I thank you all for your feedback and I promise that everything here will become even clearer. I don't have much to say since the Challenge of the Elite Four is halfway done and Shadow Giratina has been unleashed. It's still safe for me to say that it's still not ready to ravage the world yet.
So now, please enjoy…
He stirred, waking up from his exhaustion-induced slumber. Even with his dark eyes closed, he felt his surroundings through body contact upon the bare dirt. Out of instinct, he searched the pockets of his jacket and pants to take account of the Poké Balls of five present Pokémon with him. Wait, five Pokémon?
His eyes snapped wide open in shock, awakening to the nocturnal environment surrounding him. But he did not care. He sat up, searching his person for the missing Poké Ball. It was important to him. He knew that Poké Ball housed his first and his strongest Pokémon to ever travel with him. He swore in his thoughts, frustrated for having searched his entire body for the Poké Ball. He silently fumed, only to have finally noticed a campfire with two people near him.
"So, how was your nap?" one of the campers asked. He was practically the same age as the frustrated one, but with green attire and auburn hair. He also bore a similar resemblance to one he considered his greatest rival.
"Hmph… It's none of your business, see," he replied rudely, having turned it into a habit from seeing that optimistic friendly face at every encounter.
"I wouldn't speak in that tone if I were you, half-pint," the other camper of muscular build said. "After all, we saved you and your Pokémon." His words caught his attention.
"Oh, did you? How nice of you… Where's Torterra's Poké Ball?!"
"Why so serious?" the large man asked, holding up the desired Poké Ball in his hand. He casually tossed it back to its original Trainer. "You know, you should be proud of yourself, kid."
"Hmph, really…"
"Yeah, really," the man said; a grave expression was evident on his stern face. "Kid, it was one thing that you challenged that insane monstrosity, but your Torterra would have died a seriously painful death if we hadn't intervened and treated its wounds. It'll need a week's worth or two to fully recover."
"Listen, you! The name's Paul of Veilstone, get it?" Paul replied irately. "And I didn't ask for anyone's help taking down those pathetic cowards and their entire lab." The man smirked.
"Well, those 'pathetic cowards' may have lost a lab, but they managed to create a Pokémon of ultimate darkness and a budding lust for desolation before the lab's destruction in your hands," the man said. "By the way, my name's Silver, kid." The name somehow stuck out to Paul as the man offered a friendly handshake.
"Hmmm… Silver… Somehow I know another Trainer with a name like that," Paul said, reluctantly grabbing Silver's large hand. "The name 'Silver' isn't exactly the most common name in the world, unless you're from Johto."
"Why Johto?" Silver asked.
"Hmph, let's just say that I easily whipped a red-headed Trainer with a nickname of Silver during my journey in Johto, teaching him a lesson in power while I was at it," Paul said cryptically, turning his back to Silver. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some unfinished business to take care off."
"Like what? Get whooped by that Shadow Giratina again?" Silver's younger friend asked. Paul seethed, facing that eerily familiar sanguinity that had continually plagued him during his travels in Sinnoh. He was similar to him, but he was not him at all. His face was the last thing remembered before blanking out several hours ago.
"And who might you be?" Paul asked.
"My name's Ritchie," he replied, waving an amiable hand to him. "And I take it you're Reggie's brother?"
"What about him?" Paul asked, turning away in disgust. Ritchie frowned, having been subjected to his indifferent attitude.
"Wow, I really don't see the resemblance between you and Reggie," Ritchie said. "Anyway, I met him at the Battle Pyramid, hoping to win the Brave Symbol from Brandon together."
"And?"
"We both unfortunately lost," Ritchie finished, looking sullen. "At least Reggie found a nice career in becoming a Pokémon Breeder."
"And another embarrassment to the family name," Paul added.
"What?!"
"He was foolish to have just given up on getting the Brave Symbol," Paul explained.
"I don't understand."
"Let him speak, Ritchie," Silver said.
"I did not really care what he would do for the rest of his journey, but becoming a Breeder because of several losses against a Frontier Brain? It's just pathetic!" Paul spat in disgust. "It's amazing how lame he was for not pushing his Pokémon hard enough. They became slackers even before the final battle and look where he ended up now. That's what he gets for being soft."
Ritchie's mood had changed. He could not believe that Paul would bad-mouth and castigated behind the back of his own older brother. He felt he had the need to stand up for the man who was so kind to him and his Pokémon since their encounter in the Battle Pyramid.
"Hey, you! Why don't you try taking on the original seven Frontier Brains and win all their Symbols at once?!" Ritchie yelled. Paul turned from him and began walking away from the campsite.
"Unofficial Pokémon League competitions are not my thing," Paul said, walking further away from the campsite, ultimately disappearing into the forest. Ritchie was angry, standing up and wanting to challenge him to a battle. Silver stopped him from going anywhere.
"Let him go," Silver said.
"But—!"
"That kid is just lost, tottering between his megalomaniacal pride and humiliating losses," Silver explained. "You see, you can tell a lot from a Trainer from looking at them, their clothes, and their entire personalities. I've seen many Trainers during my pursuit for Moltres, but his personality and motives are the most unique of all the strangers I met. I can tell that before he faced down Team Rocket and the beast, Paul faced his most intense challenge against someone like you, Ritchie."
"Ash?" Ritchie asked, knowing that they both bore equal appearances and preferences.
"That's right," Silver said, forming a small, inconspicuous smile. "Anyway, Paul's still struggling on what he should do with his life. Apparently, Ash taught him hard enough that his cruel methods were wrong and actually showing trust to his Pokémon back there nearly got him killed with them."
"So then, what's Paul going to do now?" Ritchie asked. Paul was out of sight now. Silver and Ritchie glanced at each other briefly. "I think the least he could have done was thank us for saving his and Torterra's butts!"
Those two, Paul thought. He was alone with Electivire by his side and out of its Poké Ball, five days since his failure and the five days since his rescue. Having traveled up a cliff in the mountainous parts of Kanto, he viewed the various trees and wildlife living many feet beyond and below his position. They're an odd pair, all right. But I guess seeking out other Trainers to help their cause is something they consider worthwhile. I consider it as a waste of time. If my strongest Pokémon had trouble dealing with that Shadow Giratina of theirs, then what are the chances any of them would survive? Hmph, none, that's what. I know now that we must be stronger if we ever hope to face that monstrosity again.
"Vire?" Electivire asked, breaking its Trainer of his contemplative state.
"No, it's nothing important," Paul said. "Let's get moving. We haven't made much progress since then. I know that a beast like that can't run to the outside without its full strength recovered and adapted to. I know for a fact that it had trouble adjusting to its new power and that there's still time to confront it again before it goes on a killing spree."
"Vire Electivire," Electivire grumbled. Paul exhaled calmly.
"To tell you the truth, I didn't care what those scared losers were up to, only to find out that they were so troublesome that they had to be dealt with immediately," Paul said, a hint of bitterness in his tone. "And what's worse was that I lost!"
"Vire," Electivire groaned, astonished by its Trainer's angry shout.
"Hmph, what's done is done, I suppose," Paul said, taking out a Poké Ball and recalling Electivire into it. Placing the Poké Ball and his hands back in his pockets, he walked down the cliff, witnessing a Ninjask swiftly fly past him.
"Nin!" it buzzed, landing in an Oran Berry tree nearby. Paul suddenly smirked, taking out a Poké Ball, an empty one.
"Darkrai, what do you want?!" Ash shouted. Of all the inappropriate timings and appearances, this night was not as favorable as the earlier day. Neither he nor the other beings in his household could have predicted that a Darkrai would just show up in Anabel's room and torment the beloved Salon Maiden.
"I have a message," Darkrai growled, swooping in and seizing Ash by the collar of his shirt.
"Ash!" Delia cried. Ash coughed, struggling to break away from Darkrai's claw.
"Ack! Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Pika-chuuuuu!" Pikachu screamed, electrocuting both Darkrai and his Trainer. "Pikapi!" Pikachu ran to Ash's side. Ash immediately stood up, brushing off the static from the Thunderbolt attack.
"You call choking me a message?!" Ash shouted. Static discharged coursed through Pikachu's yellow fur fervently. Darkrai closed its visible blue eye, reopening it a moment later to exude its dark powers. Ash, Delia, Pikachu, and Anabel felt the darkness tightening their bodies. In a supernatural voice that screamed of death, Darkrai spoke:
The deity of death, the master of distortions,
Reborn from shadows in powerful proportions.
The door to its core has sealed away,
Courtesy of interlopers who shun the day.
The plague of corruption will begin,
Infecting more creatures as the sun becomes dim.
The aura of darkness shall consume the land
Lest a gentle hero lends out thy hand.
Descendant of a hero and a fair queen,
Assisted by a maiden and a foe once mean.
Branches of kin far spread apart,
United by the enigma of a regional chart.
If hope is lost, then tragic shall decree
That allies offer aura for the ultimate plea.
The hero decides and will forever believe:
Birth by aura, the purest solution to conceive!
SO SAYS THE MESSENGER OF THE DARK!
Finishing its threatening message that coincidentally rhymed, Darkrai sank into the floor, escaping with its shadow. It went out the window it broke into, chased by Ash and Pikachu; the powerful pair went outside through the front door of the house instead of jumping out.
"Darkrai, wait!" Ash shouted. "I still don't know what you mean by your words. Pikachu, stop it with Thunderbolt!"
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted, running ahead of him. "Pika-chuuuuu!" Pikachu aimed at the fleeing shadow, listening to Darkrai's agonized shout when the Thunderbolt had hit its shady mark. In vengeful anger, Darkrai arose from the ground. It apparently did not take too kindly to the Thunderbolt shocking its shadow.
"You have been warned!" Darkrai hissed, releasing a Dark Pulse attack at Pikachu. The Mouse Pokémon was sent high in the air from the attack, safely landing in Ash's arms. Darkrai quickly flew away, disappearing in the bleak emptiness of the night.
Ash was out of breath. The tension from confronting Darkrai in his own home with an insatiable desire to learn more about Darkrai's prediction had exhausted him. What the Pitch-Black Pokémon attempted to convey into his hard head, he just did not understand its riddle. What was the "creature of death?" Who were the "interlopers who shun the day?" And who was the hero whose significant ancestors were an aura hero and a fair queen, along with having the allies of a maiden and a former enemy?
"I want to know more of what Darkrai told me, but I don't know where to start," Ash said, frustrated by the cryptic prophesy Darkrai had foretold.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked, tilting his head.
"And what seemed to be even fishier to me was that Darkrai even knowing this kind of information," Ash continued, sighing at the realization that there was simply not enough specific information present. "So instead of worrying of something unknown right now, I'll worry about my Elite Four matches in the Hoenn region."
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer greeted over the loud intercom. "The League Committee and I thank you for joining us for Ash Ketchum's third set of Elite Four battles, held here in our ever grand Ever Grande City!" The audience cheered fervently.
At the center of the predetermined Grass Field, two Trainers stood facing each other. One Trainer was the young, confident Ash Ketchum with his Pikachu. Opposing him was a man in a formal/informal attire of a red, long-sleeve shirt, black vest, and khaki pants with thin, black vertical stripes. His head was bold, save it for a strip of red hair in the middle of his head. He was upbeat since he had waited for this day, which seemed to be decades since his last battle with a Regional Champion.
"I've watched all of your recent battles in the other regions, Ash," the man said, offering his hand. "By the way, the name is Sidney, the Master of the Beautiful Dark!"
"Great to meet you," Ash replied, half chuckling at his positive attitude. "For a Dark-type Master, you don't seem so grim."
"Well, isn't that the stereotypical misconception," Sidney remarked. "Not all Dark-type users have to look or act scary. It's just that the beauty and strength of Dark-type Pokémon has enraptured me so. Such mysterious, unknown passion, powerful offensive tactics: these are the qualities that create the epitome of the Dark side!"
"Uh, okay," Ash said dryly.
"Something wrong?"
"It's just that I did not have the greatest experience dealing with Dark-type Pokémon," Ash explained.
"How so?" Sidney asked.
"Before my Johto matches started, two other Elite Four members just showed up at my doorstep," Ash said, shrugging.
"You mean to say that you were visited by Will and the lovely Karen?" Sidney asked excitedly. Ash nodded. "Ah! I see. Ain't she just a peach?"
Far from it, Ash thought. And I don't think I should say anything, even to an Elite Four member, about a Legendary Dark-type Pokémon also showing up at my home unannounced and predicting that strange omen…
"If that's all you needed to say, then let's get it on!" Sidney exclaimed, running off to his side of the Grass Field. Ash and Pikachu stared at him blankly before moving to their spot as well.
"This will be an official Three-on-Three Pokémon Battle," the referee announced. "The Trainer left with at least one usable Pokémon will be declared the winner. There will also be no time limit. Only the Challenger is allowed substitutions. Trainers, choose your Pokémon and begin!"
"I'm going on offense!" Sidney exclaimed, forming a quick pose with a Poké Ball in hand. "Mightyena, show us your might!"
"Graroo!" Mightyena howled, glaring at Ash with its piercing red eyes.
"I guess knowing ahead does work," Ash said. "Now! Heracross, I choose you!"
"Hera-cro!" Heracross grunted, landing on the ground eagerly. "Hera?" Heracross noticed Mightyena leering at it, taking a position that would suggest that it would attack. Its intimidating appearance caused the Single Horn Pokémon to tremble.
"Heracross, what's wrong?" Ash asked.
"I'm guessing that you don't know Mightyena's special ability," Sidney said. "It's none other than Intimidate, which lowers your Heracross' attack power upon Mightyena's introduction to battle. But instead of being technical around here, what do you say? Let's fight!"
"You're on!" Ash yelled back. "Heracross, don't let that Intimidate get to you! Use Take Down!"
"Good choice of moves, Ash," Sidney commented. "We'll use Take Down too, Mightyena!"
Heracross and Mightyena traveled in a velocity considerable enough to leave behind a glowing trail of their power. Mightyena dove in, taking on Heracross' horn. Because of the Intimidation it had faced, Heracross ended up in a stalemate. Both Pokémon rebounded off of each other, dragging along in the subtle grass as part of their recoiling pain.
"Heracross, use Horn Attack!"
"Heraaa!" Heracross shouted, having recovered quickly and flew towards Mightyena. Its horn glared under the bright sun.
"Mightyena, stop it with Crunch!"
"Graroo!" Mightyena growled, catching its opponent's large horn in its mouth. Heracross winced, having felt the painful injections of Mightyena's fangs in its horn.
"Heracross, throw Mightyena off with Megahorn!"
"Hera!" Heracross grunted, storing its power within its horn. Mightyena barked in confusion with its mouth still chewing on the horn. "Hera-cro!" Heracross, utilizing its excellent physical strength, flung the Bite Pokémon several feet into the air.
"Awrooooo!" Mightyena howled, frightened by the sudden change of its placement from the ground into the air.
"Hera-cro!" Heracross shouted, stabbing its powered Megahorn into the airborne Mightyena. The Bite Pokémon managed to land on all fours, but suffered a significant amount of damage from a powerful Bug-type move. If it weren't for its earlier Intimidation, it would have been gone sooner.
"Heracross, time to put this to rest with another Megahorn!"
"The kid's really good," Sidney said, sounding impressed. "I didn't think I'd have to resort to this. Roar!"
"GRAROOO!" Mightyena howled to the sky. The feral acoustics and wild nature of Roar stopped Heracross in its tracks. The Single Horn Pokémon quaked, converting its entire body into red energy. The energy flew towards Ash, retracting into the small, empty Poké Ball in his possession.
"Ohh! I should have known Mightyena can learn Roar," Ash grumbled, suddenly feeling something moving in his body. He found an enlarged Poké Ball moving side to side before opening itself up, revealing his Cyndaquil.
"Cynda!" Cyndaquil exclaimed, having been forced to take Heracross' stead in battle.
Well, I probably shouldn't force Ash to switch Pokémon since his second Pokémon is now revealed, Sidney thought. Regardless, I'm still gonna go all out on his behind!
"Cyndaquil, get ready!" Ash yelled. "Forced substitutions like these are something we all have to be prepared for."
"Cynda Cyndaquil!" Cyndaquil agreed, igniting the flames on its back to full force.
"Mightyena, let's show that pipsqueak that we mean business despite the earlier fight!" Sidney yelled. "Use Shadow Ball!"
"Cyndaquil, Flamethrower!"
"Cynda-quiiiiil!" Cyndaquil shouted, almost immediately unleashing its powerful stream of fire at the unsuspecting Mightyena. The Bite Pokémon was only at mid-charge of its attack, causing it to backfire and the waste of its energy. The past months of intensive training have paid off without having to induce evolutions. It just was not Ash's style.
"Grah… rah… roo," Mightyena coughed, exhaling a small puff of soot before collapsing onto the grass.
"Mightyena is unable to battle!" the referee declared, raising a flag to Ash. "The winner of this round is Cyndaquil!"
"Mightyena's fierce Roar proved to be its undoing!" the announcer exclaimed. "Having been weakened by Heracross, it proved to be no match against Cyndaquil's full power!" The audience applauded for Mightyena's strong performance, having lasted against Heracross' strongest attacks and strategically changing for a seemingly weaker opponent.
"Mightyena, return!" Sidney yelled, recalling his charcoaled Mightyena into its Poké Ball. "You were as strong as always. They just got the better hand this time. They're good, but WE'RE better!"
"Too bad Anabel has to miss this," May said. The others in their usual spots in any given stadium nodded.
"She said she wasn't feeling well enough to go out into public areas," Brock said, already knowing the real undisclosed truth from Ash.
"But at least she was well enough to travel with us to get here to Ever Grande City," Max said.
"You know, I don't think she'd ever want to miss out a match featuring her beloved Ashy," Dawn said, making lovey-dovey and kissing gestures.
"Well, whatever the reason, I'm sure she's watching from the big screen TV in the Ever Grande Hotel lobby," Kenny said.
"And I could have been doing the same with the big plasma screen at the LaRousse City Battle Tower lobby," Drew said, suddenly glaring at May.
"Uh uh uh! Not until the Sinnoh Grand Festival comes for us!" May exclaimed, wagging her finger. "We've already won four Ribbons each and that goes for all present rival Coordinators."
"Right!" Dawn, Kenny, and Zoey exclaimed. Drew turned his head away in arrogance.
"I'm already on my fifth and last Ribbon, if you don't mind me saying," Drew said.
"Actually, I do mind you saying it," May retorted.
And here goes another argument from the couple of two short hotshots, Zoey thought dully, observing another useless conflict among her fellow Coordinators since they got together again here in Ever Grande City. I wonder what Anabel's up to.
Staring at the sea that reached far and wide to the borders, she was able to clear her mind and relax. She was at a far distance from both the Ever Grande Stadium and Hotel, having left after Ash and his friends went to the Stadium. Her recent events were not the most pleasant. She never even wanted to experience them ever again. So a Darkrai from out of the black had a message for Ash and she was its dream, or nightmare, mailbox; what was the worse that could happen to her other than suffering Darkrai's nightmarish defenses? There wasn't…
Why? Anabel thought. Why is this happening to me? She remembered her first visit from Darkrai over a year ago. Such a vile encounter she wished to wipe clean off her soul. Is it because of my current relation to Ash?
Anabel was pensive, willing to travel anywhere for answers while at the same time, she felt obliged to stand by Ash's side while he partook his current Hoenn Elite Four Challenge. So many unanswered questions were stored in her head. She did not know why Darkrai was after her and Ash, what its dark prediction foreshadowed, or what the true outcome of her portent nightmares from the Pitch-Black Pokémon itself: the destroyed lands, the suffering rabid Pokémon, and the fates of Ash and the legendary Ho-Oh at the merciless claws of a terrible chimera that created the devastation. How Ho-Oh was involved in her premonitions was also another mystery to weary Anabel.
You needn't suffer over such questions, a soft voice said. Anabel heard the tender voice coming from within her own mind.
Telepathy from a Psychic Pokémon, she thought.
That is correct, dearie, the telepathic voice said, having used its psychic powers to unite its mind with Anabel's. Whatever one thought, the other would listen. Anabel could feel the warm gentleness from the voice; it was pure, honest, and sincere to every word. The gentle tones of this unknown, comforting voice eased the emotional duress in her heart.
If you don't mind me asking, who are you, creature? Anabel asked.
You needn't worry about my identity until later, dear, the voice said.
Well then, why have you come and sought me out? Anabel asked, using her telepathy again.
Your heart is suffering under a lot of recent emotional trauma, the voice explained. I can tell that Darkrai placed this burden on you. Anabel was taken back by both the mysterious creature's knowledge and sudden brief change in tone when it said Darkrai's name. Whoever the voice belonged to, it knew a lot about her.
Darkrai?! How did you know about Darkrai?! Anabel demanded.
Forgive me for saying this, but I knew that you were destined to receive these horrifying revelations, the voice said, sympathetic to Anabel's situation.
Oh, then you know about this warning it kept posting in my head for Ash to know? Anabel asked.
Yes, Anabel, the voice replied. And I know that you and Ash need more information than that Darkrai proved you. Anabel sensed a notable, but mild disdain upon hearing Darkrai's name from the voice again. But it's good for the future, I suppose.
Good for whose future? Anabel asked dryly. A sudden veil of amiable emotions blanketed her heart, calming and easing more of her suppressed anguish. I-Is this your doing?
One of my many special powers, the kindhearted, telepathic voice replied. I have to go now, dearie. But I must say this. You worry too much. I promise that Ash will be fine and that you'll rest easier.
Wait! Anabel shouted.
Hmm?
Ash and I need to know more about this serious crisis Darkrai kept warning us about, Anabel said.
You will learn more, Anabel, the voice assured. I will come to you the night of the crescent moon. Anabel formulated the days and the moon phases in her head, coming to a startling conclusion.
I learned that tonight's a crescent moon! Anabel exclaimed. She heard the voice giggle.
Then I will meet you and Ash by the Ever Grande Lake tonight, which is only a short walk away from your hotel, the voice said. But it can only be you two and no one else.
Got it, Anabel said. I look forward meeting you, whoever you are.
Me too, the voice said. Anabel felt the absence of its gentle presence once the mysterious creature had bid its last words.
"The night of a crescent moon," Anabel repeated. Various thoughts in her head involuntarily started to interlock together, completing a puzzle she never knew she had. "Hold the phone! Crescent moon?!" She replayed the conversation she had with the psychic creature to the best of her ability, finding something that stuck out to her as the missing piece of the creature's identity.
"Hmm… The entire time the creature spoke, it sounded virtually benevolent the entire time. But the only time I felt its tone change to disgust was when it said Darkrai's name… No… way… I must be dreaming."
Anabel fell to her knees in awe. She felt something stand out from the ground with her hand. It was a beautiful, radiant feather of green and yellow. It was shaped in a crescent. It was a sign that confirmed her suspicions regarding the identity of the kind, telepathic voice that spoke to her. Disturbed by her discovery, she ran from her seaside spot to look for Ash in the Ever Grande Stadium. It was a shame, though, that the Ever Grande Stadium was miles from where she was. And her frail body was not exactly in the best condition of her life since the recent Darkrai attacks.
"Folks, we now turn to the start of the second match!" the announcer exclaimed. "In the field, young Ash has stuck with Cyndaquil while Sidney made the bizarre choice of using his Shiftry! But knowing that Sidney will do the means of overwhelming his opponents, I wonder what he and Shiftry have planned!"
"A type advantage is still a type advantage," Ash said. "Cyndaquil, use Flamethrower!"
"Cynda-quiiiiil!" Cyndaquil shouted, creating a potent Flamethrower from its mouth. Shiftry waited motionlessly.
"Shiftry, get ready to disappear!"
"Shiftry Shift!" Shiftry shouted, creating a powerful whirl of wind and grass blades surrounding it. The Flamethrower had pierced through the gale, but there was no Shiftry within to scorch.
"Cynda?"
Another gust blew in behind Cyndaquil, revealing the form of the Wicked Pokémon standing behind it. Cyndaquil sheepishly turned around and looked into the menacing eyes of Shiftry.
"Shiftry, use Extrasensory!"
"Shiiiiift," Shiftry hummed; its sharp pupils glinted. Cyndaquil was sent flying into the air, yelping in shock.
"Cyndaquil, no!" Ash shouted.
"Now use Leaf Storm!"
"Flamethrower!"
"Shift-TRY!"
"Da-QUIL!"
Both Pokémon had unleashed their powerful attacks. Cyndaquil had not fully mastered air maneuverability, leaving it as a sitting Psyduck for the Leaf Storm to spirit away. Shiftry, on the other hand, avoided a direct blast of Cyndaquil's flames. The Fire attack, however, was effective enough to give it a bad burn. The Wicked Pokémon survived the exchange of attacks while its opponent finally fell onto the grass, its flames extinguished.
"Cyndaquil is unable to continue!" the referee ruled out, raising a flag to Sidney. "The winner is Shiftry!" Many people were left speechless from this result.
"Un-be-lievable! I'm actually surprised that Cyndaquil was quickly made work of by a Grass-type!" the announcer exclaimed. "But then there's the fact that Cyndaquil is a basic Pokémon whereas Shiftry is fully evolved to be considered! Now both Ash and Sidney are down to two Pokémon! How will Ash counter the weaken Shiftry?"
"Cyndaquil, return!" Ash yelled, recalling his dazed Cyndaquil. "I guess you have lasted longer if you had evolved during training, but I'm not going to force you. You were as awesome as you've always been." He quickly switched back to Heracross' Poké Ball. "Heracross, come on back out!"
"Hera-cro!" Heracross grunted upon reentry into battle.
"And this time, there's no Roar to send Heracross flying back to me!" Ash exclaimed confidently.
"Let the battle commence!" the referee declared, raising both arms high in the air.
"Heracross, Shiftry was considerable weakened by its earlier fight with Cyndaquil," Ash said. "But be careful; that Shiftry is still up to no good."
"Witty observation, Ash," Sidney said, chuckling. Ash raised an eyebrow to his bizarre timing for laughter. "You know, I promised myself I wouldn't do this anymore, but this is to put more pressure on you. And besides, I'm just having too much fun battling your wonderful Pokémon, even if you lack Dark types! Now Shiftry, send Heracross away with Whirlwind!"
"Shift Shiftry Shift!" Shiftry shouted, creating an immense gust with one flap of its hand. The Whirlwind traveled towards Heracross' spot. The Single Horn Pokémon was rooted to the spot, amazed by the powerful airstreams that started to surround it. An invisible force struck Heracross' frontal side, reconverting it into red energy that flew back towards Ash.
"Not again," Ash said dismally. The red energy that was Heracross retreated into an area around Ash's torso while white energy simultaneously exchanged its place. The white energy sparkled away, revealing Ash's fortunately recently awakened Snorlax.
"Snor!" Snorlax grunted, landing onto the Grass Field with a resulting minor quake.
"And Ash's forced third Pokémon is his Snorlax!" the announcer commented. "Despite Sidney shuffling Ash's team with Roar and Whirlwind, Ash ended up using his more powerful Pokémon with Sidney wasting a move."
"Well, using Whirlwind again would do nothing so I might as well attack full force," Sidney said. "Shiftry, use Extrasensory!"
"… Shift!" Shiftry grunted, emitting another powerful, invisible wave with a glint of its eye. The density of Snorlax's girth easily brushed it off. "Shiftry?!"
"Snorlax, time for Ice Punch!"
"Snor!" Snorlax grunted, lighting its fist with ice blue energy. It charged in at the astonished Shiftry.
"We're not done yet," Sidney said. "Use Double Team!"
"Shiftry Shift!" Shiftry shouted, creating several afterimages that circled Snorlax. They all grimaced from the shared burn from Cyndaquil's last Flamethrower.
"Snorlax, remember when facing an opponent using Double Team," Ash advised.
"Snor," Snorlax concurred, sitting down and relaxed. Sidney and Shiftry were bewildered by Snorlax's strange action.
"Ha! You snooze, you lose!" Sidney exclaimed. "Shiftry, quick! While Snorlax is down, time to put it out with your power!"
"Shift!" Shiftry grunted, continuing to surround Snorlax with its afterimages, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
Snorlax waited, opening all its senses. It was relatively easy for it to do so since it was often lax and open to nature. The Sleeping Pokémon listened to the swift, precise movements of Shiftry's Double Team. It heard the movement slowing down, coming to a halt all together. Snorlax sensed Shiftry skidding to a stop behind it on its left. It clenched and powered its icy fist again, waiting for the signal to strike. Shiftry's feet kicked off from the grass, by which Snorlax countered.
"SNOR!" Snorlax shouted, throwing its Ice Punch now at Shiftry's forehead before the Wicked Pokémon could attack. Shiftry was thrown back with a frozen forehead; the ice broke apart when its forehead slid on the ground several times. Its body came to a halt in front of the referee, who had made the judgment.
"Shiftry is unable to continue battling!" the referee declared, raising a flag to Ash. "The winner is Snorlax!"
"So far so good as the fruits of Ash's training have been known to us here in Ever Grande!" the announcer exclaimed. "With two Pokémon down, how will Sidney overwhelm Ash with his last Pokémon? Where's the might he was going to dazzle us with?"
"Right here!" Sidney exclaimed, holding a new Poké Ball after recalling and thanking his Shiftry. "Absol, dazzle us all!" He proudly threw the Poké Ball high in the air, releasing in a bright flash his Absol.
"Sol!" Absol shouted, stretching its back pre-battle.
"An Absol will be tough to handle, but I'm confident that Snorlax will do fine," Ash said. "Snorlax, are you ready to win?"
"Snorlax Snor," Snorlax replied, giving a thumbs-up for a guaranteed victory.
"Let the battle begin!" the referee announced.
"Okay, time to win this!" Ash exclaimed. "Snorlax, Hyper Beam!"
"Snor!" Snorlax grunted, beginning to charge the powerful beam in its mouth. The time of charging was short, as though it had become second nature to access Hyper Beam and use it immediately from the command. "Lax!"
"Absol, dodge!"
"Sol!" Absol grunted, leaping gracefully into the air, narrowly evading the Hyper Beam.
"Use Swords Dance!"
"Sol Absol!" Absol shouted, spinning into a frenetic somersault in the air above Snorlax. The Sleeping Pokémon could only watch, having still the need to recharge after using Hyper Beam. It noticed the black blade appendage on Absol's head reflecting brilliant sunlight, signifying its sharpness.
"Lax," Snorlax sighed, knowing that it will be on the receiving end of that sickle.
"Use Slash on its head!"
"Ab-sol!" Absol shouted, swiftly turning its head to swipe at Snorlax's face with its black sickle head attachment. It started on Snorlax's forehead, making its way down the rest of its head. The lack of protective fat in its head was its undoing. If it had fallen back for Absol to slash its stomach area instead, it would not have taken serious critical damage.
"That's one powerful Slash," Ash commented, holding Snorlax's enlarged Poké Ball in his hand. "All of Sidney's Pokémon were super powerful and were always on the offense. Sorry, Snorlax."
"Absol, finish Snorlax with Aerial Ace!"
"Sol! Absol Ab-sol!" Absol shouted, having acquired a momentary speed boost to tumble Snorlax to the ground. Snorlax did not get up.
"Snorlax is unable to battle!" the referee declared. "Absol wins it!"
"Now it's down to the final showdown between Ash and Sidney!" the announcer exclaimed. The audience briefly cheered before returning to anticipating, suspenseful silence. "This match will be between Sidney's Absol and Ash's Heracross; both Pokémon have an edge over each other! How will this turn out? Can Ash continue with his Elite Four Challenge?! He's only halfway there!"
"Man, I can't stand this suspense!" May exclaimed.
"I know," Max concurred. "If I'm not mistaken, both Pokémon have a powerful attack to use against each other."
"That would be Megahorn for Heracross and a powered-up Aerial Ace for Absol," Brock pointed out.
"This match is as close as it gets," Drew said.
"It's still too bad that Anabel was still not feeling well enough to travel here," Dawn said.
"Guys! The battle's about to start!" Kenny exclaimed.
"Settle down, boy," Dawn said, patting him on the head.
"Whatever you say, Dee Dee," Kenny said, shrugging. Dawn quickly grabbed him by his shirt, threatening him with a fist. Zoey intervened, forcing her to forgive and forget. "You're lucky that Zoey was here to save your butt."
"Heracross, I choose you!" Ash yelled, calling out his Heracross for the third time. Heracross appeared, but looked slightly irritated.
"Hera," it grumbled, crossing its arms.
"I take it you're still upset about your forced substitutions?" Sidney asked guiltily. Heracross diffidently nodded. "Well, there's no way to force you to retreat unless I defeat you for good."
"Or we defeat you for good," Ash said. "Didn't count on that, did you?"
"Let the final battle begin!" the referee announced.
"Absol, use Razor Wind!"
"Ab!" Absol grunted, charging power into its blade appendage. "Sol!" It speedily twisted its head, firing a solid, sharp white blade of wind towards Heracross.
"Heracross, dodge and use Take Down!"
"Hera-cro!" Heracross grunted, flying away from the wind blade and swiftly jabbing Absol with its strong horn.
"Use Horn Attack, Heracross!"
"Absol, Slash!"
A collision between Heracross' horn and Absol's sickle resulted in an equal stalemate. Both Pokémon kept at their attacks several more times, but they proved worthless. The only even taking place was both Pokémon quickly losing their strength and energy with each collision of their notably sharp body parts.
"This has gone long enough," Sidney said. "While I love battling, it's time for this one to end. Absol, get back and use Aerial Ace!"
"Heracross, wrap this up with Megahorn!" Ash commanded. "It's all up to you now!"
"Hera," Heracross agreed. "Heraaaaa…" The Single Horn Pokémon mustered up power from its special ability, Swarm, further strengthening its Megahorn attack to counter and hopefully overpower Absol.
"Sol," Absol growled, crouching its legs for a better speed boost. At the given time where it saw a momentary weakness given off by Heracross, the Disaster Pokémon would strike with one ending blow. It saw Heracross' eyes flash. "SOL!"
"CRO!"
The two Pokémon collided once again; their immense power created an explosion that pushed both of them back on their feet. Heracross and Absol stood high, waiting for the other to finally collapse from this power struggle. Heracross' left knee gave way to its weight.
"Sol?"
"Hera," Heracross replied, struggling with upholding its weight. Absol remained weary. Its eyes suddenly blanked out. With one last cough, it fainted.
"Oh!" Ash, Sidney, and the audience gasped in astonishment.
"Absol is unable to continue battling!" the referee ultimately declared, raising a flag to Ash. "The winner is Heracross so the victory of this match goes to Ash of Pallet Town!" The audience immediately started cheering, whistling, and applauding for another wonderful and entertaining match they observed for this day. The announcer went on to rant about the phenomenal intensity about Ash's particular match and victory over the offensive-styled, jolly Dark-type Master.
"Huh, and I was sure it was going to be a draw," Ash said in disbelief, walking over to inspecting his resting Heracross as Sidney was happy to have participated in a great battle with Absol.
"It almost was," the referee said, having overheard Ash from the rest of the vocal accolades of the audience and announcer. "I carefully observed the moment the final attacks collided. We official Pokémon judges have trained eyesight in order to make the right decisions. And I've been doing this for years. It's all paid off since I get to watch amazing League and Elite Four battles in Ever Grande Stadium."
"Okay, so please explain on how Heracross ended up the victor despite both it and Absol taking the same huge amounts of damage," Ash requested.
"At the last moment before the shockwave explosion, I noticed Heracross' entire body briefly glowing red," the referee explained. "It was none other than its Endure."
"Endure?" Ash repeated. The ref nodded.
"You must really be a fantastic Trainer to help a Pokémon use two different moves at once because Heracross instinctively used Endure without your call," the referee said. "But as a Pokémon referee, I'm supposed to remain objective and fair to both sides. You and Master Sidney were awesome."
"Thanks," Ash said, grinning cheerfully at the first of his Hoenn Elite Four victories.
"Pi Pikachu!" Pikachu exclaimed, holding a peace sign with his fingers.
"H-Hera… cro," Heracross cheered weakly, falling onto its back to rest. Ash recalled it into its Poké Ball, giving it a nod of approval.
"Ash!" a voice yelled. Ash knew right away the person who sought for him. And here she came running onto the Grass Field, out of breath and somewhat in a mess.
"Anabel, what's wrong?" Ash asked, concerned about her coming here. "You said you didn't feel good."
"I know," Anabel panted. "But there's something I need to talk to you about. Alone. In private. With no one within a—"
"Get on with it," Ash said impatiently.
"It's about Darkrai's prophecy," she said grimly. Ash hardened.
"We'll talk about this when no one, and I mean no one, is around," Ash whispered. Anabel nodded in agreement. "From a sweet dream into another nightmare, this will be a bit rough from here on out. Something wicked this way comes…"
If you would please review this chapter, it will be much appreciated. I want to hear your thoughts regarding the content and format of this chapter.
Ciao!