How To Achieve Victory
With the battle against Giovanni only a few days out, Ash had given the order for all of his Legendary Pokemon he had captured to return to Mount Silver. In doing so, he was able to make sure they would all be in one place, ready to lend a hand in the event of another Rocket attack. When the time would come, Ash would take his Legendary Pokemon into the tree, using their strength to help defeat Giovanni.
Lining up atop the mountain in front of their trainer was Entei, Suicune, Latios, Latias, Articuno, Moltres, Shaymin and his Melmetal. The only Legendaries not present were his Darkrai, who had set out on its own mysterious mission, and his Mewtwo, who had been kidnapped and corrupted by the evil Team Rocket Leader.
"It's great to see all of you here on Mount Silver. I can't thank you enough for becoming my partners over the last couple of months… except you Melmetal. You've been here the longest."
The massive Steel Type Pokemon let out a high pitched cry, throwing its bulky hands into the air. It had been Ash's first Mythical Pokemon for 11 years after all.
"Together, I know we're going to defeat Giovanni. We're going to save Arceus, the Universe, and anyone else Giovanni is planning on threatening." Ash's Legendary Pokemon let out their own cries, signifying their allegiance to Ash. "Feel free to roam the mountain and train with any of the Teammates you want. Just be ready to give it your all when the time comes."
With that, Ash sent his Legendary Pokemon on their way. As they departed, Ash sensed the Aura of one of his friends approaching behind him. Turning around, he saw Paul standing there.
"Sending the team on their way?" Paul said. "It's a pretty impressive roster you got there."
"Well they're all lending me their power to put an end to Giovanni," Ash said in return. "You need something?"
"First of all, I wanna apologize for storming off the other day. Let's just say I wasn't exactly prepared to see your old Pikachu… and I certainly wasn't prepared to trust it."
"Hey man, I'm sorry," Ash said to his best friend. "I wasn;t expecting his arrival either, but I know he means well."
"I know," Paul said, growing ever more hesitant. "So that's why… if you trust him… I guess I can trust him too."
"Alright," Ash said, locking hands with the trainer.
"Let's take a walk," Paul said to his friend. "And bring a Team of three Pokemon."
"If a battle's what you want a battle's what you got," Ash said eagerly. "Anything specific?"
"Whoever you feel like bringing!" Paul said in return.
With a nod, him and Paul set off to collect their teams of Pokemon, before departing down one of Mount Silver's trails
Entering a clearing large enough for a battle, Ash and Paul stood across from each other. Each holding a Pokeball in their hands, they got straight into the action.
"Gliscor, may the Aura guide you!" Ash exclaimed.
"Typhlosion, stand by for battle," Paul declared.
Dive bombing Typhlosion with a Steel Wing right off the bat was the aerial specialist Gliscor. Landing on its back, Paul's Typhlosion quickly sprang back up to its feet, igniting the flames around its neck, before letting out a battlecry. This cry, however, triggered the move Eruption from within its body, which sent many flaming, volcanic rocks at its airborne opponent.
Paul grinned, as the volcanic rocks were hurdled towards Ash's Pokemon, but was surprised to see the Fang Scorp Pokemon weave around each oncoming rock with ease.
"It's funny, Ash," Said Paul. "Your Gliscor's ability in the air is unmatched."
"It sure is," Ash said. "Gliscor did a lot of aerial training in Sinnoh. And it only got better once we could practice in the mountains!"
Dropping onto all fours, Typhlosion's flame around its neck grew intense. Once again, bursting from its neck were several molten rocks. Gliscor, however, opened its wings, catching an updraft which carried it away from the oncoming attack. Gliscor let out a cry, before crossing its arms causing many stone fragments to swirl around its body. Sticking its claws outward, the Stone Edge shot forward hitting Typhlosion with super effective damage.
"Return," Paul said, returning his fire type a moment before it had hit its knees. Tossing his next Pokeball onto the field, a massive blizzard erupted onto the field. In a black and red flash leaping into the sky, Gliscor was hit and frozen into a block of ice. Gliscor hit the ground, broke free and sprawled out on the ground as its assailant, Weavile stalked its downed opponent. Gliscor spun in place on the ground, before leaping forwards with a Fire Fang. Weavile gracefully twirled to the left, charging an Ice Beam in its mouth as it did. As Gliscor passed, Weavile fired its attack, knocking out the Ground/Flying type with a super-effective attack of its own.
"Interesting how you didn't switch out Gliscor even though it has the type disadvantage."
"What can I say," Ash said. "When our backs are against the wall we'll come out swinging!... even if it doesn't work out for us!" He said with a chuckle."Go Pidgeot!" The regional bird of the Kanto Region took to the field. Having a very large frame, it outsized its opponent by a considerable amount.
"I don't think I've had the pleasure of battling your Pidgeot yet," Ash's Sinnoh rival stated. "If I remember correctly, your old pal Misty was using brainwash on it to make it obey her."
"That's right. She didn't have it's best interests at heart, so it obviously hated her for it," Ash said. "It was thanks to our battle together in the tournament that I would be able to rescue it from her. As a Guardian I've learned that taking a Pokemon's emotions into account will always give you the most positive results."
Paul commanded his Weavile to charge forwards, while Ash commanded his Pidgeot to take off into the air. Firing off an Ice Beam, Pidgeot countered with a Heat Wave. Flapping its massive wings, rays of extreme heat nullified the attack and continued on to hit Weavile. Weavile gritted its teeth, slowly rising back up to battle.
"That's alright Weavile," Paul said, returning his Pokemon to its ball. "We're just having fun here. And that's a lesson I learned from you when we were ten years old," Paul said with a smirk. Tossing his final Pokeball onto the field, his partner Electivire took the stage.
"Man, oh man! Pidgeot, return!" Ash said in an excited tone. Sticking his next Pokeball outwards, Ash exclaimed: "I figured you'd be bringing Electivire!" The last of Ash's Pokemon entered the field, a Pokemon that just so happened to once belong to Paul. While Paul had been cruel and mistreated him in the past, they no longer shared any animosity towards each other, since Paul now had a brotherly friendship with Ash.
"You can always count on Infernape," Paul said. Having faced off against Ash many times during their years spent together, he was always surprised by some whatever tricks they would manage to pull off in their battles.
Both Pokemon shot across the field at each other with an elemental punch in hand. Meeting in the middle, their fists made contact with neither Pokemon giving up. While Electivire was the larger opponent, Infernape's strength in battle was second to none. The two Pokemon battled on, exchanging a wide variety of electric and fire type physical moves each other, before breaking apart. Making their way back over to their respective trainer's the two Pokemon panted heavily.
"All these years and Infernape is still your go-to when you need a heavy hitter in battle," Paul said.
"That's right. Whenever my back is up against the wall, I'll always trust the Pokemon who have stuck by my side, and help make me a better person!" Ash called out. Suddenly it hit Ash. 'Is this all a lesson Paul is trying to teach me?'
"Well let's see some of Infernape's raw power!" Paul exclaimed. "Use Thunderbolt!"
"Infernape, use Psychic!" Ash called out, excited to test out one of Infernape's new move, which Infernape achieved through the art of meditation.
Paul's Electivire swung a fist forwards, sending a large electrical bot across the field. Infernape, however, took in a deep breath. Sticking out its arms with its fingers spread apart, Infernape's eyes glowed purple. Electivire's attack stopped inches in front of Infernape, being subdued by the Psychic type attack. Infernape drew its arms back, before thrusting them forwards. In a flash, the Thunderbolt shot back across the field, striking Electivire in the chest.
"Psychic?" Paul said. "Isn't that move a little uncanny for an Infernape to learn?"
"I'm all about uncanny!" Ash exclaimed. "Besides, Alex recommended we strengthen Infernape's mental fortitude so we can learn how to use its Aura Blaze ability again, and Psychic is all about using your head!" Ash then paused once more.
"I gotta say, Infernape's Psychic abilities seem just as good as it's physical ones!" Paul said in response. Infernape cracked a grin at the compliment it had received.
'Maybe I need to start using my head.' The Aura Guardian thought to himself. Looking back at his Infernape, he saw the determined, battle-driven look on its face. 'I brought all the Legendaries together so I could use their power against Giovanni, but maybe their power is needed somewhere else…'
"Now Electivire, use Brick Break!" Paul exclaimed.
"Hold on Electivire!" Ash called out. Paul's Pokemon obeyed Ash, stopping in its tracks (which earned somewhat of a frustrated look from its trainer.) "Paul, I've had a breakthrough!"
"What's up?" The disgruntled trainer said.
"Paul, you've been my best friend for 11 years now," Ash said. "I want you to take my Legendary Pokemon and help lead the battle on the field outside of the Tree."
"But aren't you going to need them to defeat Giovanni?" Paul asked.
"I realized something today in our battle. I've been too concerned with winning," Ash said. "It's like when I battled The Mask. You were the one who managed to talk some sense into me. I thought the reason I was getting the Legendary Pokemon together was so that I could use them when I fight Giovanni. But every time my older Pokemon and I battle, I see this fire inside of them, and I know they're never going to let me down. If I'm going to beat him, I gotta use my other Pokemon."
"I get what you're saying," Paul said with a grin. "You think the Legendaries' power could be used elsewhere. And you think I should be the one to direct them. They'll definitely bring quite the fight to the Rockets outside, I'll make sure of it."
"Good thing you can read my mind," Ash said before crossing his arms. "I'm feeling good about this plan."
"Just out of curiosity, who are you planning on bringing in there with you?" Paul asked. "Your team of six to fight Giovanni?"
"I guess I'll have to figure that part out myself," Ash said looking up into the sky. 'Who can I trust to give their all against the most dangerous man in the Multiverse?'