
"What is it," asked Selena.
"My Pokemon would never let me forfeit a battle, answered Ash. "Especially Charizard and Greninja."
"I figured it out," said Selena. "I saw how those two battle during the tournament. By the way, could you do me a little favor?"
"Sure," nodded Ash. "What is it?"
"Win this tournament, because after I saw the power of your Pokemon I want to battle your strongest Pokemon," said Selena.
"No problem," said Ash. "But I'm not just gonna win the tournament, but I will also defeat you."
"Then let the best trainer win," said Selena as she extended her hand.
"I just want to say that I won't hold back," said Ash as he shook Selena's hand.
"First you'll have to deal with Trip tomorrow and I have the feeling that you'll have to deal with Tobias' legendary Pokemon in the finals," said Selena.
"Don't worry," said Ash. "Me and Greninja won't let Tobias win."
"So you'll be using your Greninja's special form," said Selena. "That's good, because I heard that Tobias' Latios is capable of Mega–Evolution."
"Even better, because Greninja likes to battle tough Pokemon," said Ash.
"Good," said Selena as she started to make her way towards the Pokemon Center to heal up Kabutops. "OK, now. I have to go. I'll leave you train with Primarina. I'll see you tomorrow at the arena. Bye, Ash."
"Bye, Selena," said Ash as he waved her goodbye and when she was out of sight, he turned his attention to his Pokemon who just came back from the woods. "Guys, tomorrow, we'll battle Trip, so let's give it our best," said Ash as all his Pokemon gave thumbs–ups to show that they won't hold back.
(The next day)
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to second match of the semi–final round," said Freddy. "The winner will move on to the final round and will face off against Tobias. No our left side is the trainer who has dominated through the tournament, Ash. And on our right side is trainer who battles without mercy, Trip. We're about to see a really tough battle."
To be continued…
That's all for this chapter. Hope you liked the battle between Ash and Selena. The battle between Ash and Trip will probably be two chapters. I'll see you all next time.
R&R