The hidden secrets of Battle Bond
Chapter 32, Second verse
"Doesn't this guy get tired!?"
Ash had been running after his target for quite a bit. The male hunter running from him not bad in shape himself did started to run a bit out of breath as Ash chased him out of the city. They eventually began to ran in the forest area surrounded by trees. Ash having enough of this game threw a Pokeball.
"Sceptile, I choose you!" The giant lizard came out of the ball and Ash gave him the order.
"Cut him off!"
The Grass type with a natural talent for jumping from tree to tree and speed a normal human can't match, easily closed the gap and overtook the hunter. Blocking Jason's path he turned round to the owner of the Sceptile grabbing a Pokeball of his own.
"It's self defense. Out you go!" The hunter threw his Pokeball and out came a big four legged Pokémon with sharp tiny claws on the end of the legs, a large metal cross in front of its face. It landed on the ground as Ash felt it shake under the weight of it as its red eyes only glared at him and Sceptile.
"A Metagross." Ash did see some kind of belt holding a stone in front of the metal cross on its face. Figuring it must be the Mega Stone that allowed it to Mega Evolve Jason didn't move.
"You make the first move cause I won't."
"Sceptile, Leaf Blade!" Ash taking the invitation Sceptile's long wrist leaves began to extend and glow running to the Psuedo Legendary.
"Metagross, Hammer Arm!" It's front right leg moved up and with its three tiny claws trusted it into Sceptile. Sceptile got forced back by the overwhelming pure power but left a mark on its steel armor.
"Sceptile, Dragon Claw!" The Grass types claws glowed green and slashed at Metagross again. This time hitting it right in the x of the body the Steel type endured the hit.
"Ice Punch!" Metagross's left front leg got colder. The sharp claws at the bottom of the leg smashed right into Sceptile with the super effective hit as the Grass type winced and got pushed back his chest having a chunk of ice on it which hurt.
"You ok Sceptile!?" Ash called out to him. Sceptile bothered by the cold got back up on his feet again. The harsh cold climate of Mount Silver got him used to the cold but due to his typing it still hurt. With the grass on his wrists still sharp it reflected his fighting spirit ready to continue.
"Meteor Mash!" Metagross began to hover. Turing to its back it launched itself right to Sceptile with a large surface as it flew to it. Sceptile's speed allowed it to dodge making Metagross fly by but headed now straight for Ash. He dived out of the way barely dodging Metagross who continued to fly on straight through a tree which fell to the ground.
"You're not listening to their warnings. They aren't normal." Ash in his haste forgetting this wasn't just an ordinary battle. Nina would yell at him for being so lackluster in believing Pokémon attacking people is against the rules. Battle Bond trainers vs hunters had no rules, only winners.
"Dragon Claw!" The front claws of Sceptile extended and glowed a green color. Jumping from tree to tree he reached the flying Metagross and slashed on top of its body. The Steel type scratched uttered a soft but deep groan at the move damaging its body. Sceptile landed in front of Ash again with the ice on his torso now melted. Ash got up on his feet and eyed Jason.
"I forgot who I was dealing with for a moment. Thanks for reminding me." Ash told him after Metagross tried to hurt him. Even if he was part of an old conflict he's still coming to terms with it all. Jason raised a Pokeball and returned Metagross before quickly grabbing another.
"Need to save Metagross for that Greninja. Out Swalot!" No sense in exhausting his Mega as a giant purple blob with black markings, beady red eyes and two yellow lines that made a mustache came out.
"Sceptile return!" Ash returned Sceptile as the types were not in his favor.
"Lycanroc, I choose you!" The Dusk form of the Wolf Pokémon came out of the ball and immediately eyes turned red showing his viciousness knowing who he was facing.
It was time for the second and final round of the music competition. Nina had qualified for the second round and now worked on making her final preparations to with Primarina, Ampharos and Swanna. Strangely enough Karin was nowhere in sight ready to taunt her. Seeing other musicians preparing their Pokémon as well she felt ready.
"Give up a warm welcome return for Karin!" Nina hearing the name explained why the huntress was nowhere to be found. Unfortunately her replacement was one of the first to go out. Karin tried to persuade the organizers go on last as the main event but they didn't budge. Reluctantly so early against her will on stage Altaria accompanied her together with a Lilligant.
Her background music began to play. Compared to her first act which was more upbeat and modern she switched to a classic style as Nina is going to perform. She reached for her ring and touched it as the intro was still playing.
Altaria became covered in yellow and purple energy as it began to change form. The wings which were already fluffy puffed out even more as it turned bigger and its tail feathers grew taller as the energy disappeared and revealed the transformed Mega Altaria. The crowd getting into it now were eager to hear the Mega Evolution singer start.
"Use Round!" From Altaria's beak and Lilligant's mouth they began to provide background noise. Mega Altaria's voice was the center of attention for the crowd. The beautiful humming straight from a dream it lured some of the children and Pokémon into a relaxed mood.
Serena listening on could not enjoy it. They were good but with the evil behind it there just wasn't any support going Karin's way. If the huntress would ever think about going famous with her singing she call Palermo to run her career before it started.
"Just shut up already banshee." Serena's wish was granted as the song and assault on her ears ended.
Taking in her applause with a smirk Karin was certain of her victory. Moving backstage they saw a lot of her competition in awe. Her enemy though wasn't at all deterred. Karin moved up to Nina to rub it in.
"Thanks for the Altaria. If only you had it huh?"
"Not even the best Altaria I know. Madeleine's better."
"When I'm done with you here I'll go pay her a visit."
"You lay a finger on her, I'll do worse then he ever did." Speaking with venom over her father Nina would go straight for Karin's head when this is over. Nobody threatens her teachers and gets away with it. Staring with hatred at each other the other waiting musicians felt the hostility. Whatever what is going on between them is more than just a rivalry but none dared to go in between them.
"Break a leg on stage, before we do it." Karin left Nina alone after that as she needed to touch up on her make up for her future ceremony.
Determined not to be shown up by her replacement Nina and Pokémon took deep breaths. Putting her ego down for the sake of the song her life story had to resonate with the crowd. Checking herself over in the mirrors one more time she was ready when called on.
The Battle Bond trainer took a deep breath and remembered Madeleine's lessons.
"Keep a smile, enjoy yourself, thank your audience and have fun."
It would betray her singing coach if she forgot it. Her loyalty to her teachers strong she felt ready to show the world on what her and her Pokémon can really do. A few acts passed by as it was finally her turn as she moved to the curtain backstage.
"Give up a warm welcome return for Nina!"
Hearing her name she stepped out with her three partners under a new applause. She and her Pokémon did a curtsy as she peeked up to Serena. The Kalos Queen looked a little worried but gave her a faint smile. Smiling back with confidence Nina started her grand song.
"Heal Bell and Lucky Chant." On command Ampharos shook its tail like a tambourine while Swanna sang.
"No holding back." She thought to her Pokémon as Primarina knew what she wanted. Agreeing with it this would be a grand finale no one else today is able to produce.
"As a young girl I had a dream
A dream just like most others
Then I stepped into the world
And then that dream was shattered
Ruined by the one I loved the most
Boasting he did it for glory"
"Wondering far and wide is what we did
Together with my true partners
I went for a place to call a home
In fear of forever being silenced
Faith had something else store
Discovering my real destiny forevermore"
"It told me not be afraid of who I am
But to embrace it
We then took in their every word
And seal it in our hearts"
To Serena who heard the song before was shocked at seeing the orb or water swallowing Primarina all of a sudden.
"You're doing it here in front of these people?"
The crowd gasped too wanting to know what was happening to it. Ampharos and Swanna kept doing their thing extending the song waiting for the Battle Bond Pokémon finish changing. The orb of water vanished and out came the blue harp and silver locks which were also a part of the Soloist Pokémon now. The crowd murmured at seeing the hybrid human and Pokémon as only two cases were known before it.
"Never backing down from fear
We take on the world together
When me and my Pokémon are one
There is no place better"
Nina started to sing again with Primarina playing her harp. Sounding even better than before the audience and their Pokémon's were put back at the mesmerizing voices as they silently swayed.
"Making sounds to feel a peace
Our hearts fluttering
Beating to the tunes
It beats as long as the music plays"
"And now we're here
In this new place
An old love
Rekindled in our heart"
"Gone for miles
Found again"
They finished the act to a thunderous response from the crowd. Primarina changed back to normal losing the harp and silver locks. The four satisfied did all they can. Now it was up to them who was the winner of today. Still with how good her performance went without a hint of disruption from Karin or the other hunter she couldn't help but think something else was going on.
Ash had been battling Jason with Lycanroc. The two going back and forth exchanging moves Ash came more and more to understand how his foe was battling. Lycanroc and Swalot were damaged dye to their exchange of moves yet so far tgere appeared to be no clear winner between them as they both had marks on their bodies.
"Use Stone Edge!" With a roar Ash's Lycanroc slammed his front paws into the ground. Blue stones shot out from thw soil as it moved to his opponent. A giant purple blob with red beady eyes and two yellow lines making it a mustache it belonged to the hunter he was still fighting.
"Swalot, Sludge Bomb!" Swalot opened its large gaping jaw big enough to swallow a car tire whole. Purple blobs shot out clashing against the stones and the poison acidic enough began to eat away at the rocks.
"Move in with Accelerock!" The Wolf Pokémon rushed into a fast tackle.
"Swalot, Endure!" Swalot closed mouth and expanded itself. Lycanroc hit it but Swalot's body bounced back.
"Swalot, Explosion!"
"Lycanroc, get out of there!" It was too late as the Poison type glowed white and a blinding flash erupted from where they were. The flash gone it revealed Swalot slumped in a crater it made with Lycanroc blown out of it but still too hurt from the blast.
"Return Swalot!" Jason grabbed a new Pokeball from his belt and held it up to throw it. His toss was stopped by something wrapping around his throwing arm.
"What the…" It was a scene from one of his nightmares as a weird Arbok held a grip on him with the end of his tail before it rapidly coiled him up. From the top of the snake's hood black locks like tiny snakes weaved around as if they were all alive. From the sides of its long body under the hood two purple arms sprouted from it which it used to grab the trapped male's head.
"Close your eyes!" Ash warned his opponent but Jason wouldn't listen. The hunter locked eyes with the Arbok's and as they glowed green Jason stopped fighting.
"Use Glare!"
From toe to head the hunter couldn't look away as the process started. Not moving an inch Ash saw him get turned into stone by the one of a kind Arbok.
"It's her." Ash thought woman matched the description James gave him and the others. A young woman slightly older than himself with black hair weaved into countless dreadlocks and yellow eyes with dark black pupils wore a purple dress with red and yellow markings on her stomach. The dress exposed her arms and legs as she looked like a dancer from old times, a belly dancer.
Arbok released his grip on the male and his statue fell down to the ground. Arbok slithered back next to its master and eyed Ash. The purple fingers on the arms and snakes on top of its head moving around it was eager to trap the boy in his grip and add him to their collection.
"Now, on to you Greninja trainer." The woman smiled as she was waiting for this meeting for a long time.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu released a bolt of lightning in the air. The agreed sign of him needing help he called on Nina, Serena and Francine to help him here. For now on his own he had to last long enough till reinforcements arrived as he now was facing a dangerous opponent by himself.
Still not on schedule but the grind goes on.
See you around.