"Ash, don't you think you'd better heal your Pokémon before you go to Iacon?" Knock Out suggested; he wanted to go and speak to Ratchet and the others.
"My Pokémon are all full health though…" Ash told them.
"You haven't been to a Pokémon centre since before you took on Blitzwing." Max reminded him.
"We'd better go to one then. It will let us get our Pokémon topped up." Brock suggested; knowing that Croagunk had been hurt by the last battle.
"Not rushing to the Pokémon centre Brock?" May asked, giggling. She'd saw what happened last time.
"There might be Nurse Joy there this time…" Misty joined in with the teasing. All of them continued their walk to the Pokémon centre, heading inside quickly. They found no one there.
"Hey! Anyone here?" Ash shouted. A Dustox in a nurse's hat fluttered into the room from the way leading to the gym.
"Isn't that Pharma's Dustox?" Dawn asked, Piplup fidgeting in her arms.
"Dustox, where are you going off to…? Oh." Pharma noticed the large group at the desk.
"Ratchet! Ash and his friends are here!" Pharma shouted. Ratchet quickly walked up with Ambulon and First Aid.
"Do you need us to heal your Pokémon before you travel to Iacon, Ash?" Ratchet asked, picking up Blissey's pokéball. Ash nodded, placing his pokéballs and Pikachu on the desk. After a while, all of the Pokémon had been healed and Ash headed for the door.
"Aren't you going to wait for us?" Ambulon asked.
"Something I've learned about Ash; he tends to rush on ahead and expect everyone to catch him up." Knock Out told him.
"I can still hear you, you know!" Ash turned around and told him off.
"Then you should realise that turnabout is fair play!" Pharma had heard what had happened on the way to Altihex. Ash got what they were trying to tell him and waited for everyone else. Once everyone had collected their Pokémon and made their way outside; they all set off for Iacon.
XxX
"Where do you suppose they hold the challenge?" Ash asked the Cybertronians beside him.
"In the Decagon." Ratchet informed him; without telling him which building that was.
"Which building is the Decagon?" Max asked.
"The one with the golden spires; that is shaped like a decagon." First Aid told them.
"Right now however…" Ambulon saw a lot of Cybertronians heading that way.
"I'd say we should just follow the crowd!" Pharma told him with a smirk; heading off that way himself. Ash and his friends followed the Cybertronians, slightly worried about how many of them there were. They spotted two familiar mechs heading in together. One had a Plusle on his right shoulder, the other a Minun on his left shoulder.
"Dreadwing! Skyquake!" Pharma shouted on the two of them.
"Ah, I see you got the invitation as well." Skyquake remarked.
"By the sounds of what's coming from in there, so did everyone else!" Pharma sniggered; there was a lot of noise coming from inside.
"What are you two doing here?" Brock asked.
"Oh, we were invited." Dreadwing told them.
"And so, by the sounds of it, was the rest of the Cybertron region…" Misty remarked. Ash whined; just how many Cybertronians were in the Decagon?
"How did everyone find out Ash was going to challenge the Cybertron league?" May asked.
"In the Cybertron region, there are three main methods of communication." Knock Out told them; trying very hard to keep the grin off his face. Everyone quickly realised what he was getting at.
"Telephone." Ambulon giggled.
"Telegram." The kids giggled at what Ratchet had said; that was an out-dated form of communication, even in their regions.
"Tell-a-Swerve!" All of them said; before starting to laugh.
"Who's Swerve?" Dawn asked.
"It was Swerve you were talking to in Polyhex, wasn't it?" Firestar asked Knock Out, still giggling from the joke.
"Of course!" He answered her, before turning to Dawn.
"In the Cybertron region, if you want something to be known by everyone; you tell Swerve."
"Because Swerve can never keep his mouth shut about it." First Aid grinned; it's how he'd found out that Pharma was going to join them before Ratchet had told him!
"Ash, you'll want to go through there." Dreadwing gestured to the, rather intimidating now Ash thought about it, front gate.
"We'll be right at the front, cheering you on!" Dawn told him. Piplup! Piplup cheered for him.
"Who even is the Elite Four?" Ash asked; curious as to whom they might be.
"You'll find out when you challenge them, Ash." Firestar told him, grinning.
"But I have been reliably informed that you've met all of them." Ratchet smiled, turning to head away from front gate. Ash looked like he was trying to guess who they were.
"Come on, this way." Ambulon started to head for, what Ash guessed was the entrance to the stands. Everyone else followed.
"Are you ready, Pikachu?" Ash asked his partner on his shoulder. Pi-Pikachu! Ash thought he sounded very excited. Ash started to walk towards the door. He could hear the cheering; but recalled that this was where he'd battled Megatron. I only hope that this challenge goes better than my battle against Megatron did… He thought, nearing the inside. He saw what looked like a flash; then saw the same arena where he'd battled Megatron. The arena where he was going to challenge the Elite Four.
"Welcome Ash!" Ash jumped; turning to look at who had spoken.
"This is Blaster blasting at you! I'm going to be your announcer for this challenge!" Ash saw a mostly red mech with a glass upper torso. He was sat behind a desk, with three similar looking mechs stood beside it.
"These three are Spectro, Viewfinder and Spyglass; and they will be recording your matches for broadcasting purposes." As Blaster named each mech; they stepped forward.
"It'll be a pleasure!" Viewfinder sounded really happy about his job. Ash guessed it was because he didn't get to do it very often.
"Do your Pokémon require healing before battle, Ash?" Ash jumped; seeing a mostly orange mech with what looked like glasses covering his blue eyes speaking to him.
"Uh, Ratchet did it for me. But thank you for offering…" Ash trailed off; hoping to get this mech's name.
"Rung. R-U-N-G. You'd be surprised how many people get my name wrong." Rung told him.
"I'll come and heal them after your first battle then, Ash." Rung smiled; heading back to his seat near where Blaster was sitting. How Blaster didn't notice him; Ash would never know.
"Are you ready to challenge the Elite Four?" Blaster asked.
"Yes!" Ash shouted; getting into the spirit of it.
"That's what I like to hear! Are you all ready for this challenge?" The crowd cheered; Ash's friends trying very hard to be heard above the rest of the Cybertronians in the crowd.
"Then let's bring in the first of the Elite Four!" Blaster shouted and the lights went dim, everywhere but around the battlefield. Ash saw two Cybertronians walking towards him and wondered what was wrong. Both reached the very edge of the light; so Ash couldn't tell who they were, and stopped.
"Who… are you?" Ash paused; slightly nervous.
"You mean that training in the dojo didn't prepare you for this, Ash?" Ash jumped; he knew that voice. A black and gold mech stepped forward, into the light. He was followed by a purple mech; who Ash immediately recognised.
"Prowl? And Shockwave? Which of you do I battle first?" Ash asked; looking worried about both of them standing at the edge of the battlefield.
"Actually Ash, you battle both of us. At the same time." Shockwave explained, making Ash worried.
"The format of the Cybertron league is double battles." Prowl added.
"And we are grateful to you for your assistance in stopping the Quintesson menace." Shockwave's eye narrowed.
"But that does not mean that we will go easy on you!"
"Show us your strength Ash." Prowl chose which of his Pokémon he would be using first.
"Oh, looks like the first of the Elite Four is ready for battle. This battle will be a full double battle and it will be over when all six Pokémon of one side cannot battle. Choose your Pokémon!" Blaster shouted; eager for this as the rest of the observers.
"Challenger goes first." Prowl bowed slightly; making Ash ponder if Yoketron might be also among the Elite Four.
"Go Gliscor and Infernape!" Ash's scorpion appeared, alongside the fiery monkey. Shockwave looked slightly worried; as did Prowl.
"Go Hitmontop!" A brown Pokémon with long legs appeared. He looked like he was wearing a blue wrestling costume.
"Go Magnezone." A metallic Pokémon with one eye appeared, twirling the magnets around at the end of its arms.
"So the first round of this battle is going to be Infernape and Gliscor vs. Hitmontop and Magnezone! Without further ado; let battle begin!" Blaster cheered; the lights brightening around the edge of the battlefield. Ash quickly glanced to the crowd and saw his friends near the front. He turned back to the battlefield.
"Infernape use Flame Wheel on Magnezone!" Infernape rolled; flames coating his body. He slammed into Magnezone; who was only just able to stay afloat after the hit.
"Magnezone use Spark." Electricity coated Magnezone as it flew across the arena. It slammed into Infernape; intelligent enough to realise it wouldn't work on Gliscor. Infernape shook off the hit.
"Wow, Shockwave's Magnezone is smart enough to know type matchups and uses Spark on Infernape!" Blaster commented enthusiastically.
"Gliscor, use Steel Wing on Hitmontop!" Gliscor sprang up from his tail and flew across the arena at Hitmontop. His wings became coated in steel before he collided with Hitmontop. Hitmontop rolled, coming back up to his feet.
"Use Triple Kick." Hitmontop quickly ran at Gliscor before he could get too far away. He jumped and kicked Gliscor in the stomach, before adjusting his pose. He then kicked Gliscor's tail, making the scorpion nervously wobble; like he was going to fall over. Hitmontop kicked Gliscor's stomach again, before darting back to his master. Gliscor wasn't as hurt as Ash thought he would be.
"That was an impressive show of skill from Hitmontop! He knew exactly where to hit to bring Gliscor down!" Blaster announced; making Ash wonder if he was fair, since he hadn't once remarked on his Pokémon's attacks.
"Infernape use Mach Punch on Magnezone!" Infernape darted forward and slammed his fist into Magnezone before its master could react. Magnezone fell to the ground with a swirl in its eye.
"Infernape lands a brilliant Mach Punch; that brings down Magnezone!" Blaster shouted; prompting cheers from Ash's friends in the crowd.
"Magnezone return. Go Metagross." Shockwave had sent out another steel type to replace the first; this one being four legged with a cross covering its face.
"Ash could be in trouble now!" Blaster grinned; Shockwave's Metagross was no pushover!
"Hitmontop, use Rapid Spin on Gliscor." Hitmontop performed a handstand, before using his hands to spin him around. He moved very quickly across the arena and knocked into Gliscor. Gliscor wobbled about on his tail; but was able to continue.
"Metagross use Psychic on Infernape." Shockwave folded his arms. Infernape was going to be lucky if he survived this. Blue light shone from Metagross' eyes and surrounded Infernape. Infernape squeaked in worry as he was lifted up. He felt a force pushing him down. It didn't dissipate when he'd hit the ground once; but it did dissipate when he started to fall once more. He managed to land on his feet; surprising Shockwave.
"Gliscor use Aerial Ace!" Gliscor sprang up from the ground and flew at Hitmontop. He slammed his outstretched wings into Hitmontop, knocking him on to his back. Hitmontop had swirls in his eyes.
"Oh, Gliscor lands an amazing hit with Aerial Ace and KO's Hitmontop!" Blaster cheered; he was enjoying this battle!
"Hitmontop return. Go Hitmonlee!" The spinning top like Pokémon disappeared; replaced by a brown Pokémon with long powerful legs.
"Looks like Prowl's using Hitmonlee next! Time for some kicking!" Blaster cheered once more.
"Hitmonlee, use Rolling Kick on Infernape!" Hitmonlee ran forward, diving down into a forward roll about three quarters of the way across the arena. He sprang up from it at the last second; using the momentum to deliver a powerful kick to Infernape. The monkey landed on his back.
"Hitmonlee retaliates with a powerful Rolling Kick that floors Infernape!" Blaster's commentary wasn't all that necessary; but would probably appeal to the people that this got broadcast to.
"Come on Infernape; I believe in you!" Ash cheered his Pokémon on. Infernape got back to his feet; eager to continue.
"Use Flame Wheel on Metagross!" Infernape rolled across the arena once more; slamming into Metagross this time. Metagross didn't appear too fazed by the attack; even though it was super effective.
"Shockwave's Metagross shows off its impressive stamina!" Blaster pointed out.
"Use Metal Claw on Gliscor." Shockwave was becoming a little worried; Metagross might have impressive stamina, but it wasn't invincible! Metagross ran forward; the claws at the end of its foreleg becoming coated in a shiny silver. His slashed it across Gliscor's tummy, making the scorpion wobble on his tail once more. Just how strong is that Gliscor? Shockwave thought nervously. Ash's Gliscor was surviving a lot of hits!
"Gliscor use X-Scissor on Metagross!" Ash saw his scorpion take off once more; flying at Metagross this time. Gliscor crossed both arms over his chest, ready to slice them across Metagross. Metagross wobbled a little from this attack, but remained standing.
"Gliscor retaliates with a brilliant X-Scissor. How long can Metagross hold out?" Blaster asked rhetorically.
"Hitmonlee use Brick Break on Infernape!" Hitmonlee ran at Infernape, preparing one of his fists to slam down with. He lifted it upwards, opening his palm as he did so. He slammed his hand down with enough force to shatter bricks. Infernape wobbled, but stayed on his feet.
"And Infernape proves he has amazing stamina as well!" Blaster's shouts were starting to annoy the crowd a little.
"Infernape use Flare Blitz on Hitmonlee!" Ash shouted.
"Ooh; this will be a true test of Infernape's stamina; can he survive the recoil damage?" Blaster looked hopeful he could. Infernape ran forward; fire surrounding him as he ran. Infernape collided with Hitmonlee; knocking him on to his back. Hitmonlee got back up; but only just. Infernape winced from the recoil; but didn't wobble.
"Infernape has impressive stamina; but how much longer can he hold out?" Blaster asked; feeling not for very much longer.
"Metagross use Confusion." Purple light shone from Metagross' eyes and surrounded Infernape this time. Infernape squealed when he was picked up again. He was slammed into the ground by the light before it dissipated. Swirls appeared in Infernape's eyes.
"And that's all she wrote for Infernape!" Blaster remarked.
"Infernape return. Go Staraptor!" Ash's bird Pokémon appeared in Infernape's place.
"Oh, Prowl could be in trouble here; that's two flying type Pokémon!" Blaster grinned; Gliscor hadn't yet attacked.
"Gliscor use Aerial Ace on Hitmonlee!" Gliscor flew at Hitmonlee. The outstretched wings knocked Hitmonlee on to his back. Swirls appeared in the Pokémon's eyes.
"And Ash retaliates by knocking out Hitmonlee with an amazing Aerial Ace!" Blaster cheered.
"Fine. Hitmonlee return." Prowl returned Hitmonlee to his pokéball.
"You have forced me to do this. Hitmonchan; it's your turn!" The time a brown Pokémon that looked like it was wearing boxing gloves appeared. He threw a couple of punches; eager to fight.
"Prowl's last Pokémon is Hitmonchan; his strongest fighter! Could Ash be in trouble now?" Blaster asked another rhetorical question.
"Gliscor use Giga Impact on Metagross!" Gliscor sprang up; a purple light surrounded him as he flew across the arena.
"Metagross use Iron Defense!" Shockwave shouted; actually losing his cool this time. A bright silver sheen coated Metagross just before Gliscor slammed into him. Metagross wobbled; but remained standing.
"And Metagross deflects Gliscor's Giga Impact!" Blaster shouted.
"Hitmonchan use Vacuum Wave on Gliscor before he can flee!" Hitmonchan began whirling his fists around as fast as he could. A wave of pale blue energy flew across the arena and slammed into the fleeing Gliscor. Gliscor landed on his tummy. Swirls appeared in his eyes.
"Oh, and Gliscor gets knocked down by an expertly fired Vacuum Wave before he can flee!" Blaster's comment made Ash growl.
"Gliscor return. Go Buizel!" Ash's weasel appeared in Gliscor's place. He waved a paw at his opponents, as if to say 'come and get me!'
"Now that's an eager looking Buizel!" Blaster grinned; his Buizel was an eager battler as well!
"Aerial Ace on Metagross, Staraptor!" Staraptor flew at Metagross and slammed his wings into his opponent. Metagross wobbled; but remained on its feet. Just how strong is that Metagross? Ash wondered.
"Buizel use Water Pulse on Metagross!" Buizel collected a ball of water in paws; which flew at Metagross. This time; Metagross actually looked like it was going to fall from the damage. It remained standing; proving how strong its will was.
"Metagross use Metal Claw! Get that Staraptor!" Shockwave sounded worried; Metagross had barely any health left. It ran forward, silver coating its claws on its foreleg once more. It slashed Staraptor's stomach, making him cry out.
"Staraptor use Close Combat on Hitmonchan!" Staraptor flew in; punching Hitmonchan with his talons. Hitmonchan shook himself; remaining on his feet.
"Hitmonchan use Comet Punch!" Staraptor got a surprise when Hitmonchan punched him back. Once. Twice. Three Times. Four Times; all in quick succession. Staraptor quickly flew back to Ash; before he could get hit any more.
"Buizel use Aqua Jet!" Buizel spun his tail like a propeller and flew across the arena at Metagross. Water surrounded him as he flew. He slammed into Metagross, who finally collapsed with all the damage it'd taken.
"And an Aqua Jet from Buizel finally brings down Shockwave's Metagross!" Blaster remarked while Shockwave nervously returned Metagross to its pokéball.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to use him, but… You've left me no choice." Shockwave glared at Buizel and Staraptor.
"Go Aggron!" A Pokémon that looked like a large metallic dinosaur appeared. Aggron roared; eager to battle.
"And Shockwave's Aggron finally joins the battle!" Blaster looked eager; as though he was happy that Ash was providing a challenge for the Elite Four.
"Aggron use Iron Tail!" Aggron ran forward with a roar. His tail became covered in silver as he swung it around. Staraptor squawked as he got hit. He quickly recovered.
"Hitmonchan use Bullet Punch!" Hitmonchan ran forward and slammed his fist into Staraptor's stomach. Staraptor flapped his wings; eager to hit the Pokémon that had just punched him.
"Staraptor use Brave Bird on Hitmonchan!" Staraptor soared into the air, a blue light coating him.
"Another extremely risky attack. Staraptor really is a Brave Bird!" Blaster's pun earned a few groans. Staraptor slammed into Hitmonchan, knocking the Pokémon to the ground. Staraptor shivered from the effects of the recoil as Hitmonchan got himself back to his feet.
"Use Sky Uppercut!" Hitmonchan ran forward giving Staraptor a powerful uppercut. Staraptor wobbled in the sky; but remained in the air.
"Use Quick Attack on Hitmonchan!" Ash commanded. Staraptor quickly flew in and slammed into Hitmonchan; before he could escape.
"It seems that Staraptor and Hitmonchan are really going at it!"
"Buizel use Ice Punch on Aggron!" Buizel ran at Aggron; his right paw becoming covered in ice. He punched his fist into Aggron's stomach. The larger Pokémon wobbled a little; but remained on his feet.
"Aggron use Headbutt before that weasel can escape!" Shockwave was worried. Aggron wasn't as strong as his Metagross; and would definitely struggle to continue battling after a Close Combat from Staraptor. Aggron lowered his head and charged at Buizel. The headbutt sent Buizel flying back to Ash. Buizel landed on his front.
"Come on Buizel, you can do it!" Ash cheered on his Pokémon once more. Buizel stood back up; eagerly gesturing for Hitmonchan and Aggron to come and get him.
"Staraptor use Close Combat on Aggron! Buizel use Water Pulse on Hitmonchan!" Shockwave's eye widened when he heard what Ash called.
"Dodge it Aggron!" Shockwave shouted desperately. Aggron heard his master and was about to move; when he felt the first punch from Staraptor. The punches knocked him back towards Shockwave. Meanwhile, Hitmonchan had been sent flying back towards Prowl by the ball of water from Buizel. Both them landed beside each other.
"Could this be it?" Blaster asked, trying to see through the dust that flew into the air from both Pokémon hitting the ground. When the dust settled, everyone saw that Hitmonchan and Aggron both had swirls in their eyes.
"Aggron and Hitmonchan are unable to battle! That means Ash has defeated the first of the Elite Four!" Blaster shouted very loudly to be heard over the cheering from the crowd.
"Ash did very well there." May commented.
"Did you see Shockwave when Ash called for Close Combat on Aggron? He was dancing around like Dawn with her pompoms!" Misty laughed.
"If those two are the first of the Elite Four, who could the other six be?" Brock wondered. The Elite Four here were double battlers; so there would be six more trainers stronger than Prowl and Shockwave. Seven; the champion is stronger than all of them! Brock was nervous; unsure who else in the Cybertron region might be that strong. He still believed that Megatron might be the champion.
"There you go Ash." Rung handed Ash back his pokéballs.
"Thank you Rung." Ash couldn't help grinning at the smile Rung gave in response.
"Now then Ash, are you ready to battle the second of the Elite Four?" Blaster asked him, turning to Spectro; the nearest one of the Reflector triplets to him. Ash nodded, Pikachu chirping eagerly.
"Then let's bring out the next two!" Blaster announced and two more shadowy shapes made their way out to the arena.
AN: I'll just leave that there. Spectro, Viewfinder and Spyglass form G1 Reflector. G1 Blaster would make an awesome announcer; so he is one in this fic. I had to put Rung in this fic as well; poor mech needs a little love! I'm sure you all have ideas who the Elite Four (and Champion!) are.