Act Three: Need a Six to Proceed

Pokemon Battle #000000: The Last Alliance (Ash Ketchum vs. May Maple—unsanctioned by the Hoenn League)

Pokemon Battle Round #1: Glaceon (Ash 1st seed) vs. Ariados (May 1st seed)

Ash launched the preemptive strike by commanding Glaceon to use Quick Attack. Since its evolution from Eevee, Glaceon had gotten stronger and faster especially under May's supervision. In fact, the Pokemon was faster than Pikachu while its attack took a devastating, first-strike blow on Ariados.

"Not so tough now, are you?" Ash said confidently. "Nice work, Glaceon. Finish it off with Ice Beam!"

"We're just starting, Ash. Ariados use String Shot and aim for Glaceon's feet!"

While Glaceon was charging up for another attack, Ariados grabbed its feet with String Shot and sent its opponent on a one-way ticket around the battlefield in mid-air. The Ice Beam attack eventually failed.

"No, Glaceon!"

"Ariados, follow it up with Night Shade!"

The spider-like Pokemon's eyes glowed black and unleashed an array of black rays, hitting its mark. Glaceon helplessly fell down to the ground with lethal force; it could barely stand on its feet.

"Don't give up! Remember, this one's for May! This is for your trainer!"

"Give it up. Even Pokemon have their limitations too, you know."

"May's Glaceon is not through with your Ariados yet! Come on!"

"I like your burning spirit. But everything must come to an abrupt end! Ariados, time to wrap this one up with Night Shade!"

"Glaceon, Ice Beam…full power!"

Both Night Shade and Ice Beam went past one another. The array of beams hit their intended mark, knocking down both Pokemon out for the count. The first battle ended in a draw. Ash hurried to the badly hurt Glaceon and brought it to his side while May commanded Ariados to return to its Pokeball—without any sympathy for its injuries at all.

"Glaceon, are you okay?"

The injured Pokemon opened its eyes and spoke up a little. "Gla…Gla…"

"Don't worry, you'll be just fine. You were great back there; take a good long rest."

Battle Round #1 Result: Glaceon (Ash) takes 179 damage points (+25 percent critical hit) from Night Shade. Ariados (May) takes 224 damage points from Ice Beam. Both Pokemon are unable to battle; round draw.

--0--0--0--0--0--

Pokemon Battle Round #2: Pikachu (Ash 2nd seed) vs. Haunter (May 2nd seed)

"Pikachu, it's up to you now. Give it your best shot."

"Pika…chu!" Ash's long-time and most trusted partner jumped off from his shoulder and into his side of the battlefield. "Pika…!"

"I knew you would use Pikachu sooner or later. Haunter, I choose you!"

The first round meant nothing compared to this round. It was the battle that would make or break May's fate on the wooden cross. However, it seemed that the crucified coordinator didn't want this battle to continue anymore. She didn't want to see any more of her friends getting hurt because of her.

"Stop the battle this instant!" cried May, crying.

"What the…? Have you gone insane, May?" Ash replied.

"I don't want anybody getting hurt because of me! Stop this battle—"

"I'VE COME TOO FAR NOW, MAY! JUST SHUT UP AND STAY STILL!"

It was the loudest voice she had ever heard from the trainer. His face was the angriest she had ever seen. His burning spirit was the hottest she had ever felt, emanating from inside. She spoke no more but she started to cry not because of the sudden outburst of emotions but because of the fact that Ash would be willing to sacrifice his life for another—even if it meant digging his own grave.

"May, I swore in front of your Dad that I would protect you. That's what I'm going to do right now."

"Aw…how sweet…too bad it'll only be for a short time! Haunter, put Pikachu to sleep with Hypnosis while doing Scary Face!"

Haunter's eyes started glowing red while staring at Pikachu with a scary face literally. But this Pikachu was as smart as its trainer. It closed its eyes and stood its ground.

"Pikachu, give Haunter a taste of your Volt Tackle!"

Pikachu's signature move hit its intended bull's-eye. In addition to the devastating attack, Haunter was paralyzed from hands to tail.

"Haunter, no…!"

"This one's for May! Pikachu, finish it off with another Volt Tackle!"

Haunter suddenly broke out of its paralysis and flew up to avoid another critical strike.

"Haunter, use Shadow Ball!"

The battlefield was bombarded with black, round balls that exploded on impact. Pikachu took three serious hits before falling down on the battleground, all battered and weak.

"It's over, Ash Ketchum. You've lost. May's body is as good as mine."

"Pikachu, can you stand up?"

"Don't push your Pokemon too far. It's already at its limit of its abilities."

"Pikachu's not done yet! We've battled together against the odds throughout our journey. It will take more than a barrage of Shadow Balls to put my pal down."

Pikachu was back up again as if the Shadow Ball barrage proved ineffective. Despite the Pokemon's battered state, Pikachu wants some more action.

"T-That's impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible as long as Pokemon and trainer fight as one…unlike the likes of you who don't have sympathy for injured Pokemon like your Ariados."

"Don't tell me what you think is right! Haunter, use Shadow Ball again!"

"Pikachu, use the walls and launch a Quick Attack!"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha…you're seriously going to use a Normal Attack on a Ghost Pokemon? If you are already calling it quits, then just say so."

As expected, Pikachu's Quick Attack proved to be ineffective against Haunter as it passed through the ghost Pokemon like a hot knife through butter. But that wasn't the reason why he told Pikachu to execute the attack.

"Now Pikachu, Thunderbolt it…!"

"W-What…?"

The goal of Quick Attack was to get closer to Haunter and let Pikachu pass through the ghost Pokemon's transparent body. At the exact moment, Pikachu released a hundred thousand volts of electricity. The closer Pikachu got, the more damaging the electric attack was. Haunter fell down to the battleground, down for the count. Pikachu landed on its four small feet, severely exhausted but felt like a winner.

Battle Round #2 Results: Pikachu (Ash) takes 253 damage points (+40 percent critical hit x3) from Shadow Ball. Haunter (May) takes 302 damage points (+35 percent critical hit plus attack range bonus) from Thunderbolt. Haunter is unable to battle; Pikachu wins. Victory goes to Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town.

--0--0--0--0--0--

The pack of Ariados and other ghost Pokemon couldn't accept the defeat of their mistress and decided to take matters into their own hands. They surrounded the entire battleground area; no escape route unsealed and no small hole unblocked. Pikachu was too exhausted to make another clearing and Glaceon was too badly hurt to even stand on its four feet.

"Stand down, everyone! Let them go!"

Surprised, the hostile Pokemon backed down and opened up a way out for them peacefully. A Gastly approached May and used Psychic to untie the rope knots and put her down gently on solid ground. May was happy to be back on solid ground but she was happier when Ash crashed through adversity. Both of them gave each other a warm and tight hug.

"You have no idea how glad I am to see you, Ash." said May, crying. "Don't do something like that ever again."

"I did it because Glaceon felt very lonely." The victorious trainer replied. "I felt very lonely without you."

"Ash…I didn't know…that you were willing to go the distance just for me."

"I'd go anywhere as long as you're safe and sound. Come on, let's go home."

May nodded her head. The Ariados and the other ghost Pokemon, as well as their mistress, watched them leave the manor that gave the both of them so much trouble.

"So this is what love feels like."

END OF ACT THREE