"Corphish use Crabhammer!"
"Obstagoon use Snarl!"
Ash was out at the docks, his first world coronation battle in over a month was under way. His number may have dropped, but he was in it to win it.
"Corphish use Bubble Beam!"
"Obstagoon use Quick Attack!"
The strange pokemon was quick, too quick for Corphish's attacks. Ash needed a change of tactics.
"Corphish return. Come on out Lucario."
"Obstagoon use Brick Break!"
"Lucario use Bone Rush!"
The Pokemon collided, matching their blows.
"Lucario use Aura Sphere!"
"Obstagoon use Snarl!"
Obstagoon managed to deflect the attack with his own.
"Lucario use Extreme Speed!"
"Obstagoon use Obstruct!"
No matter what he tried, this Pokemon seemed to be able to block every attack.
"Lucario, remember how we fought the Wobbuffet? Do that tactic again!"
"Obstagoon be on guard."
Lucario attacked from every angle using Extreme Speed combined with Bone Rush. Obstagoon was quickly overwhelmed, and knocked out.
"Obstagoon, good work. Come on out Stonjourner! Use Mega Kick "
"Lucario use Aura Sphere!"
The Stonjourner deflected Ash's attacks with ease.
"Why don't you fight me directly!" Ash called out.
"Because, this is more fun! Enjoy the battle a bit" His opponent laughed.
"Lucario use Bone Rush!"
"Stonjourner use Wide Guard!"
On a Boat off port.
"Sorry for the delay folks, a battle at the docks is keeping us from getting to port." The captains voice said over the intercom.
"Well, I guess that means Ash is back." Chloe said looking for the battle.
"Could be someone else." Goh countered.
"Who else would be at the docks, in a battle so big that ships can't dock safely?" Chloe asked.
"Fair enough." Goh said defeated.
"Corphish use Harden!"
"Stonjourner use Mega Kick!"
Ash turned his opponent's own tactic against him.
"Use Mega Kick again!"
"Corphish use Crabhammer!"
Corphish managed to knock the pokemon off of it's feet onto its back.
"Now Corphish use Bubblebeam!"
"Stonjourner get up!"
It was too late, the match was now one on three. Ash had gotten back into the groove, and he was doing great.
"Falinks come on out!"
"Corphish use Crabhammer!"
Corphish ran forward, striking right where the center of the Pokémon was, only for them to disperse.
"I guess you didn't know, Falinks is a group of Pokémon. Now let's show them how we fight in Galar! Falinks use Poison Jab!"
The six parts of the Pokémon surrounded Corphish, taking it out quickly.
"If it's a poison type, try this! Come on out Lucario!"
"Who said it was poison, Falinks use Rock Smash!"
"Lucario swat them away with Bone Rush!"
Lucario stayed strong for a while, knocking away one after another, but eventually they had landed too many hits even for him.
"This is what's great about Galar Pokémon, almost no one knows how to handle them!" Ash's opponent gloated.
"Are you ready to handle this! Come on out Donphan!"
"Falinks use Rock Smash!"
"Donphan use Rollout!"
Donphan spun out of the way, knocking one of the Falinks away in the process.
"Back in formation and use MegaHorn!"
"Wait for a clear shot at them, and use Hyper Beam!"
The attack blew through the Falinks, scattering them. The main one still charging forward with an attack, it hit causing minimal damage.
"Donphan use Rollout! Keep them apart!"
Donphan moved around like a pinball knocking into its opponents bodies, keeping them from ever fully regrouping. As the final blow was hit, Ash felt his phone go off.
'If it's you keeping us from docking! I swear Ash Ketchum there is no place you can hide! - Chloe'
Ash gulped, before quickly clearing the area. Once he was safely away from the docks, he checked to see his ranking at 575.
"Now time to walk back casually, and I forgot Donphan…". Ash said realizing Chloe knew.
Head hung in shame Ash made his way back to the docks to see Chloe angrily waiting for him, while Goh simply had a sheepish grin on his face.
"ASH KETCHUM OF ALL THE DUMB AND IRRESPONSIBLE THINGS!" Chloe said jabbing a finger at his chest.
"I can explain. Both of your questions." Ash said slowly moving Chloe's hand.
A while later, after explaining the events in Alola to them.
"So why does Darkrai want you to look like that?" Goh asked.
"I don't think Darkrai cares, it's the Hypno that did this part." Ash explained.
"Then who made you think you were a girl?" Chloe asked.
"Darkrai, I think. Maybe both of them?" Ash said confused.
"And the battle wasn't your fault entirely." Chloe said.
"Exactly, I got to the docks early to see you guys get in, when suddenly I was challenged to a fight." Ash said.
"Doesn't get you off the hook for not thinking of moving the battle." Chloe said.
"Speaking of the battle, the trainer was from Galar. "Those Pokémon, they fight like nothing I've seen before."
"So what, you just want us to go to Galar to fight more of them?" Goh accused.
"I'm not sure, but I have a feeling I'm going to need some new tactics if I want to win the World Coronation series." Ash said.
"Well, let's ask my dad if we can do research there, what's he going to say?" Chloe offered.
"No." Professor Cerise said.
"Professor, please, you don't even know what I was going to ask!" Ash exclaimed.
"Very well then, what did you want to ask?" Professor Cerise asked.
"I'd like us to do research on Pokémon in Galar." Ash responded excitedly.
"My answer is still no. We research strange events and occurrences here, unless there is something happening I'm not aware of them I can't justify it at this time." Professor Cerise said.
"So you're not saying no?" Ash asked.
"I'm saying not right now." Professor Cerise said calmly. "Nonetheless, there is plenty to do right now as it is."