Chapter 40: The Past Revealed Ash vs Noel
Disclaimer I don't own Pokemon and I didn't make Reborn
Ash ran to the house, once inside he saw everyone sitting or standing around a table in the far-right corner.
"ASH!" Victoria and Shelly shouted as they ran to him. The two girls hugged Ash.
"Are both of you?"
The girls broke the hug, Victoria turned to Ash with a smile, "Yes I'm fine. But . . ." Victoria reassured by traced off somewhere.
Ash started to grow concerned, "What happened?" Ash asked.
Everyone looked down, "You see . . . we saw Saphira on a giant Steelix, then she was confronted by a green hair woman with a Hydreigon and she took down Steelix in one attack." Laura explained.
Ash's eyes wide open in shock, "Lin took down that Steelix in one move?!" Ash thought to himself in shock.
"What happened to Saphira?!" Ash asked in worry.
Noel looked down, "She fell off the peak at Tanzan Mountain. I hate to say it, but she might not make it." Noel answered.
Ash's eyes wide open, "Noel!" Anna shouted in anger.
"Come on everyone!" Charlotte shouted making everyone turn to her.
"This is Saphira we're talking about! The strongest Gym Leader in this Region! I'm sure that she pulled a Dragonite in mid-air!" Charlotte explained.
Everyone nodded in response, "Anyway, who was that woman?" Charlotte asked everyone.
"Ash do you know?" Noel asked Ash.
"I do." Ash answered making everyone turn to him, "Her name is Lin. And she is the true boss of Team Meteor." Ash answered surprising everyone while Charlotte's expression was curious.
"Lin . . . where have I heard that name before?" Charlotte asked.
"Ash!" Anna called out making him turn to her, "Did you get my pendent back?" Anna asked.
Ash frowned, closed his eyes and shook his head, "I'm sorry, I couldn't find them." Ash answered.
Anna frowned and lowered her head sadly, "Oh, ok." Anna replied.
"Why would they take a pendent?" Shelly asked as she sat down.
"It's not because it's a pendent, it's because it's the Amethyst." Ash answered making everyone turn to him.
"Why would they want it?" Noel asked.
"It's because it's a key." Ash answered surprising Noel, Anna and Shelly, but not the others.
"Wait . . . wait . . . a key?" Shelly asked making Ash nod his head in response and making Shelly's eyes wide open and turned to Anna.
"Anna . . . um, how l-long have you h-had that pendent?" Shelly asked.
Anna turned to her, "I've had it for as long as I can remember. It's from our parents." Anna answered making Noel nod in agreement.
"I remember a book I read once. It describe an ancient city that was built on a crash site of a fallen meteor that landed in the Reborn Region. The temple was sealed by fours keys. A Ruby, Amethyst, Sapphire and an Emerald. But the city fell into ruin and was lost. What if your pendent is one of those keys?" Shelly explained then asked.
Anna and Noel were surprised by this, "Yeah it is." Ash replied confirming this.
"But . . . that would mean, the ancient city." Noel started.
"Became Reborn." Charlotte finished.
Ash nodded, "Yeah, the ancient Temple is beneath Reborn. Its why Team Meteor blew up the stairway." Ash explained making everyone turn to him.
"I heard when city officials explored underneath, they found a huge cavern that leads to a locked door." Shelly added on.
"Ok, so they found the locked door, so they just need these four keys." Charlotte explained.
Shelly gasped, "Heather's Ruby Ring! It must be one!" Shelly shouted in shock.
"Yeah, it's why he did what he did." Ash said with his anger inside building.
Everyone turned to him, "Whose he?" Charlotte asked.
Ash turned to everyone, before looking away. Something that Victoria didn't like, "Ash. What aren't you telling us?" Victoria asked with her eyes narrowed.
Ash glanced at everyone, "You really want ya know?" Ash asked making everyone nod in response.
Ash sighed in defeat, "You know that Corey had a wife right, Elena Molinar!" Ash asked.
Shelly, Laura and Anna nodded slowly, "I remember her. She was an Elite Four member. I used to study her battles. But I heard she died in childbirth." Laura answered.
Ash turned his head so that he's facing them, pulled a chair and sat down, "(Sigh) that's not exactly true." Ash replied confusing everyone.
"Wh-what you mean?" Shelly asked getting scared.
Ash sighed sadly again, "Before Corey . . . jumped off the bridge, he gave me a sliver ring and a purple key card." Ash started as he raised his right hand showing everyone the ring.
"The ring as it turned out was a way so that Corey's Pokemon would recognise it and they would want to join me. And while I was looking for Heather and Cain, I went back to Corey's Gym, found a secret room with that Key Card he gave me and found this." Ash continued as he opened his bag and pulled out the Key Card and the Diary.
"What's that?" Charlotte asked while looking at the Dairy.
Ash didn't answer for a bit, "It belonged to Corey and it explained what happened." Ash answered as he picked it up and began reading it.
"Dear Heather, . . . by the time you read this, you will be strong. I was not raised to be strong, that why I raised you the way I did. So that you can be strong, so that you won't fell a thing whenyou get your revenge on the man who ruined our lives. I was raised to be naïve and I suffered because of that. I told you for the longest time that your mother had passed . . . But I never told you how." Ash started surprising everyone as the younger kids started to tense up.
"If there's one thing I learned when growing up, is that reality is curel. You must learn that the moment you were born, I didn't. Team Meteor sought to cleanse the city and restore it to its former heritage. A holy site. To this end . . . they take no prisoners. I joined their ranks to sabotage them." Ash continued surprising everyone.
"But specifically, I sought the man who killed your mother. He was after an artefact. One that I foolishly bestowed upon her. He saw her life was a small price to pay. I will see to it that he pays with his blood. He ended her life with a poison, when I discovered her IV was laced out, I stuck against him. One of the few things I take pride in my life were the screams he made while he pulled the syringe from his bleeding eye. He may have survived but his wound will mark him for the rest of his life and to remind him of what I've done to him. Since then I converted the poison that killed Helena into a poison that controls others and brings retribution upon the guilty. My beautiful daughter we will end this together and no matter what happens, just know that I love you, you mean the world to me and I am happy to call you my daughter." Ash finished before he slowly closed the dairy.
Everyone was shocked down to the core. Ash sighed sadly, "When I read this dairy, I was more determined than ever to stop Team Meteor. I just didn't realize that the higherups of Team Meteor would so . . . strong and . . . so terrifying." Ash added on.
Everyone stared at him for a bit. Victoria walked behind Ash and wrapped her arms around his neck, "I'm sorry Ash. I had no idea that you were carrying such burden." Victoria apologized.
"Wait . . . so, . . . the person had his eye destroyed, but that would mean . . ." Anna started as she remembered the man who took her pendent.
"Yeah. The man who killed Corey's wife, took Heather's mother away from her was . . . Sirius." Ash declared making everyone gasp in shock.
After a bit Ash looked up with a determined look, "I promised Corey that I would protect Heather no matter what. And I'm going to keep my word and Sirius will get what's coming to him. I swear it." Ash declared in determination.
Everyone nodded in agreement, "Alright. So, they have the Ruby and the Amethyst. You have the Sapphire, which just leaves the Emerald." Laura explained.
"We need to stop Team Meteor from getting the Keys. Whatever they could be planning it can't be good!" Anna shouted making everyone nod in response.
Charlotte's eyes widen, "You said the keys were embedded into jewellery, right?" Charlotte asked.
Ash nodded in response, "Do you have the sapphire?" Charlotte asked.
"Yeah I have it here." Ash replied as he reached into his bag, pulled it out and showed everyone the Sapphire bracelet.
Charlotte and Laura gasped in shock, "That's . . ." Laura shouted in shock making everyone else turn to her confused.
Charlotte turned to Ash, "Where did you get that?!" Charlotte asked.
Ash raised an eyebrow, "I got it from Amaria who got it from her friend called . . . I think her name was Titania, why?" Ash answered before asking.
Charlotte and Laura turned to each other, stared at each other for a bit and turned back to everyone else, "You see . . . that used to be mine." Laura confessed surprising everyone.
"What?" Ash asked in shock.
"Pika?" Pikachu added on.
"But I lost it . . . after . . . mom and dad died." Laura explained.
"Oh." Anna said in sadness.
"I . . . didn't think it survived the fire." Laura added on.
"Wait fire? What fire?" Noel asked.
"Is that where you got those scars?" Anna asked Charlotte making everyone turn to Anna.
Charlotte gritted her teeth against each other, "For the lats time! I DON'T have scars! Look!" Charlotte answered as she rolled up her sleeves showing everyone her arms with no scars.
"But they are there." Anna replied looking at her arms.
Shelly looked at her arms carefully but not seeing anything, "I don't see anything." Shelly told Anna.
"Same here." Victoria agreed.
"Oh right, I keep forgetting. Sorry I won't talk about them anymore, anyway. What fire?" Anna asked turning to Laura.
Laura glanced at Charlotte who is rolling down her sleeves, "You see um . . . when we were younger Charlotte-"
"WOW ok, why not tell them the whole thing Laura!" Charlotte shouted as she stormed out of the house.
"Charlotte!" Laura shouted running after her leaving everyone alone.
After a minute of silence, "So . . . on that note?" Anna broke the silence making everyone turn to her.
"I know, how about Ash and Noel have that battle." Anna suggested.
"Right now?" Noel asked.
"Why not? Let's try and get this doom and gloom out of our minds for a bit. Let's go outside! Last one there is a rotten Exeggcute!" Anna shouted as she ran out of the house.
Noel sighed as he stood up, "Well, let's do this." Noel told the group.
"I'll meet you out there. I need to make a phone call." Ash replied.
Everyone were confused but shrugged it off as they walked out.
Ash walked to the back room with a PC Box and a phone, he dialled a number, "Hello?" An elder male voice asked from the other end.
"Hey, it's Ash." Ash greeted.
"Oh Ash! How are you?" The man asked.
"I'm good, how is he?" Ash asked.
"He's doing well." The man answered.
"Great! Is there a chance that he can re-join us?" Ash asked.
"Of course, he can. He misses you and when he watched the Alola League he wanted to join you again." The man answered happily.
"Great!" Ash replied just as happy.
"I'll go get him." The man replied as he left the phone.
After about three minutes a Poke Ball appeared in the slot, "Is he there?" The man asked.
Ash picked it up, "Yeah I got him." Ash answered.
"Great! Wish him luck for me." The man requested.
"Don't worry I will. Ok I got to go. Bye." Ash replied as he hung up.
"Pikachu." Pikachu said happily for his old teammate to be back.
"Yeah. We need all the help we can get. I'll get the others later, but he will be great against Noel." Ash replied as he walked out of the room.
Once they were outside Ash and Noel took their positions as they were earlier with Ash changing a few of his Pokemon. Victoria walked up, "Alright, I'll be referee! Each side will use six Pokemon and the battle will be over when all the Pokemon on one side are unable to continue. In addition, substitutions are allowed. Battle begin!" Victoria yelled as she swung her left hand down.
Ash took out a Poke Ball and smiled at it, "Let's do this! Goodra I choose you!" Ash shouted as his Kalos with a happy look and with a smile.
"Wow! A Goodra!" Anna shouted excited.
"I never knew he had a Goodra." Victoria thought to herself surprised.
"Wow! I've never seen a Goodra before in person." Shelly thought to herself amazed as well.
"Goodra!" Ash shouted happily making Goodra turn and smiled happily as well.
"Goodra!" Goodra shouted happily as he ran up to his trainer and hugged him.
Ash chuckled and returned the hug, "It's good to see you too." Ash told him happily.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted happily as he leaped form Ash's shoulder, landed on Goodra's shoulder and nuzzled his cheek.
"Ash when did you get a Goodra?" Victoria asked making the pair break the hug and turned to her.
"I caught Goodra when he was a Goomy in Kalos, as we travelled, he evolved into Sliggoo and then into Goodra." Ash explained.
"Goodra!"
"Pika, pika!" Both Goodra and Pikachu agreed as they nodded their heads.
"But I left Goodra at his homeland in Kalos with all of his friends." Ash said a bit sad making Goodra smile sadly at him.
"So that phone call you was so that you can get Goodra?" Noel asked.
Ash nodded in response, "Yeah and eventually I'm going to bring all the Pokemon that I had but released so that we have a better chance of battling Team Meteor." Ash explained making Goodra confused which Ash saw.
"I'll tell you later." Ash told him making him nod in response.
"But for now, let's battle. So, Goodra I choose you!" Ash shouted as Pikachu leaped off Goodra's shoulder, landed back on his trainer's shoulder, as Goodra turned to face Noel and smirked in determination.
"Ok then, Porygon-Z go!" Noel shouted softly as he tossed a Poke Ball releasing the Kanto Virtual Pokémon who hovered above the ground.
"Let's make the battle in your favour! Rain Dance!"
Goodra roared as dark clouds appeared in the sky and it started to rain.
Noel looked up, "Hmm, he made it rain huh?" Noel thought to himself before turning back to Ash.
"Goodra use Ice beam!"
Goodra formed a sphere in front of his mouth and fired light blue beams that flew towards Porygon-Z.
"Tri Attack!"
Porygon-Z raised its arms as three spheres appeared in a triangle formation, a yellow electric one, an ice light blue and a fire orange sphere.
The attacks slammed into each other and created an explosion at the centre of the field. When the smoke cleared it revealed both Pokemon unharmed.
"Discharge!"
Porygon-Z's body was surrounded by yellow electricity, before it fired the lightning in multiple directions, but all headed towards Goodra.
"Ice Beam on the ground!"
Goodra fired light blue beams on the ground, creating an ice wall in front of him.
The lightning slammed into, bounced off the wall, slammed into Porygon-Z and created an explosion, "What!?" Noel shouted in shock.
Anna and Victoria were surprised by this as well, "Battling against Serra really help with strategies." Ash thought to himself.
When the smoke cleared it revealed Porygon-Z floating where it was with only a few marks on its body, "Dragon Pulse!"
Goodra opened his mouth and fired energy that formed a dragon and flew towards Porygon-Z.
"Psychic!"
Porygon-Z's eyes glowed blue as a blue lining surrounded the Dragon Pulse.
Porygon-Z turned the Dragon Pulse around, slammed into Goodra and created an explosion, "You're not the only one who can play the reflective game." Noel said with a small smirk.
When the smoke cleared it showed Goodra with a few bruises, shaking his head with his eyes closed before he opened and faced Porygon-Z with a cross look.
"Tri Attack!"
Porygon-Z raised it arms as the same three energy spheres appeared, this time they flew separately with the yellow first, then light blue and orange behind them, but the orange orb was slightly smaller than the others.
"Goodra Bide!"
The spheres slammed into Goodra each one pushing him back slightly and each time making him grunt in pain.
Goodra turned to Porygon-Z with his body surrounded by a red lining.
Soon Goodra opened his mouth, fired a white energy beam that flew towards Porygon-Z that engulfed it before an explosion happened engulfing Porygon-Z.
Soon the smoke died down revealing Porygon-Z lying on its back, unconscious.
"Porygon-Z is unable to battle Goodra wins!" Victoria declared.
"Great Goodra!" Ash shouted happily.
"Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu shouted just as happy.
"Goodra!" Goodra shouted happy as well.
Noel returned Porygon-Z after say words of gratitude to it before taking out his second Poke Ball.
"Your Goodra is impressive. But I'm not going to lose. Bewear go!" Noel tossed a Poke Ball releasing the Alola Normal and Fighting Pokemon.
"A Bewear huh?" Ash thought to himself as he took out a Poke Ball, "Goodra return for now." Ash returned Goodra and took out a new Poke Ball.
"Swellow I choose you!" Ash shouted as his Hoenn Normal Flying type appeared in the air.
"Swellow use Aerial Ace!"
Swellow dove down towards Bewear with his body surrounded by a white aura.
"Grab him!" Bewear braced himself.
Bewear gabbed Swellow's wings making him slide back slightly and grunting in pain.
"Slam him on the ground!"
"BBBBEEEEE!" Bewear shouted as he raised Swellow in the air before slamming him on the ground.
"SSSWWEEEELLLL!" Swellow shouted in pain.
"Now use Ice Punch!" Bewear grabbed Swellow's head with his left hand, lifted him as his right fist surrounded by an icy aura, flicked him up, swung his fist into Swellow's stomach sending him flying and crashed in front of Ash.
"Swellow!" Ash shouted in concern.
When the dust settled it revealed Swellow slowly getting back on his feet, shook his head a few times before facing his opponents before he took off.
"Brave Bird!"
Swellow let out a battle cry, as he flew in a circle formation as his body surrounded by an orange aura, before flying towards Bewear with the aura turning blue and white.
"Rock Slide!"
Bewear clasped his fists, raised them in the air before slamming them on the ground making multiple boulders appear from the sky.
"Evasive manoeuvres!" Swellow flew and dodged all the boulders that are falling in his way, but one grazed his wing making him grunt, before he slammed into Bewear creating an explosion.
Swellow flew upwards and out of the smoke while suffering from the recoil damage.
"Finish this with Ice Punch!"
Bewear suddenly appeared in front of Swellow, with bruises, surprising him, Ash, Pikachu and Victoria.
Bewear reared his right fist back as it became surrounded by an icy aura, before swinging it forward, slamming into Swellow's chest sending him flying, crashed in front of Ash making dust stir around him.
"Swellow!" Ash shouted in concern again.
Soon the dust settled revealing Swellow lying on his back, in a crater he made and unconscious, "Swellow is unable to battle! Bewear wins!" Victoria declared.
The rain lightened up, then it stopped, as the dark clouds cleared revealing the blue sky as well as the sun.
"Thanks, Swellow return." Ash returned Swellow, took out a new Poke Ball, faced Noel and Bewear.
"Torkoal I choose you!" Ash shouted as Torkoal appeared and started to chuckle.
"A Torkoal huh? Interesting choice. Let's go, Bewear use Rock Slide!"
Bewear raised his fist in the air before slamming them on the ground making multiple boulders appear from the sky and fell towards Torkoal.
"Iron Defense!"
Torkoal withdrew his head and legs onto his shell as the shell turned into iron.
The boulders slammed into Torkoal's shell before dust engulfed him.
Soon when the dust settled it revealed boulders in half while Torkoal is where he was. Torkoal lifted his head and legs out of the shell so that he was standing again.
"Tch in that case, use Hammer Arm!"
Bewear's right arm glowed brown and ran towards Torkoal.
"Torkoal Heat Wave!"
Torkoal opened his mouth, fired orange wind that headed towards Bewear.
Noel gasped, "Bewear stop!" But it was too late, and the Heat Wave slammed into Bewear making him yell in pain.
Ash smirked until he realized something making him look down, "Huh?" Ash asked making everyone look down and saw the grass was catching fire.
Soon the area around them was on fire, "This isn't good!" Ash shouted in shock.
"Tor!" Torkoal shouted as well as he looked left and right.
"Ash do something!" Victoria shouted.
"Torkoal return!" Ash returned Torkoal and took out another Poke Ball.
"Goodra come back out and use Rain Dance!" Ash shouted as Goodra appeared again.
Goodra saw the fire making him gasp, before he narrowed his eyes, roared as dark clouds appear in the sky and it began to rain again.
The rain dosed the fire around them and put it out with brunt grass around them.
Soon the fire was put out making everyone sigh in relief, "Next time Ash, don't order your Pokemon an attack like that." Anna told Ash making him nod in agreement.
"Yeah, don't worry. I learned my lesson." Ash replied before turning to Noel and saw Bewear lying on the ground unconscious.
"Umm . . . Bewear is unable to battle! I guess the winner is Torkoal!" Victoria declared unsure by what happened.
"What happened?" Ash asked.
Noel sighed as he returned Bewear, "Bewear's ability is Fluffy, it halves any damage he takes from psychical attacks, but it doubles any fire attacks inflicted on him." Noel answered.
Ash and Victoria gave an 'Oh' understanding what happened, "So that's way Swellow's Brave Brid barely did anything." Ash thought to himself understanding.
Noel took out a new Poke Ball, "Girafarig come!" Noel shouted as the Psychic and Normal type appeared who reared his
"A Girafarig huh." Ash thought to himself as he took out a Poke Ball, "Goodra return and thanks for your help." Ash returned Goodra and took out a new Poke Ball.
"Bisharp I choose you!" Ash shouted as Bisharp appeared.
"That won't stop us! Girafarig use Hidden Power!"
Girafarig reared his head upwards as he created an orange sphere, before snapping it downwards flinging it towards Bisharp.
"Bisharp use Night Slash!"
Bisharp's blades on his elbows glowed purple and grew.
When the sphere was close enough, Bisharp swung his arms as a cross, slicing the sphere into four pieces as they flew past him before they exploded.
"Night Slash again!"
Bisharp dashed towards Girafarig with his blades the same.
"Thunder Wave!"
Girafarig opened his mouth, fired three yellow rings of electricity, that slammed into Bisharp making him grunt in pain as yellow sparks appeared around his body, kneeled and closed his eyes in pain.
"Don't give in!" Ash encouraged as Bisharp opened his eyes and continued to run towards Girafarig.
When Bisharp was close enough he spun around, slashing Girafarig with his right blade, before he slashed him with his left blade both times making Girafarig screech in pain.
"Thunderbolt!"
Girafarig opened his eyes, turned to Bisharp as his body surrounded itself in yellow lightning, before he fired a yellow lightning bolt that slammed into Bisharp point-blank sending him flying and landed in front of Ash.
"Dig your hands in the ground!"
Bisharp slammed his hands in the ground, reducing the pain but still dealing damage.
Soon Girafarig ceased his attack leaving Bisharp kneeing on the ground flinching in pain as yellow sparks continued to shock his body as Bisharp slowly got back on his feet, glared at his opponents and panting heavily.
"Bisharp's losing steam. I've got to end this now." Ash thought to himself, "Bisharp use Guillotine!"
Bisharp overlapped his hands-on top of each other as the blades on his elbows glowed white and grew even bigger than earlier.
Bisharp flinched in pain but dashed towards Girafarig as he uncrossed his arms.
Noel smirked, "Girafarig use Psychic on some of the boulders!"
Girafarig's eyes glowed blue, as some of the boulders gained a blue lining and started to float in the air.
Girafarig directed the boulders in front of him blocking his view.
Bisharp grunted, but leaped towards them, started spinning around as he sliced through all of them, reducing them to rubble. When he sliced through the last one, he slashed where Girafarig was standing but he didn't slash him.
When Bisharp landed, he stopped spinning, looked around trying to find Girafarig.
"Girafarig Thunderbolt!"
Ash looked up and saw Girafarig with his body surrounded by yellow lightning, "Bisharp above you!" Ash shouted making Bisharp look up and saw Girafarig.
Girafarig fired a yellow Lightning bolt that headed towards Bisharp. Bisharp tried to move but the paralyses kicked happened making him grunt in pain before the Thunderbolt slammed into him creating an explosion with yellow electricity flying form it.
"Bisharp!" Ash shouted in concern.
As Girafarig landed, the smoke died down revealing Bisharp lying on his back with his arms and legs spread out and unconscious.
"Bisharp is unable to battle! Girafarig wins!" Victoria declared.
"Yes!" Noel whispered happily but loud enough to hear him.
"Giraf!" Girafarig shouted happily as he reared his legs.
"Thank you Bisharp, get a good rest." Ash returned Bisharp and turned to Pikachu, "Your up buddy! I choose you!" Ash told Pikachu making him nod in response, before leaping off his shoulder, landed in front of him with his cheeks sparking.
Victoria smiled as she had a thought, she released her Pikachu that appeared next to her.
"Pikachu, I want you to watch Ash's Pikachu, ok?" Victoria told her Pikachu making her nod in response, before she climbed up her trainer to her right shoulder and watched Ash's Pikachu
Noel lowered his head slightly, "So, I can see what his partner is made of. I can't underestimate him." Noel thought to himself.
"Girafarig use Hidden power!"
Girafarig fired an orange sphere from his mouth and flew towards Pikachu.
"Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu's body surrounded itself in yellow lightning fired a yellow lightning bolt.
The two attacks collided but the Thunderbolt overpowered the Hidden Power, slammed into Girafarig and created an explosion.
When the smoke died down it revealed Girafarig standing on all fours but looking down and panting in pain.
"Iron Tail!"
Pikachu started to run towards Girafarig as his tail glowed silver.
"Catch him!"
Pikachu leaped towards Girafarig, did a backflip and swung his tail at Girafarig.
Girafarig snapped his head up, facing Pikachu, spun around, his tail mouth opened, grabbed Pikachu's tail and held him in place.
"Yes!" Noel whispered happily with a small smile.
But Noel noticed Ash is smirking, "Thunderbolt!" Noel's eyes wide open in shock and fear.
Pikachu smirked as his body surrounded itself in yellow lightning, making Girafarig screech in pain, before an explosion happened engulfing the pair with yellow lightning coming flying out of the smoke.
When the smoke died down it revealed Pikachu on all fours with a smirk looking at Girafarig, who is lying on the ground on his right side and unconscious.
"Girafarig is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!" Victoria declared.
Pikachu ran back to Ash, when he was in front of him, he turned around and stared at his opponents. The rain soon ceased, and the dark clouds cleared revealing the blue sky again.
"Ash still has four Pokemon. But Goodra has taken quite a bit of damage and unless Ash want to fire a wildfire again, I doubt that Ash will use Torkoal again. While Noel has three Pokemon but all of them are in perfect health. It's still anyone's game." Victoria thought to herself.
Victoria's Pikachu is in awe by Ash's Pikachu, "He's so strong." She thought to herself as a healthy blush appeared on her cheek
Noel sighed as he returned Girafarig and took out a new Poke Ball, "Cinccino go!" Noel shouted as he threw a Poke Ball which released the Normal Unova Pokemon.
Ash turned to Pikachu, "You good to go buddy?" Ash asked making Pikachu nod in response while looking at his opponents.
"Cinccino Bullet Seed let's go!"
Cinccino fired a barrage of seeds with green lining from his mouth that flew towards Pikachu.
"Use Quick Attack to dodge!"
Pikachu started to run while leaving behind a white lining. Pikachu zig-zag from left to right avoiding the seeds, slammed his head into Cinccino sending him back slightly but still fine.
"Now use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu fired a yellow lightning bolt from his body that flew towards Cinccino.
"Hidden Power!"
Cinccino opened her mouth, created an orange energy sphere, before flinging it forwards.
The two attacks collided with each other and created explosion. When the smoke died down it revealed both Pokemon unharmed.
"Iron Tail!"
Pikachu dashed towards Cinccino as his tail glowed silver.
"Tail Slap!"
Cinccino's tail glowed white, spun around and swinging his tail.
Pikachu leaped forward, swinging his tail as well, the two attacks collided with each other, creating shockwaves that flew throughout the area.
"Bullet Seed!"
Cinccino opened his mouth, firing a barrage of seeds with green lining point-blank at Pikachu making him yell in pain and sending him flying.
Pikachu crashed in front of Ash stirring a cloud of dust where he was, "Pikachu!" Ash shouted in concern.
Soon the dust settled revealing Pikachu lying on the ground, but got back on all fours, shook his head a few times with his eyes closed, before opening them and glared at Cinccino.
"You good?" Ash asked making Pikachu nod in response, "Then use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu fired a yellow lightning bolt from his body.
"Hidden Power!"
Cinccino fired an orange sphere from his mouth.
The two attacks flew past each other and created an explosion on both ends with smoke engulfing the pair.
When the smoke on both ends, died down it revealed Pikachu and Cinccino standing where they were both bruises and scrapes on the body, glaring and growling at each other.
"Volt Tackle!"
"Giga Impact!"
Pikachu started running on all fours towards Cinccino as his body surrounded himself in a yellow lightning aura. Cinccino leaped and flew slightly above the ground towards Pikachu as his body surrounded himself in a purple aura with orange spirals around him.
Pikachu and Cinccino slammed into each other creating yellow and purple shockwaves that flew throughout the area. Victoria, her Pikachu and Anna turn away, while Ash and Noel continued to watch.
Pikachu and Cinccino tried to push each other away while yelling at each other, before a white light burst in the sky before an explosion a massive explosion happened engulfing the pair.
Everyone turned away and covered themselves to prevent smoke from getting in their eyes and mouth.
Soon the smoke died down, as everyone uncovered themselves, turned back to where Pikachu as well as Cinccino were and tried to see who won.
Soon the smoke died down revealing Pikachu standing on his back feet while Cinccino is also standing on his feet. Both Pokemon are panting, badly injured and looking down.
Both Pokemon slowly looked up at each other, smirked before they both fell backwards, both landed on the ground and both Pokemon are now unconscious.
Victoria was shocked, but quickly recollected herself, "Both Pikachu and Cinccino are unable to battle!" Victoria declared.
Anna was shocked, "Wow. This is an amazing battle!" Anna thought to herself in awe.
Ash walked up to Pikachu, bent down, gently scooped him so that he's holding his back.
Pikachu's eyes slowly opened, saw Ash and looked at him sadly. Ash smiled, "Don't worry. You were great, you deserve a long rest." Ash told Pikachu stood up and walked to Victoria.
"Do you mind?" Ash asked making Victoria shake her head.
"No, I don't mind. I'll watch him." Victoria answered as Ash gently handed Pikachu to Victoria before he walked back to where he was.
Noel already returned Cinccino and both took out a new Poke Ball each, "Torkoal I choose you!" Ash shouted as Torkoal appeared again.
Everyone were surprised when they saw Ash releasing Torkoal, which Ash saw, "Don't worry. We'll be careful." Ash reassured everyone.
They didn't look convinced but decided to let Ash do his thing, "Swellow go!" Noel shouted as his Swellow appeared in the air.
Ash was surprised by this, "You have a Swellow as well? Cool." Ash complemented Noel making him smile slightly and nod in response.
"But we're not going to lose!" Torkoal use Flamethrower!"
Torkoal reared his head back fire red and orange fire in his mouth. Torkoal snapped his head forward, firing a stream of red and orange fire that flew towards Swellow.
The flames collided with Swellow creating an explosion where he was. Soon the smoke died down revealing Swellow barley damaged and flapping his wings.
"Again!"
Torkoal fired a red and orange stream of fire from his mouth towards Swellow.
"Dive down and then use Steel Wing!"
Swellow dove down, avoided the attack making the Flamethrower hit a rock wall.
When Swellow was about to crash into the ground, he turned making him fly straight, towards Torkoal as his wings glowed silver.
As Swellow flew past Torkoal, he slashed the right side of Torkoal before an explosion happened where they were.
Swellow flew out of the smoke unharmed and flew back in front of Noel facing Ash.
Soon the smoke died down revealing Torkoal standing on all fours barely damaged.
"Steel Wing again!"
Swellow flew towards Torkoal with his wings still glowing silver.
"Flamethrower!"
Torkoal shot red and orange fire from his mouth.
The Flamethrower slammed into Torkoal created an explosion.
After about 20 seconds Swellow continued to fly towards Torkoal. Swellow flew past Torkoal this time slashing the left side of him and created an explosion.
As Swellow was flying away red and orange fire surrounded him making him screech in pain.
Everyone saw this, "He got burnt!" Victoria shouted in surprised.
Swellow shook off the pain and flew back in front of Noel.
The smoke died down revealing Torkoal still standing. Torkoal shook his head a few times before facing Swellow again.
"Torkoal let's end this use Ancient Power!"
Torkoal's eyes glowed purple as boulders with purple lining appeared around him, before they flew towards Swellow.
"Dodge and use Facade!" Ash and Victoria gasped in shock when they heard that.
Swellow avoided the boulders as he flew towards Torkoal. Once Swellow avoided the last boulder, his body was surrounded by an orange aura.
Swellow slammed in the front of Torkoal which created an explosion with orange shockwaves flying from it.
"Torkoal!" Ash shouted in concern.
Soon the smoke died revealing Swellow in the air, flapping his wings, looking down at Torkoal who is lying on the ground and unconscious.
"Torkoal is unable to battle! Swellow wins!" Victoria declared, but not holding her hand due to him carrying Pikachu.
"Thanks, Torkoal. Return and take a good rest." Ash returned Torkoal as Swellow flew back to Noel.
Ash watched until Swellow was back with Noel as he took out a new Poke Ball, "Lycanroc I choose you!" Ash shouted as the Dusk form of Lycanroc appeared with a howl.
Everyone were surprised when they saw this, "I've never seen a Lycanroc like that before." Noel thought to himself surprised.
"Wow, Ash really does have amazing Pokemon." Victoria thought to herself amazed.
"I never knew Lycanroc's had a third form!" Shelly thought to herself not recalling seeing it in any of her books.
Anna meanwhile was found lost in thought as she stared at the Lycanroc, "I-I've never seen a Pokemon with this kind of glow before. How could this Lycanroc have this kind of glow?" Anna thought to herself shocked and slightly amazed by this.
Ash smirked, "You ready Lycanroc?!" Ash asked making Lycanroc howl in response as his eyes changed from green to red.
"Accelerock!"
Lycanroc dashed towards Swellow as his body surrounded in a white light.
Noel snapped out of his shocked state and turned to Swellow, "Swellow use Steel Wing!"
Swellow flew towards Lycanroc as his wings glowed silver.
Both Pokemon slammed into each other creating shockwaves but Lycanroc overpowered Swellow sending Swellow flying.
Swellow readjusted himself, glared at Lycanroc and screeched, "In that case use Brave Bird!"
Swellow let out a battle cry as he surrounded himself in an orange aura. As he flew towards Lycanroc the aura turned blue and white.
Ash smirked, "Stone Edge!"
Lycanroc roared as he raised his forelegs in the air before slamming them on the ground causing blue boulders to shoot up from the ground and headed towards Swellow.
Swellow slammed into them, pasted the first three without too much trouble. But when he pasted the fourth boulder it slowed him down, the fifth boulder stopped him completely, before a sixth one slammed underneath Swellow sending him in the air.
"Swellow!" Noel shouted in concern.
Swellow came back down, crashed into the ground on his back and making dust stir around him.
Soon the dust settled revealing Swellow lying on his back and unconscious.
"Swellow is unable to battle! Lycanroc wins!" Victoria declared.
Noel was surprised, but quickly snapped out of it and returned Swellow, "That's one impressive Lycanroc." Noel complimented.
Ash smiled, turned to Lycanroc who is walking towards him. Ash bent down and rubbed the side of Lycanroc's head, "Yeah, he's a great Pokemon to have and a great teammate." Ash replied making Lycanroc barked happily accepting the praise.
Noel took out his final Poke Ball and turned to it, "It's all on you. Clefable go!" Noel shouted as the final evolution of the Kanto pure Fairy type appeared.
Ash smirked, "I had a feeling that he would have one." Ash thought to himself, "Lycanroc use Stone Edge!"
Lycanroc roared, raised his forelegs before slamming them on the ground causing blue boulders to shoot up from the ground and headed towards Clefable.
"Moonblast!"
Clefable brought his hands next to each other, created a pink sphere in between them, flung his arms outwards firing the sphere.
The Moonblast slammed into the front Stone Edge, created an explosion at the centre of the field and ceasing the movement of the boulders behind the front one.
Soon the smoke died down revealing both Pokemon unharmed.
"Accelerock!"
Lycanroc started to dash towards Clefable with his body surrounded by a white aura.
"Clefable Hidden Power!"
Clefable brought his hands together again, this time created a light brown sphere, flung her arms outwards firing the sphere.
The sphere slammed into Lycanroc created an explosion. The force pushed Lycanroc out of the smoke making him slide across the ground and stopped in front of Ash.
Lycanroc shook his head a few times before turning his head facing Noel and Clefable.
"Cosmic Power!"
Clefable's body surrounded by a pink aura as, green, yellow and purple energy stars appeared, they started moving in a circle formation around him, increasing his Defense and Special Defense.
"Now use Hidden Power!"
When the aura as well as the stars faded away, Clefable brought his hands next to each other, created a light brown sphere and flung it towards Lycanroc.
"Use Accelerock to dodge!"
Lycanroc bent down as his body surrounded by a white aura, dashed form his spot and leaped over the Hidden Power.
"Stone Edge!"
When Lycanroc landed he slammed his feet on the ground, making blue energy boulder shoot up from the ground and headed towards Clefable.
The Stone Edge slammed underneath Clefable sending him in the air.
"Thunder Fang!"
Lycanroc looked up at Clefable, leaped towards him as his fang became surrounded by yellow lightning.
"Moonblast!"
Clefable turned to Lycanroc, created a pink sphere in his right hand.
Lycanroc opened his mouth to bite Clefable, while Clefable slammed his Moonblast in front of Lycanroc, making yellow and pink shockwaves fly around them before an explosion happened.
Lycanroc as well as Clefable fell out of the smoke, landed in front of their trainers and glared at each other with narrow eyes.
"Soft-Boiled!"
Clefable closed his eyes as a green aura appeared around him and some of his injuries began to heal.
Ash's eyes wide open, "Don't let him heal! Accelerock!"
Lycanroc started to dash towards Clefable with his body surrounded by a white aura.
Just when Lycanroc was about to hit Clefable, the aura around him died down and opened his eyes.
Lycanroc slammed into Clefable's stomach sending him back a few feet.
"Moonblast!"
Clefable created a pink sphere in his right hand, threw the sphere, that slammed into Lycanroc and created an explosion.
"Lycanroc!" Ash shouted in concern.
Soon the smoke died down revealing Lycanroc lying on the ground, on his side and unconscious.
"Lycanroc is unable to battle! Clefable wins!" Victoria declared.
Ash smiled sadly, "Thanks Lycanroc. Return and take a good rest." Ash returned Lycanroc and took out his final Poke Ball.
"You're up again Goodra I choose you!" Ash shouted as Goodra appeared again.
Victoria started to grow concern, "Goodra is a Dragon Type and Clefable is a Fairy Type. Goodra's Dragon Pulse won't even affect him. Ash is in a tight spot." Victoria thought to herself in concern.
Ash turned to Goodra who is panting slightly from his battle against Porygon-Z, "Goodra!" Ash shouted making Goodra turn to him and saw his trainer smiling.
"I believe in you. So, let's win." Ash told Goodra making him nod in agreement and with determination before turning back to his opponents.
"Let's kick this off! Goodra Rain Dance!"
Goodra roared as dark clouds appeared again and it began to pour.
"Clefable, use Moonblast!"
Clefable brought her hands next to each other, created a pink sphere, flung her arms outwards, firing the sphere towards Goodra.
"Dragon Pulse!"
Goodra opened his mouth, fired purple energy that morphed into a dragon and flew forwards.
The Dragon Pulse opened its mouth, slammed it shut, eating the Moonblast creating an explosion.
"Hidden Power!"
Clefable created a light brown sphere in between his hands and flung it towards Goodra.
"Goodra use Ice Beam!"
Goodra formed a sphere in front of his mouth and fired light blue beams that flew forwards.
The two attacks collided, but the Ice Beam froze the Hidden Power in place.
"Grab it!" Goodra, extended his antennas, grabbed the frozen sphere and lifted it.
"Now throw it!" Goodra flung the sphere, making it slam into Clefable sending him back slightly.
"Moonblast!"
"Use Bide!"
Clefable flung a pink sphere from his hands at Goodra.
The Moonblast slammed into Goodra creating an explosion pushing him back, out of the smoke revealing his body surrounded by a red lining.
"Hidden Power!"
Clefable flung a light brown sphere, that slammed into Goodra, creating another explosion pushing Goodra back again.
Goodra managed withstood that as the red aura grew larger, but he's panting badly and covered in bruises.
"Clefable finish this with Moonblast and give it everything you have!"
Clefable created another pink sphere but larger than the pervious one in between his hands, flung the sphere towards Goodra.
Ash narrowed his eyes , while gritting his teeth, but not giving any orders.
The Moonblast slammed into Goodra and created a bigger explosion then before.
Everyone watched trying to see what happened, with Victoria and both Pikachu's worried. While Anna was upset slightly but happy hoping that her brother won.
Soon the smoke died down revealing Goodra kneeling, panting heavily, with even more bruises and looking down with the red aura even bigger.
Everyone watched with anticipation, soon Goodra slowly turned his head upwards showing everyone that he's still here.
Everyone apart from Ash's Pikachu were surprised, "How is he still conscious?!" Noel thought to himself shocked and surprised.
Ash raised his arm in the air, above his head, before swinging it and pointed at Clefable, "GOODRA FIRE!"
Goodra roared loudly as he opened his mouth, fired a white beam, about twice the size of the last one.
Clefable saw the size of the beam making him froze in place. The beam slammed into him, engulfing his whole body, created a massive explosion, making the leaves of the trees blow and some flew off the branches.
Noel, Victoria, Anna and both Pikachu's looked away and covered themselves to protect them.
Soon the smoke died down, allowing everyone to look back and saw Clefable lying on the ground, with a lot of bruises on his body and unconscious.
Clefable is unable to battle! Goodra wins! The winner is Ash the challenger!" Victoria declared happily as the rain ceased and the dark clouds cleared.
"We did it!" Ash shouted happily as he ran up to Goodra.
"Yay! Great job Ash!" Anna shouted kind of happy.
Pikachu jumped out of Victoria's hands and run up to Goodra was well.
Goodra fell on his butt and continued to pant heavily.
Ash and Pikachu hugged Goodra, "You were great Goodra!" Ash told Goodra happily.
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed.
Goodra smiled happily and returned the hugs.
Noel walked up to Clefable, bent down and lifted him by his back.
Clefable turned to his trainer and looked sadly at him, "Don't worry. You were great. Get some rest." Noel returned Clefable, before standing up again and walked to Ash.
Ash, Pikachu and Goodra turned to Noel who is walking towards them, "In accordance with the Reborn League. I present to you, the Standard badge." Noel explained as his lifted his left palm, presenting Ash the badge.
Ash smiled, "Thanks Noel." Ash thanked Noel as took the badge.
Victoria ran up to Ash and hugged him, "That was a great battle Ash." Victoria told him as she kissed his cheek.
Ash smiled, "Thanks Vicky." Ash replied as he returned the hug.
Soon everyone heard footsteps, making everyone turn and saw Laura walking towards them.
" . . . Did I miss anything, what happened?" Laura questioned.
Anna and Shelly stood up, "Yeah, Ash defeated Noel and got his badge." Anna answered.
Laura nodded in response, "Um, Miss Laura but . . . where's Charlotte?" Shelly asked.
Laura turned to the side, "I think . . . I think she needs some time to herself right now." Laura answered a bit upset.
Ash and Victoria heard the tone making the couple frown slightly, "What happened?" Anna asked while titling her head slightly to the right.
Laura flinched as she slowly turned to everyone again, "Well . . . um, you see . . . there was an incident. When we were younger and living together with mom and dad. Charlotte would often sneak outside during night-time to play in the garden or stare at the lake, which was fine until one night she was playing with her Vulpix and . . ." Laura stopped unsure what to say next.
Everyone else started to tense up slightly, ". . . Well as you can see it's easy for a fire to spread in a place like this . . . Saphira woke me up and rushed me out of the house just in time but . . . our parents didn't make it." Laura continued her backstory with tears emerging from her eyes.
Everyone were shocked by this, "(Sniff) Ever since then . . . Saphira made sure that me and Charlotte were kept safe. Especially after the Doctor took us in . . . She's kept us safe for years . . . but at her own cost." Laura explained.
That last part confused Ash and Victoria, "At her own costs?" Ash repeated to himself.
"I . . . (Sniff) I really hope Saphira's safe . . . I don't what I would do if she . . ." Laura could finish as she covered her hands over her eyes as tears poured out of her eyes and fell to the ground on her knees.
Ash returned Goodra, before everyone ran up to her, "(Sob) Ju-just look (Sob) at m-me . . . I'm tech-technically (Sniff) an adult I shou-shouldn't be (Sob) crying . . . I shou-should be strong (Sniff) like Sa-Saphira." Laura said while crying.
Victoria looked sadly at her, bent down and gave her a sister like hug, "I understand where you're coming from. My sensei is sick and one day she's going to die. She took me in and looked after me. She's like a mother to me. I'm an adult as well and like you I cried as well. Tears are a way to get the sadness out of your body." Victoria reassured Laura.
Laura turned to her, "(Sniff) Re-really?" Laura asked making Victoria smile and nod in response.
Ash watched the pair with a small smile on his face, "C'mon let's go inside. Nostra says you'll feel better if you have a snack and sit down." Anna told Laura with a warm smile.
Laura nodded in response, "Ok." Laura replied as Victoria and Ash helped Laura to stand and everyone walked inside.
Once inside Ash and Victoria sat Laura down on a couch, while Shelly walked into the kitchen and came back out with a glass of water.
"Here." Shelly handed the glass to Laura.
Laura smiled in appreciation, "Thank you." Laura took the glass and drunk the water until it was half-empty.
Ash and Victoria watched them as Anna sat next to Laura as she and Shelly tried to reassure her.
Ash felt someone tapping on his back making him turn and saw Noel looking at him, "Can I talk to you alone." Noel requested.
Ash nodded in response as he followed Noel out of the room, "Ash?" Victoria asked as she turned to her boyfriend confused where he was going.
Ash turned to her and smiled, "Don't worry I'm just going to talk to Noel for a bit." Ash reassured Victoria making her nod in response before Ash walked out.
The pair walked to the base of the stairs. Noel turned to Ash and leaned his back against the pole, "So what's wrong Noel?" Ash asked.
Noel stared at him for a bit, until he turned his head down slightly, "Well . . . I know that everyone is trying to reassure everyone but . . . I don't see the point in denying the obvious." Noel answered a bit unsure.
Ash gave him a sympathy look knowing what Noel is talking about, "The fact is, Saphira fell from a high place and there's a very high chance that she won't make it back alive." Noel continued.
Ash gave Noel a small smile, bent down so that he was at his level, placed his right hand on Noel's shoulder making Noel turn to him, "I understand that the chances seem small, believe me. I doubt that Saphira made it as well. But I have faith that Saphira is alive, both of her sisters have faith as well, Anna, Shelly and Victoria have faith that she'll make it and you should as well." Ash reassured Noel.
Noel's eyes widen slightly by Ash's words. After a bit, he lowered them, "Ok. I'll have faith in Saphira as well. But we can't sit around and wait for her to show up, but Anna won't allow me to search for her. In other words, can you go and search for Saphira." Noel requested.
Ash smiled and nodded in response, "I was going to do that in the first place." Ash replied making Noel nod, then the pair walked out again.
Everyone continued to reassure Laura until Anna, Noel and Shelly were getting tired and started to yawn.
Ash, Victoria and Laura smiled at the children, "Alright, I think it's time you get some sleep." Victoria told Anna, Noel and Shelly.
The three children nodded in response as they walked upstairs leaving, Ash, Victoria and Laura alone.
"Laura." Ash called out making Laura turn to him.
"Tomorrow I'll search for Saphira and I'll bring her back." Ash told Laura making her nod in response.
"Please. I beg you, bring back my sister." Laura pleaded to Ash making him nod in response.
Victoria wrapped her right arm over Ash's back, "I'm going with you." Victoria told Ash making him smile and nod in response.
"Let's get up early in the morning." Ash told Victoria making her nod in response.
"Then let's get some sleep." Victoria told Ash as she dragged him upstairs.
Ash and Victoria got changed and laid in bed. Ash laid on his back with Victoria on his right side with her hand on his chest and Ash's right arm around Victoria.
Victoria frowned slightly with her eyes closed, "Do you think Saphira's alive?" Victoria questioned.
Ash turned to Victoria and started to rub her hair with his right hand with a small frown as well, "I don't know . . . we're just gonna have to have to believe in Saphira and we will find her." Ash answered.
Victoria opened her eyes, saw her boyfriend looking her, smiled as a small blush emerged on her cheeks, crawled towards him, with her now lying on his chest.
Ash blushed slightly as he stared at Victoria's smile, "Everyone expects great things from you. And guess what, so do I." Victoria told Ash.
Ash smiled, wrapped his right arm around Victoria, "Yeah, I promised I'd save everyone and that's what I'm going to do." Ash replied.
Victoria nodded, "I know you will. After all, you're my hero." Victoria told as she leaned in and peck his lips, before burying her head in his right shoulder and fell asleep with Ash following shortly after.
Author's Notes
That was one of if not the longest chapter i very wrote. But I hope you guys enjoyed it.
Let me know what you've thought.
And not relating to the story. The Coronavirus is dangerous right now. I just want everyone stay safe and healthly.
Bye
