Switch Up! A Tale of Multi-Verse Ash Ketchum!

Chapter 20: True Metal

Alain silently returned Tyranitar, eyeing the small bird. Rowlet looked around and bathed in the praise the cheerful crowd gave it "I won't take it lightly again…" He pulls out a Pokeball "Next one is!"

Ash watches as Metagross comes out of the Pokeball and his eyes narrow at seeing something tied to the Pokémon's leg… 'Wait… is that?!'

"Meteor Mash!"

Ash snaps to attention at that, as Metagross sails over the field towards Rowlet "Fly and get away! Get Metagross with Seed Bomb!"

"Roh!" Rowlet flies up and evades the attack, before blowing his trusty Everstone at Metagross!"

The Seed Bomb bounced off, not really doing too much damage. Rowlet dutifully flies to recover it and awaits Ash's order.

Alain smirks at this "Rock Slide!"

Rowlet screams in shock as giant boulders pop up above it.

"Dodge them and use Razor Leaf to break through them!"

Rowlet flies around, dodging the falling rocks and using Razor Leaf when convenient to destroy them. This worked until one of them came too close to Rowlet. Soon after that, another boulder came at him, will little time to destroy it.

"Rowlet use Seed Bomb to destroy it, quick!"

Rowlet nods and shoots off a Seed Bomb at the boulder and went to retrieve it…

"Metagross! Use Agility to get to that stone!"

Ash looks in shock at Alain, at discovering so soon the weakness of Rowlet's preference for the Everstone.

Metagross zoomed into the stone faster than Rowlet could and simply picked it up with its claws.

Rowlet stops in shock at seeing Metagross with its stone… "Roh…"

Alain nods at his Pokemon "Good job, Metagross… now destroy it!"

"No!" Ash cries out in shock.

The Iron Leg Pokemon seems smug as it destroys Rowlet's Everstone into dust with its claws…

Rowlet looks on in shock, the idea of its precious stone being destroyed never passed through its head…

Rowlet's eyes narrow as it gives a cry of anger "ROH!" Yellow light envelops it as it charges at high speed at Metagross.

"Rowlet stop!" Ash calls out to his Pokemon.

"Oh? Brave Bird huh?" Alain smirks at that "We've got the solution for that! Use Meteor Mash! Clash with it!"

Metagross sails towards Rowlet and both clash fiercely, until the latter rebounds to the ground in pain "Roh!"

"Rowlet stop!" Ash orders his Pokemon, catching its attention this time "We got to play this smart! Take it easy and we'll avenge your stone!"

Rowlet looks at Ash for a second, before it nods in understanding.

Ash looks up to Metagross and grits his teeth "If we fight head on, we lose! So let's do this! Fly towards Metagross!"

Rowlet nods and flies towards Metagross, its body hurting, but decided to avenge its Everstone.

"Let's see what you've got! Metal Claw!"

Metagross jumps after Rowlet and swings one of its legs at Rowlet.

"Dodge it!"

Rowlet narrowly dodges and prepares for an attack.

"Now Brave Bird!"

"Meet it with Meteor Mash!"

Metagross quickly turns around and hastily charges up the move, clashing with Rowlet. Rowlet presses this advantage and pushes… and pushes…. And the yellow glow of Brave Bird intensifies and grows in size…

Both techniques stop as Metagross is pushed a bit backwards while the other one lands roughly on the ground.

"Trix…" From the clash, Rowlet comes out completely different. Rowlet was larger, with different plumage and all around a more alert aura around it.

"Look at that! Rowlet has evolved in the middle of the battle! Can this tide the battle in Ash's favor!?" The announcer calls out "Now it's a Dartrix!"

'Rowlet evolved because its Everstone was destroyed…' Ash sweat drops at the thought…

"Better finish this off quickly" Alain mumbles under his breath "Metagross use Metal Claw!"

Metagross closes the distance with Rowlet and readies a strike "Meta!"

"Now Dartrix! Use Feather Dance!"

Dartrix's plumage vibrates as the Blade Quill Pokemon leaves a substitute made of feathers "Trix!"

"What!?" Alain exclaims as he sees Dartrix avoid the move, thinking it too injured to move.

"Now counter that!" Ash exclaims loudly.

Dartrix's foot gets covered in violet energy as they slam in Metagross "Dar-Trix!"

"Meta!" Metagross cries in pain at the effective move.

"That's Shadow Claw!" Ash recognizes the move and smirks, things not looking as bleak as they were.

That is until Alain raises his Mega Ring again…

"Oh hell no…"

In the void…

"W-what!? He's going to Mega Evolve his Metagross as well!?" Sinnoh-Ash stutters out in shock.

Kalos-Ash and Darkrai were not far behind "Impossible…"

"Improbable to be exact" Oak thinks hard on the league's rules "There isn't any rule that doesn't let you mega evolve multiple Pokemon"

"But that's not fair!" OS-Ash complains…

In the battlefield…

"But that's not fair!" Ash complains to the referee.

The battle came to a stop as Alain's Metagross turned Mega. The referee stopped the match and was called by the League organizer.

"I know, but there's nothing I can do" The referee explains "The rules say that you can mega evolve Pokemon, not how many"

In the stands…

"That is so unfair…" Trevor looks through his PSS to see the rules "It doesn't state a max amount of Megas…"

"I guess nobody expected someone to find more than one" Tierno considers.

"They're rare, so I guess it makes sense" Serena sighs in disappointment.

"But that makes Ash's battle harder" Clemont clenches his hands "It's like something is stopping Ash from winning…"

In the battlefield…

"Let the battle continue!"

Ash eyes the Mega Metagross skeptically and then turns to look at Dartrix. It was too tired to continue, so Ash decided on the best course of action…

"I forfeit Dartrix" Ash announces loudly "He can't go on much longer"

And just as he said that, Dartrix turns to look at Ash with a grateful look. The Pokemon falls on its back, completely tired.

"Trainer Ash forfeited his Dartrix. Bring your next Pokemon!"

"And trainer Ash forfeits his Dartrix which gave a valiant fight!" The announcer says while clapping respectfully, something mirrored by the crowd.

Ash meanwhile ponders on his next choice, and comes to a decision after long "I need your help, Melmetal!"

From the Pokeball comes out the giant Melmetal, who excitedly waves at the crowd in its sluggish way.

In the Champion's Booth…

"N-No way…" Sycamore stands up to get a better view "That's a Melmetal…"

"What's a Melmetal?" Diantha looks at the Professor, confused on the Pokémon's identity.

"Melmetal is a Mythical Pokemon that was thought to be lost for millennia!" Sycamore sits back and uses the computer to his side to get a better look at the Pokemon "I can't believe it!"

In the battlefield…

"Let's see you get through my Melmetal, Alain!"

"I have to admit I've never seen that Pokemon before! But Ash's name for it is Melmetal! We'll update as soon as we can offer information!" The announcer… announces…

Alain looks at the unknown Pokemon warily "It looks like a Steel Type… so let's clash Metal! Use Metal Claw, Metagross!"

Mega Metagross' four arms light up with steel type energy and races after Melmetal.

"Meet it with Double Iron Bash!"

Melmetal spins on the spot and send its nut fists towards Metagross' claws.

Both techniques clash in the middle and Melmetal soon slides in front of Metagross.

"Push forward, Metagross!"

"You can do it, Melmetal!" Ash smirks as an idea comes to mind "Use Flash Cannon!"

Melmetal bellows as form its head releases a silver beam that hits Mega Metagross head on.

"Meta!"

"Metagross get away and use Rock Slide!"

Metagross pushes to the side and hails boulders at Melmetal.

Ash smirks at this "Melmetal use Double Iron Ball to spin!"

Melmetal clashes his nut hands and starts spinning at high speeds. The tornado of metal that formed easily destroyed each and every boulder sent at it.

"Now send them to Metagross and catch it!"

Melmetal comes from the spin and sends its arms towards Metagross, who couldn't react as they twisted around it.

Melmetal retracts its arms and ends up with Metagross' body snugly held against its body.

"Use Flash Cannon full power!"

Melmetal sends the beam directly at Metagross' head. The Iron Leg Pokemon bellows in pain as its hit repeatedly in the head.

"Metagross get away now!" Alain cries out desperately "Use Meteor Mash to get away!"

Metagross' body is covered in blue energy as tries to fly away from Melmetal, its body elongating as if chewing gum. Finally the pressure was too much and Metagross flew around the battlefield with Melmetal tightly holding its body.

"Shake it off!"

Metagross spins wildly to pry Melmetal off its body.

Ash looks at this and comes up with a strategy "Okay Melmetal use Harden grip it's body better!"

Melmetal liquid-like body tightened around Metagross body as if solid metal turning the latter's effort in vain.

"Don't stop giving those Flash Cannon! We take down that Metagross!" Ash shouts encouragingly.

Melmetal rains Flash Cannon over Metagross who could not take any more damage.

Metagross suddenly stops hovering and falls to the ground, completely unconscious. It glows as Mega Evolution wears off. Melmetal walks out and pumps its fist happily.

"Metal!"

"Well done Melmetal!"

In the void…

"That's… a strong Pokemon" Hoenn-Ash comments lightly.

"Melmetal is a Mythical Pokemon on the leagues of Volcanion, Keldeo and Darkrai himself" Oak explains in Professor Mode.

"It's not stronger than me" Darkrai rebuffs the Professor.

"It's a powerful addition to Ash's team all around" Brock looks at the Pokemon critically "It was luck that Metagross didn't have anything to counter, because Melmetal's speed would be a severe weakness…"

"That's the problem I guess" Kalos-Ash scratches his neck "I'm not good with slow Pokemon…"

In the battlefield…

'I have to take down that one…' Alain thinks on that before coming to a decision "Come out Charizard!"

Alain's Charizard comes out of the Pokeball and roars to the crowds excitement.

"Alain's Charizard is here!"

"Woo it's so strong!"

Many cheers were heard in the crowd and Ash didn't share the excitement… In fact, he looked particularly pale as memories replayed before his eyes…

"Kaenhoshaaa!"

"KAMINARI PANCHI!"

"BURASTO BANAAAA!"

"DORAGON CROW!"

Ash shudders at those thoughts… 'Okay Ash you can do this…'

"BLAST BURN!"

"MELMETAL RUN AWAY!"

Melmetal looks at Ash uncertainly as the powerful Fire type move hits it. Melmetal bellowed in pain but spun in its place to counter the flames.

Ash snaps at that "Sorry Melmetal… I spaced out! But you did it well!" Ash smiles at his Pokemon "Come on use Flash Cannon!"

"Flamethrower!"

Charizard's Flamethrower easily overpowers Melmetal's Flash Cannon and the Pokemon is bathed in flames again.

Melmetal falls to the ground with little energy to move…

"Melmetal is unable to battle! Due to Trainer Ash losing three Pokemon, we'll change the field!"

In the void…

"Okay… I saw him panicking about that Charizard…" OS-Ash comments as he watches the battle in the screen.

Kalos-Ash nods in agreement "I don't think it could have traumatized me… that much"

"This is ridiculous" Darkrai adds his two PoKé "That Charizard beat Melmetal with little effort"

In the battlefield…

The battlefield descended into the underground, changing into a new field.

Ash thinks on his choices for the moment… 'Three Pokemon left… I have few choices as well in typing. If he keeps Charizard…"

The battlefield came up and now there was a grassy field that had some rock formations on the side.

"Both trainers choose your Pokemon!"

"Unfezant it's your turn!"

Ash sighs in relief at that and pulls a Beast Ball "A flying type huh!? Then an aerial battle it is! Naganadel you can do it!"

The Ultra Beast comes out of the ball and quickly zooms towards Ash, embracing him cheerfully "Naaa!"

"Come on Naganadel! It's battle time!" Ash pries the Pokemon away with a smile.

"Another unknown Pokemon under the ownership of Ash Ketchum!" The announcer cries out in shock "Its name is Naganadel and its typing is completely unknown! From its appearance you cannot guess anything!"

Alain was in the same position as the announcer "I don't know where you get these unknown Pokemon Ash, but it won't be enough to beat us!"

"I'm just grateful that Unfezant doesn't have a Mega Evolution" Ash barks out in annoyance "But we'll beat you nevertheless!"

"We'll see about that! Unfezant use Air Slash!"

"Counter with Sludge Bomb!"

Naganadel shots the Poison type move at Unfezant who flaps its wings to release a cutting gust of wind.

Both techniques neutralize each other and soon the trainers were calling the next move.

"Get in close with Steel Wing!" Alain calls out.

"Go toe to toe with X-Scissor!"

Naganadel practically appears before Unfezant and slams its stinger. Unfezant blocks with its wing and attacks at the same time, but Naganadel, even with one offensive limb, blocked everything.

"That Naganadel is too fast!" The announcer calls out "Could it be a Poison/Bug Type according to its moves!?"

"Detect the next attack!" Alain shouts to Unfezant.

The Proud Pokemon rapidly evades the next assault and makes a nice distance with Naganadel's back.

"Now use Sky Attack!"

Unfezant gets covered in bright energy as it soars at Naganadel's back.

Ash smirks at this "Let it come, Naganadel! Meet it with Thunderbolt!"

"What!? Unfezant get away!" The Mega Evolution Trainer commands his Pokemon in haste "Don't let that hit you!"

It was too late as Naganadel already released a high voltage dose of pain unto the Flying Type Pokemon.

"Zaaant!" Unfezant cries out in pain at the continuous income of electricity.

"Now finish it with X-Scissor!" Ash pumps his fist to the sky.

Naganadel cries out "Gaaa-Del!" And it speeds towards Unfezant, zooming behind it as a green slash appears on Unfezant.

The Proud Pokemon falls to the ground fainted.

"Unfezant cannot continue!"

And then, the playing field was even…

BREAK

Hello again, long time no see!

SO, many things happened here.

Rowlet evolved. That is important to remark. It happened because Metagross destroyed its precious… in a Gollum way. I mean, after defeating its own evolved form, shouldn't it be more than ready to evolve? So in essence, it evolved and replaced Seed Bomb with Shadow Claw, a move it learns in Gen VIII.

Then the issue of multiple Megas… did you really think it was over like that!? Remember Ash is being sabotaged to lose! Well in the anime it doesn't say you can't Mega Evolve one Poke after the other. Hell in the manga X Mega Evolves FIVE POKEMON AT THE SAME TIME, so going mega with three Pokemon for a supposed Mega Evolution Trainer can't be hard, right?

But for your sake, of the Pokemon left only Charizard can Mega Evolve. I decided to keep the same team as the real battle.

Then comes Melmetal, a poor sap that's been duped with the job of losing on the anime. I mean it debuts in the Alola League Finals and loses without one fucking win. Not even a tie with Silvally. I would have accepted that!

Here though, it beat Mega Metagross and lost to Charizard… sound familiar? I poked some fun there, if you get it, cool.

Then comes the battle between Naganadel and Unfezant. Just to make it clear if it isn't. I DON'T LIKE UNFEZANT. I HATE THE DESIGN AND IN THE METAGAME IS HORRIBLE. IN THE ANIME, ASH SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A BRAVIARY OR A MANDIBUZZ (Even if I don't like the latter's design… At least it's viable in competitive…). I WAS GENEROUS TO THE STUPID BIRD BY GIVING IT DETECT, SO BE GRATEFUL! SO obviously Naganadel would plow through it. But next battle will be more difficult…

-o-

-KALOS LEAGUE-

ALOLA-ASH Vs ALAIN

Lycanroc (X) Vs Tyranitar (MEGA)

Rowlet Vs Tyranitar (MEGA – X)

Rowlet/Dartrix (F) Vs Metagross (MEGA)

Melmetal Vs Metagross (MEGA – X)

Melmetal (X) Vs Charizard

Naganadel Vs Unfezant (X)

-o-

REVIEWS (I'M ANSWERING LAST CHAPTERS AS THE OTHERS I USSUALY REPLIED TO)

DarkFireCat5241999: Ash still has a mythical and an ultra-beast on par with Legendaries.

ME: Yep, he has. Melmetal is debatable due to Ash not using it properly. Also it's more a tank than an attacker I think. Naganadel, you'll see in action in this chapter.

Lightningblade49: Well...z moves & megas are out of the way now given that fact a part of me really wants a showdown between Ash & Alain's Charizard's but we'll see Ash could have the best replacement to counter the meddling with his new son Nebby...

ME: Are they though? *Mysterious babbling*

Thor94: good chapter. But even if Ash won Alola league, you shouldn't raise his skills, Don't forget that compared to other regions, Alola had a wannabe league, the top8 trainer of Alola was just barely stronger than the worst trainers (top256) of indigo league, Alola league accepted everyone, including the random tourist or the resident old grandma could enter with her Pokemon pet and few other Pokemon borrowed by the grandson to complete her team.

Also I hope you will make Arceus appear soon, and have Ash demand why he involved himself to make sure he loses all the leagues in both original timeline and more obviously in the new one.

ME: Thanks. Mmm going by your logic, in top 256 of the Indigo Conference we have Mandi (Seadra, Exeggutor and Golbat). Top 8 of Manalo Conference we have Sophocles (Vikavolt and Togedemaru), James (Mareanie and Pokemon he could call on (Carnivine, Cacnea, Mime Jr and Inkay)), Lana (Primarina, Eevee and Lapras) and Hau (Raichu and Decidueye). It is true that they could get to Top 64 or 32 in the Indigo League, but the others are more competitive trainers. Guzma, Kiawe and Gladion are. They would have eaten alive Ritchie in the Indigo Conference, who was Top 8. The one who fell Ritchie, Assunta, would have been trampled by them with the team she showed. It's kind of ambiguous measuring trainers from different leagues as there are different standards. If you want to discuss further we can chat, obviously. Also Arceus will appear soon.

DarklighterUSA: So I'm assuming it's his team that he used against Kukui, so his team is probably Pikachu, Rowlet Lycanroc-D, Melmetal, Incineroar, and Naganadel. The only one who shouldn't really stand up against Alain is Rowlet, but Ash was able to correct that with Bloom Doom. Looks good for Ash!

ME: You assume correctly! It was the only way I could mend Rowlet in. The other was fighting Unfezant with its type disadvantage and all. If Ash had the Flynium Z it would be another story.

Guest: Can't wait for the next chapter my dude or dudette

ME: Dude, and thanks!

Lector Luigi: Crear update. Welcome back.

YO: Gracias, podemos hablar español jajaja

-o-

So I updated the next day, I don't think it will happen all the time. If it happens, cool. If not, you're warned.