I am trying my absolute hardest to put these chapter out quickly so I can have it done before October bc I've got stuff, so here it is! How will Ash defeat this Salazzle?
"I'll let you have the first move," Tobias said, gesturing.
Ash didn't intend to waste the opportunity. "Pikachu, get moving with Quick Attack."
A white streak followed Pikachu as he burst forwards, darting back and forth around Salazzle, yet staying out of reach. Salazzle's head whipped back and forth as she followed his movements.
"Gunk Shot," Tobias called. Poison gathered in Salazzle's jaws, then she flicked her head side to side, sending a spray of sludge scattering over the field. Pikachu darted to the away, still in Quick Attack.
"Now, Thunderbolt," Ash called. Pikachu sprang to the side again, avoiding the rest of the gunk, and slid skillfully across the field. As he was sliding, his cheeks sparked up and he fired a powerful Thunderbolt directly at Salazzle, catching her off guard and shocking her.
She snarled and shook her head, glaring furiously at Pikachu, as if insulted how such a small creature managed to land a blow on her. "Salazzle, Fire Lash."
A smirk appeared on her jaws. Lightning fast, she slithered across the field and flicked her tail out at Pikachu.
"Get back!" Ash called.
Pikachu danced backward, dodging the initial whip of her tail. Unfazed, she whipped it back even faster, snaking it around Pikachu's body and flinging him into the air. Flames erupted across her tail and she whipped it upwards, knocking Pikachu even higher.
A squeak of alarm came from Pikachu as he flew through the air.
"Now, Gunk Shot."
Salazzle's lavender eyes narrowed and locked onto Pikachu as he flailed in the air. Her jaws opened and she spat a massive ball of purple liquid directly at him.
"Electro Ball!" Immediately, Pikachu righted himself midair, electricity coalescing on his tail. In the blink of an eye, the electricity had formed a sizable orb. He spun and threw the orb at the incoming poison.
The two moves met in the air, purple pressing against yellow, then exploded, the attacks canceling each other out. Pikachu landed on all fours, undamaged. "Thunderbolt." Instantly, Pikachu fired off a rapid bolt of electricity.
"Dodge." Salazzle twisted her body in some strange contortion, narrowly avoiding the bolt, which crashed harmlessly into the floor. "Breaking Swipe." She spun and darted forward, tail glowing, and swung it across the ground at Pikachu.
Ash's eyes widened. "Jump!" Pikachu leaped high into the air, the tail sweeping under him.
Then she spun in a full circle, arced her tail upwards, and smashed Pikachu into the ground. Pikachu squealed and tumbled across the field. He lay still for a moment, then shakily began to rise.
Tobias smiled in satisfaction. "Excellent. Now, use Nasty Plot."
An aura of power surged over Salazzle, further boosting her.
"Come on buddy, you can do it! Get up," Ash called. Pikachu jumped up, shook his head, and gave a cry of determination. "Awesome. Now, use Quick Attack again."
Pikachu grinned, then raced toward Salazzle.
"Gunk Shot," Tobias stated calmly. This time, the orb of poison was nearly twice the size of the previous ones.
"Don't stop Pikachu, and use Iron Tail!" Pikachu put on an extra burst of speed, his tail taking on a white glow. Then he spun into a front spin, turning into a whirling sphere of yellow and white, slicing straight through Gunk shot, out the other side, and smashing his tail down onto Salazzle's head, knocking her to ground. Then he flipped and sprang backward, to Ash's side of the field.
"Awesome job buddy!" Ash called.
Pikachu stood up and held his head high, beaming with pride. Across the field, Salazzle picked her head out of the ground and gave a malevolent hiss. He dropped onto all fours and growled right back, cheeks sparking.
"Wait Pikachu," Ash called. While Pikachu was surely strong, much like Charizard he didn't want to wear out all his pokemon early. Tobias still had two unknown pokemon left. Plus, as fast as Pikachu was, he couldn't take hit like some of his other pokemon. "Take a break, 'kay?" Pikachu gave one last glare to Salazzle, then scampered back to Ash's side. He selected his next pokemon with no hesitation.
"Gabite, come on out!"
Gabite appeared from his pokeball and bared his teeth in a snarl.
Salazzle gave him one look and turned her head aside, giving a disdainful snort. A small smile crossed Tobias' face, and he shook his head. "Easy, Sal. This one is not to be underestimated." In a louder voice, he called, "I see your Gible evolved since last time we fought."
Ash nodded. "Sure did! It's thanks to all that training we did before the league."
"I look forward to this battle then," he replied.
Moments later, the referee called for the match to begin. Tobias wasted no time calling the first attack. "Salazzle, Breaking Swipe."
She slithered forwards, tail shining with dragon-type energy.
"Dodge that with Dig," Ash called. Gabite dove underground just before she could get in range.
Tobias however, was unshaken. "Gunk Shot, into the hole." Salazzle threw herself forward and crammed her jaws into the hole Gabite had disappeared into. Seconds later, Ash heard a loud snarl of pain. Ash winced for his pokemon -with all the power Salazzle had been building up, he was sure that attack had done good damage. "Gabite, use Dragon Pulse!"
A beam of blue energy burst from underground, cutting wildly through the earth and swirling erratically around. Salazzle gave a screech of surprise as the beam jerked about, then slammed into her, knocking her onto her side. Then Gabite popped out of the ground, shaking a few drops of poison off his scales.
Salazzle picked herself up, her eyes blazing. "Fire Lash," Tobias commanded. She didn't hesitate to whip her burning tail at Gabite, smacking him across the cheek before suddenly slithering further away, putting distance between them.
"Get close, then attack with Iron Head," Ash said. Gabite lowered his head and charged forward, a shining grey projection forming across the top.
"Counter with Breaking Swipe." Salazzle struck the approaching Gabite with her tail, halting him mid-charge. He dug his claws in, pressing forward, while Salazzle pushed back with her tail. Energy crackled where the two moves met, then exploded, sending both pokemon sliding away from each other.
Almost immediately, Salazzle slithered a few more yards away, collecting herself.
"After it with Dig!" Ash cried. Gabite dove headfirst into the ground. A second later he shot out, headfirst. Salazzle twisted away, though not quite fast enough to avoid a glancing blow from Gabite.
"Hit back with Gunk Shot." Salazzle whipped her head around almost 180° and hurled a glob of poison.
"Dragon Pulse." With barely any time to prepare, Gabite managed a weak burst of dragon-energy. The blast managed to dissipate the poison, though it failed to do any more than that.
Before the dragon-type could attack again, Salazzle slithered away, putting too much distance between them. Ash scowled. At this rate, the battle could go on forever. Salazzle was weakened from fighting Pikachu and Krookodile, but not tired enough. It was time to end this.
"Alright Gabite, its time for Draco Meteor." Gabite grinned eagerly. Golden energy gathered around him and he tilted his head back. Then he fired a shining orb of energy straight into the sky.
"Now!" Tobias shouted.
Ash flinched. What-
Salazzle practically flew across the field, then sprang into the air like a coiled spring, flying above the Draco Meteor. Her tail flashed and she knocked it right back at Gabite. Gabite's jaw dropped. Then the orb smashed into his face and cratered him into the ground. A cloud of dust flew into the air and spread over the battlefield.
Ash stared, stunned, as he realized what had happened. Tobias had used his own Draco Meteor against him. "Gabite!" he shouted. He peered through the dust. There, in the center of a foot deep crater, Gabite had pushed himself to his feet. Dirt covered his scales and he looked scuffed and battered, but he was still standing. Ash jumped up and cheered. "Awesome, Gabite!"
Gabite brandished his claws and glared at Salazzle, who was beginning to look impressed.
Tobias smiled. "Your Gabite really is something else. But you didn't expect me to let you use that Draco Meteor of yours, did you?" he asked.
Ash gritted his teeth. "Oh yeah? Well, we won't lose easy either! Gabite, use Iron Head!"
Gabite charged again, though Ash noticed his speed was slightly slower. He was tiring, no doubt.
"Still coming for more? Fire Lash!"
"Get back!" Gabite stopped short then leaped backward, Salazzle's flaming tail missing his chest by an inch. "Alright, Draco Meteor, one more time." Gabite danced backward, golden energy gathering once more.
In the stands...
"What's Ash thinking?" Iris cried. She stood up, eyes wide. Even though she knew Ash must have his reasons, she couldn't imagine what they could be. Salazzle could just counter the move again.
...
"I won't let you use that move, Ash," Tobias called calmly.
Gabite tilted his head back and fired the orange-gold orb. Salazzle leaped into the air above the orb again, then hit it back with her tail.
Ash grinned. Exactly what he'd hoped for. "Gabite, eat it!" Gabite cranked his jaws open wide, jumped, and bit it out of the air.
Tobias jaw dropped. Salazzle's croaked in shock. Iris yelped. The stadium gave a collective gasp.
Golden energy pulsed in Gabite's throat and his eyes widened even as he kept his jaws tightly shut. The energy flowed across his whole body, turning it into a golden silhouette that quickly shifted into a shining blue one.
This time, Ash's jaw dropped. Gabite was evolving.
The glowing silhouette morphed, doubling in size. His arm fins grew longer and his tail lengthed, followed by his body growing leaner. Light burst from his forming and faded, revealing the dragon of dragons, Garchomp. Garchomp opened his jaws, the golden light of Draco Meteor still shining faintly within, then unleashed his Dragon Pulse. A titanic beam of gold and blue energy erupted from his jaws, wider and taller than a Snorlax.
It completely engulfed Salazzle, knocking her through the air and sending her tumbling over the ground, where she slid to an unceremonious halt a few feet in front of Tobias. After a couple of seconds, she shifted, pushing herself halfway to her feet, swaying unsteadily as she did.
Garchomp stared in awe of the feat he'd managed to pull, blinking at the sight of the downed Salazzle. Ash blinked too, equally stunned. He hadn't known what to expect after having Gabite-no, Garchomp, pull a trick like that. This was more than he could have hoped for. Though something told him what he'd witnessed was once in a lifetime - it could probably never be repeated.
In sync, Garchomp and Ash narrowed their eyes. "Ready to finish this, Garchomp?" Garchomp rumbled and nodded. "Go!" Garchomp charged, then leapt gracefully into the ground. Salazzle's eyes widened and she scrambled frantically as she struggled to compose herself.
Garchomp couldn't have been under for than a second before he shot out again a few feet in front of Salazzle and flew straight up. Her head jerked back instinctively to track him, causing her to stare directly into the midday sun. With a frantic hiss, she tried to cover her eyes.
"Iron Head," came Ash's command. In the air, Garchomp paused, then angled himself downwards. Head gleaming silver, he plunged straight down into Salazzle. An explosion followed that shook the earth and punched a crater into the field.
Garchomp flew out of the crater, soaring back to Ash's side of the field, and landed, panting but standing proud.
"Tobias' Salazzle is unable to battle. Garchomp is the winner!"
Yet another chapter completed. As much as I have enjoyed this, I am also excited to conclude this fic, as I wish to focus my attention on other stories. That said, this was probably my second favorite fight yet! (1st of course, if Primeape v Darkrai). Building into Gabite fighting Salazzle and evolving in this absolutely RIDICULOUS manner was just so much fun. Is it overkill? Maybe. But I like some overkill. Plus overkill is like, a staple of anime. SO no apologies here.
Like how does this logic even work? They did the 'eat it' trick in DP but it makes no sense. But who cares, lol.
Not much else to say here. Salazzle is pretty darn strong, as you can tell. Defeating it was a bit of a group effort. Anyways, review time!
Xavier: Well, Agility boosts your speed stat, making you overall faster, while quick attack is simply a move. I am obeying the game logic on that one more. That said, with the addition of Dual Chop, Sceptile just knows Dual Chop, Leaf Blade, Frenzy Plant, and Agility. Either way, no more overkill I suppose.
Magicalfan18: heheh, I actually never intended that but I won't refute it either. It's pretty funny to think about. As for what other pokemon might show up... well, guess you'll have to stay tuned ;)
TheQuoteablePatella: Wonderguard is such an insane concept, you're right. Somehow Draco Meteor does nothing but even a tiny Torchic could hurt it... Heh. But I do love it honestly, bc of how crazy it is. It's the only thing that justifies Shedninja's 1HP stat. Plus it fits my vision for Tobias team.
It is pretty funny to imagine Cynthia's Garchomp locked in stalemate with a tiny Shedninja though.