The new chapter might go a little late this month! Typically one of my favorites, letting you guys know! Difficulty level has been further increased, so yay! I won't be able to update as fast as before, because to cut down the weight, there's the Gym and a couple of classes more. But once Lance Chapter is fully done, I am going on a long break. Not that you care, I know I wouldn't.
So anyway, let's continue with the previous chapter. Karen is gonna go down on the floor with her third Pokemon. It already took 80 percent of Ash's party just to deal with two of hers. Lucario might still be injured, but Lycanroc seems fresh and able to continue. The fifth Pokemon, too will be revealed soon.
You'll just have to keep reading and find out.
Let's begin!
''This match has been all the marbles, folks! Tension permeates the air, as a fierce battle between two gladiators unfolds before our very eyes! The score so far is tied with both trainers having lost two Pokemon each! After circuiting through his Pokemon, Ash has managed to take down Karen's devilish Weavile and stealthy Honchkrow! Karen so far has given Ash a run for his money! There's no forecast to this battle folks, anything could turn topsy-turvy in the last minute!''
''Miss Karen, please select you third Pokemon,'' the referee reminded.
Karen's smile wavered but didn't vanish.
''Very well,'' she grinned seductively, raising a Pokémon in an upturned palm, chucking the ball with a backhanded throw, ''Umbreon!''
With a squeak, the diminutive Moonlight Pokemon, appeared on the field. Ash knew, sending Umbreon out means she was up to her speedy tactics. The dark type trotted forward, looking rather fierce and ready for battle. Her image sparkled on the third box under Karen's column on the jumbotron.
''Ash leads in a slam dunk victory, but sometimes spends too much time dribbling. Don't think that's gonna happen here folks. When it comes to Karen, the only certain thing about her is that she plays the wind. With her Umbreon, biggest baddest boys has fallen to the little one's charm and speed, but with Lycanroc on the floor, better steer clear from its path!''
Lycanroc hunkered down, ready for another intense battle.
''Those things have amazing stats, I know that,'' Ash narrowed his eyes upon the dark type, ''But the question is – how does she plan to use Umbreon against us?''
''May the Battle Begin!''
''Lycanroc, Crush Claw!''
The canine blazed with bright white light and barreled down the field at immense speed, heading for an imminent strike with a glowing claw.
''Double Kick!'' Karen retaliated.
Before the wolf could as much land the move, Lycanroc was smashed in the jaw, by the reckless swings of Umbreon. Cringing from the pain, Lycanroc only became more furious, howling to raise the claw, however, Umbreon's agility was unrivaled at this point, with the little one arched her back once again, thrusting her legs into Lycanroc's jaw.
The rock type was sent reeling.
''Wonder Room!''
Ash's eyes were gawking. An invisible cube of cage was created on the field that seemed like a whole new dimension for a split second. The room couldn't display itself into reality for long as it faded, but not its lingering effects. The two Pokemon present on the field shone brightly, with now having their Defenses swapped for a short while.
''And Karen has started to keep things tight with some gonzo defending moves!''
''I do know about Trick Room, but it's the first time I ever saw 'Wonder Room','' May mumbled.
''Rotom,'' Misty called, knowing she won't get a straight answer. ''Does this mean Umbreon can still stand a chance against Lycanroc's Counter?''
''…zzzz….Hey, if you expect good news….you are looking at the wrong Plasma screen, red…''
''Lycanroc, use Work Up!''
''RRRAAAAUHHHHHHHH!'' the wolf known for its howl, that was no less than a battle cry, roused up, ready to deal some serious damage.
''And Lycanroc doesn't seem to be the one classified amongst Sitting Ducks either!''
''Hmm….how predictable…'' Karen sighed, shrugging her shoulders, ''Psych Up.''
Ash gasped. Umbreon tensed, her attack and special attacks rising to a peak, elevating her stats higher as compared to Lycanroc.
''And the witch has done it again! Her cunning tactics are quite overbearing!''
''Man, it seems like she's got him on the ropes…'' Brock grit.
''Hyper Beam!''
Orange energy came to life in Umbreon's mouth, building up for all of few seconds before erupting into being.
''Whoa!'' Ash blinked, unable to believe what he was seeing. It was unusual for such a small Pokemon to know such a terrible move. ''Stone Edge!''
Lycanroc broke his paws free, and slammed them down. The stones encircled him rapidly, they weren't in the straight lines they had been before, but rather as a shield surrounding him. The incoming energy beam blasted the pillar of stones instead of Lycanroc, but didn't ensure a full execution of Ash's plan.
The blast sent the wolf toppling behind, towards Ash's escalator.
''Shoot! You okay?!'' the trainer asked with a worried tone.
''Raa…'' the wolf exhaled, regaining his bearings.
''Zap Cannon!''
At the same time Lycanroc was recovering, Umbreon leapt up and whipped her head, firing an orb of enormous electricity, raining right on the wolf's back. The compact ball struck home, drawing a loud, pained screeched from the rock wolf. Blue electricity lit up his form, devastating currents running through. Lights faded soon, leaving him to slump on the floor, supporting himself on his toned feet.
''Damn it! Lycanroc's paralyzed!'' Ash lamented, fists locking up. This was no good.
As Karen let out a satisfied hum, the cheering party was disappointed, making their collective noises. Each reaction was momentary, though. May and Misty likewise put their energies forth to a more productive outlet: remaining optimistic.
"Lycanroc, don't panic," Ash called out to his Pokemon, making him turn in his direction.
''raw?''
''I know you can do it,'' Ash encouraged. ''I know we have the habit of using Z Crystals but we can't use them here! We have to win this on our own sheer power! And guess what, we can!''
''Pika Pi!'' Pikachu seconded.
''Raw!'' the dog ruffed, channeling his entire remaining vigor to stand back up.
''Unbelievable! With just some pep talk, Lycanroc is back! And from the looks of it, Karen doesn't seem too pleased!''
''So that's her mind games,'' Brock hummed. ''Teaching her Umbreon an unpredictable moveset that an opponent can never anticipate throws her opponents off guard.''
''Stone Edge!''
Lycanroc howled, his mane glowing bright and a single spire of stone suddenly erupted in the middle of the battlefield. Umbreon gave a cry, and Ash saw her flung into the air, the stone having impacted powerfully with its underside.
''Now, Thunder Fang!''
''Zap Cannon!''
Lycanroc and Umbreon both moved on an instant collision course with one another. The wolf's fangs sparked with electricity, while Umbreon skidded on the building ground, forming an orb of zapping currents. Lycanroc was the faster when it came to attacking, colliding with Umbreon in a burst of voltage as his fangs made contact. It also left him wide open enough for the Zap Cannon to impact against his prone figure.
''Iron Tail, Umbreon!''
Umbreon turned her body so that her tail was out front. Her tail flopped down, shining brightly with a silver glow. The attack hit Lycanroc in the jaw, one that could guarantee sleep, making the canine leap away.
''Counter!''
Still springing into a flop, Lycanroc recovered just as Umbreon's iris dilated. Helpless, she barely had the time to brace herself, delivering a brutal slash headlong into Umbreon's face. Screeching, Umbreon was sent toppling off the dirt.
Karen smirked, stationing a hand on her hip. ''Moonlight.''
Even in poor shape from that devastating retaliation move, Umbreon wasn't planning to let go of her pride. Her legs resisted and her face was scathed, but she raised her head, and cried out, for now all hopes depended on the moon that flourished its darkness on the other side of the globe. Her energy seemed to return, not much but at least some of which she could utilize carefully, now that any mistake of underestimating the wolf couldn't be afforded.
'Thunder Fang!'' Ash tightened a fist.
"Lycrrr!" he growled, his maw opening wide. Sparks brimmed at the edge of it, large fangs made of pure electricity forming. Pikachu cheered, jumping up and down as Lycanroc dashed off.
''Snarl!'' Karen defended.
Umbreon parted her mouth wide for a counter-attack – a barrage of eerie rings that disarmed Lycanroc, an irritable shriek that could make Lycanroc amuck. He flinched, as his assault was ruined. Taking a break, his eyes never strayed away from the opponent. Lycanroc was panting a little, tongue hanging out but still ready for the fight. Paralysis was spreading, but the wolf had a name to live up to.
''Double Kick!''
Lycanroc leaped into the air and landed just a few short feet away from Umbreon, lashing out with a low swing. Umbreon leaped over the sweeping attack and dodged the next one, acrobatically diving between Lycanroc's spread legs. The Wolf Pokémon gasped and tried to whirl around, but Umbreon was already delivering a kick to the back of Lycanroc's legs. The dog yelped and staggered to one knee, but Umbreon landed its second kick straight into Lycanroc's back, shoving the rock-type into the ground. Lycanroc got a face full of dirt and immediately glared back at Umbreon. The Moonlight Pokémon grinned smugly.
''Counter!''
With a simple flick of the paw, Lycanroc swept his limb across the ground, connecting with Umbreon's legs in a surprising retaliation attack. Once again roped in to the swift slash, Umbreon was hurled backwards.
''I have had enough! Psychic!'' Karen's resonating voice echoed.
Two eyes shone from the dust, alight with psychic energy. Ash watched unblinking as Lycanroc was raised from the floor, helplessly pawing at his neck with frantic howls and yelps. He was crushed against the far wall of the arena, cracks lacing outward from the impact.
''Double Kick!''
''Oh man! This is barbaric!''
"Urk!" Lycanroc grunted as a wave of paralysis froze his muscles. Limbs stiffened in place, and Umbreon completed its sprint without the slightest hint of opposition. The Moonlight Pokémon leaped, bringing her two back legs forward. The first kick curved up and snapped back Lycanroc's head, and the second made contact with the rock-type's exposed face. A fragment of spit flew from the wolf's mouth into the dirt, quickly followed by the Wolf Pokémon slumping backwards for good.
Umbreon landed effortlessly and swerved around, admiring her victory.
With no further examination needed on the referee's part, he declared the round over. ''Lycanroc is unable to battle! Umbreon wins!''
''Ain't it right folks! Big surprises do come in small packages! With loss of only two Pokemon, Karen has taken the front road with the score now 2-3 in her favor!''
"Oh, man. Lycanroc, return!" Ash heaved. With a click of the Pokéball, Lycanroc was dragged back inside, returned to a safe place where it could rest. Ash caressed the pristine Pokéball, smiling down at it as he spoke, "Lycanroc, you were great out there. You tried your best. All that means is that we've just gotta keep on training. But for now, get some rest."
''Things aren't looking very good for Ash now,'' Misty captioned.
''Believe it or not, that Wonder Room was saving Umbreon all this time from Counter,''' Brock supplied. ''That was a mastermind tactic to have Wonder Room activated in cahoots with Psych Up.''
Raising a fist, Ash used his best hand to toss out his next Pokeball in a wild, unrestrained swing. ''Lucario, get back in there!''
Lucario reappeared with his eyes closed, gingerly reaching out and sensing Umbreon's Aura. The fighting-type reopened his eyes and bared his sharp canines, growling at the dark-type on the other end of the field. Umbreon's golden rings sparkled, emitting an eerie aura. Karen's Umbreon was notoriously fast as witnessed, so Ash and Lucario would have to be both fast and smart to win.
''Let the match begin!''
''Lucario, defend yourself with Bone Rush!''
The Aura sensing warrior brandished a staff of emerald energy between his two hands. Long and measurably longer than before, Lucario began to swirl the bone club like a fang. Speed augmented, the staff was gyring in Lucario's wrists, showcasing his amazing martial arts skills.
''Whatchya waiting for?'' Ash cocked a brow. ''An Invitation?''
''Umbreon, Iron Tail!'' Karen called, crossing her legs.
The Moonlight Pokemon leaped in the air, obedient to her mistress commands, tail glowing up into a sturdy silver. In a damning arc, she flipped to make a direct hit. However, Lucario's wasn't just playing with his bone staff, it was a legitimate defensive technique practiced over the years. In no second, Lucario switched from defense to offense, sweeping the bone club hard into Umbreon's legs, sending her careening across the field.
''Aura Sphere!'' Ash followed.
''Ru…''
The orb wavered in his paw, growing once more. The size of now a beach ball, it was hurled with the accuracy of a marksman.
''Double Kick!''
A soft coo from the dark type accompanied her hind legs being dug into the floor, she put her front legs dually into the push, limb grew numb but powerful enough to face the spiritual orb of energy. A brief struggle ended in the Aura Sphere being smacked back.
''Psychic!'' Karen added.
In a surge of psychic energy, the aura orb was boosted further at a blinding speed.
''Watch out!'' Ash warned.
Lucario growled, crossing his arms for the worst. Ash, Pikachu, May, and the others present all winced. A loud, brilliant cyan explosion boomed, revealing Lucario's body steaming, only pushed back in the ground.
''What power…''
''Great job!'' Ash cheered. ''Now, Blaze Kick!''
Poof!
With control of ambient heat, Lucario's feet had composed on fire, ready to rumble into the match. The jackal pitched forward, feet scorching the ground as Lucario covered his distance.
''Snarl!'' Karen cried.
A malevolent arc of biting black-purple energy swung from Umbreon's shrills, racing with disastrous speed for Lucario. The fighting type cried in pain as he was struck with overwhelming whines. However, the blow wasn't enough to knock him to back. The Aura pokemon was, appropriately, enveloped in an ethereal blue aura, growling as a nerve that was touched should have been prevented. Bursting blue, the blue jackal snarled back.
''What is that?'' May gasped.
"Lucario's hidden ability: Justified. When a pokemon is struck by a dark type move, their attack power increases."
"I never knew about that one… Alright, Lucario!" May cheered.
''Psych Up, quick!'' Karen widened her eyes at the opportunity.
Umbreon cooed, copying the stat change.
This was not lost on Ash. ''Aura Sphere!"
A raging blue orb was formed overhead, tossed into the ground with vigor. This time, Lucario was able to destroy the impact that sent him soaring. With some difficulty, the Aura pokemon steadied himself in mid-air. She bared his fangs.
"And, go!" Ash roared, pulling an open palm back before thrusting it forward.
"Taaake… That!" Lucario echoed, forming an Aura Sphere over her head. It was chucked at Umbreon.
''This again?'' Karen squinted. ''Iron Tail!''
Defending against that Aura Sphere wasn't very difficult, as with another athletic swing, Umbreon slapped her silver tail into the orb of energy. Aura Sphere bent and bounced, carrying almost gelatinous qualities.
The chance of it bursting right there left Umbreon in a sweat, giving her all the motivation to knock it back.
"Not this time," Ash insisted, pulling a fist back. ''Blaze Kick!''
A quick look was spared to his trainer, and his confidence was bolstered. He imitated his swing, delivering a blazing, screaming kick to his very own Aura Sphere that had rebounded to him. The orb of energy was shared some pyrokinesis, flaring into a meteor assault. The blast plummeted back like a golden, blazing comet. Far too swiftly for Umbreon to guard against.
''Dodge it!''
The bursting blast pummeled the field in smoke and winds, forcing all present to raise their guard. Every question was answered when the dust settled. Lucario landed on all fours, while Umbreon – sprawled across, hacking to regain her breath.
But Karen still wasn't done yet. ''Moonlight!''
From the artificial moon, Umbreon drew her energy still reclaiming her stake in this match.
''Hyper Beam!''
''~reon!'' Hasked, yet riling to go on, the small creature of fury fired a booming ray of orange, a wide sweep of her head, tore the field in two as it reached the center.
''Dark Pulse!'' Ash fought. It was time to throw in all his chips.
The two moves met in the middle. Though Dark Pulse was smaller and less all-consuming than Hyper Beam, it was a greedier villainous move, made of dark energy. It stretched in the Beam as it spread across the battlefield, rapidly fanning out. Soon, the two mixed, creating black scorching winds like the never ending gusts of the Sahara. The lights of the building flickered and someone - the commentator - cried out. When the lights turned back on, everyone resumed their gazes to the field. While Lucario hadn't taken a barely bruised in this round, Umbreon was in a rather mutilating shape.
She was hunching to pant. Breaths were slow and steady. She directed her gaze, watching the steel type jackal approach her, swirling his bone staff. In a moment of desperation, she fired a Zap Cannon, what was efficiently batted away by the bo.
''Psychic!'' Karen tried, but she knew that it wasn't long before Umbreon would be out of commission.
Her body was outlined in a glowing blue aura, much less pronounced this time. An identical blue appeared around Lucario and he was lifted, much to his bewilderment. The Psychic however wasn't strong enough for Umbreon to hold control of, since that move required heavy concentration.
Wearing a confident smirk, Lucario propped back at the field, chucking one last heavy mass of Aura. The errant Aura Sphere crashed into the dark Pokémon's underside, interrupting the tension with a squeal and a booming explosion.
As the dust settled, the only sound in the battle arena was the patter of shards falling on Umbreon's crippled form. She wasn't moving safe for a shallow, shuddering breath that rippled through her body.
''Umbreon is unable to battle! Lucario wins!''
"And looks like we have a winner, folks! Ash takes it once again! We can't argue with the results can we? And this battle is all tied up at one apiece!"
''Way to go, Lucario!'' Ash cheered, ''Right where you want 'em!''
''That was mind-blowing!'' Misty cheered.
''He's certainly made that statement!'' Brock added.
Karen calmly returned Umbreon, glancing down at the Pokeball in her hand. ''Take a long rest now, wouldn't you?'' she chuckled, sighting that her adversary had recalled Lucario as well.
''Gotten this far,'' she blinked seductively. ''I like that in a Trainer. But then one thing keeps you away from greatness.''
''Let me guess: pride?'' Ash raised his brows.
''A flaw both you and Lance share,'' Karen twisted her hips, gripping a Pokeball tightly. Ash winced at the taunt as well as the confidence with which the elite master spun her Pokeball. She tossed the capture device forward, sending out her fourth Pokeball into the field. ''Houndoom!''
The sphere opened, releasing the canine creature inside. Houndoom wagged his tail, spitting out flames. Ash nodded, having expected the Pokemon. Plucking a new Pokeball that was preserved for long, Ash detached it before sending it rolling into the ground. ''I choose you Blastoise!''
The fierce tortoise took his place with a battle cry, eager for his action of the day. The cannons on his back clicked once they had extended out, and he flexed his little claws.
''~toise!'' The stage lights surrounding the battle field glinted with dramatic effect off Blastoise's shades, just as he would have hoped. Grinning cockily, the water type didn't seem too intimidated by his opponent.
''That…is…Squirtle?'' Misty blinked repeatedly, ''That is our little Squirtle?''
''From the looks of it, it is…'' May agreed.
''Shades weren't enough to tip off?'' Brock raised a brow.
''I know…it's just so good after seeing him after a long time…'' Misty commented.
Blastoise looked fierce, aged. A wise look creased his face, and many scars, the glory and medals of battles littered his sturdy shell.
''Blastoise, let's get things started with Hydro Pump!''
''~toise!''
Cannons drooped down for an angle, the twin pressurized torrents hurled the large reptile by a reverse inertia, that raged on for annihilation.
Karen was quick to respond. "Flamethrower!" She ordered.
The hound immediately jettisoned a river of fire, the insufferable flames clashed against the twin gushes of the hydro energy, both attacks so powerful, neither victorious, neither defeatist, as they gave up struggle only to scatter splashes and embers.
''My wife told me to bring an umbrella along!''
''I am riling up!'' Ash brushed under his nose. ''Skull Bash!''
Ash watched while Blastoise slammed his feet, creating enough friction until his body was engulfed in a blue aura. Head retracted inside the shell, only the upper skull brandished with like a solid prism.
''Protect,'' a certain confidence came over Karen, assuring almost.
A roaring boom was left behind as Blastoise soared forward, rocketing towards the black hound. Skull clashed against something hard, but not skin or bone structure, but a sudden green dome that had no business to be around.
Limbs crawled out of the heavy shell, as Blastoise looked just as baffled as intimidating Houndoom had become, wildly gnashing his teeth.
''Thunder Fang!''
And that move made Ash's heart pace furiously. Houndoom leaped, electrical surges dancing through his sharp teeth, and one chomp later, Blastoise bellowed out in pain, his arms being bit and sharp teeth trying to tear into is muscles. While all that could be bared with, the discharge attacking him described pain on a whole another level.
''Want a friendly advice?'' Karen kissed her index finger. ''Stay as far as you can from Houndoom.''
''Funny, cause I was planning to go too far with the puppy,'' Ash smirked. ''Blastoise, let's give them a little shell shock, withdraw inside your cell.''
''toise~''
Cringed by the electric assault, the colossal turtle was relieved over the command that etched a small competitive smirk on his visage. Retracting his outer body inside his shell, Houndoom's faced was hauled inside too, thus resulting in his head smacked hard against Blastoise's metallic cannon.
''raw!'' the hound whimpered, after the hard impact on skull had made him see dually for a minute. The large mutt staggered on his feet comically.
''What the!?''
''Dirty?'' Ash cocked a brow. ''Yeah I know. We call it the 'Shell-Shocked!'''
''I think I just got an orgasm…'' May implicitly whispered in Misty's ears.
Ash light out a light chuckle, adjusting his hair while doing so. ''Blastoise, freeze em' up with Ice Beam!''
Once again the fully evolved Kanto starter crept out of his hiding place, maw readying a chilly beam.
"Your persistent, I'll give you that," Karen spoke out, sounding almost annoyed at Ash's continued attempts to put her down. ''Smog!''
Houndoom turned his head up, blowing out a cloud of noxious gas. Blastoise was soon smothered by the substance, collapsing onto one knee from it, his breathing now heavy.
"Blas...Blastoise," he coughed out, Ash noticing his partner being poisoned from the attack. Toxins enveloped the large tortoise, making him cough and sputter.
''Flare Blitz!'' Karen followed up.
The clouds began to flicker, lit by the mighty glow of Flare Blitz. Blastoise raised an arm, bracing for the results. A violent explosion boomed above, smoke, poison, and embers abound.
Misty gasped, cupping her hands over her mouth. "Blastoise!"
Blastoise fell from the veil, dirtied with singes and smoke. It landed awkwardly on all hands and legs, wincing from the explosion.
Standing back up slowly, Blastoise hacked heavily, the powerful attacks and seeping poison beginning to get to him.
"Just stand strong, Blastoise! Now's the time for us to change this battle thanks to our plan! Now get in there with a Power Up Punch!" Ash commanded, the two sharing a thumbs up before Blastoise took off for his target. Ash could tell Karen was surprised to see Blastoise's speed (way nimble for a Pokemon that size), the Shellfish Pokémon in front of Houndoom before she could issue a command.
"Blast!" he screamed out, arms glowing orange with power before slamming one of them right into Houndoom's jaw, the other arm slamming down onto his head. Blastoise went to follow that up with a quick jab to Houndoom's side, but the Fire and Dark-Type released a Smog attack, clouding Blastoise's vision.
Karen chuckled lightly from the previous situation.. "You really like taking risks, Ash. Knowing how to use Blastoise's speed. You just had to hope Blastoise could outlast the attacks. Well, try and survive this one! Flamethrower!''
"Hou!" Houndoom howled, spitting out a roaring flame towards his opponent. Blastoise pulled to a halt, taking the full brunt of Flamethrower.
"We're not done yet! Rapid Spin, let's go, Blastoise!" Ash shouted, pumping his arms into the sky before calling out to his tough partner.
Blastoise copied the action, arms and cannon thrusted skyward while his glares glinted with the lights. Running right for the powerful beam of flames, Blastoise tucked his body inwards, rolling up into a tight ball before slamming into the attack. Shooting through it, Blastoise closed the distance until he met Houndoom's maw, slamming right into him before landing atop of the Dark Pokémon.
''Payback!'' Karen smirked.
A hard thrust of legs from Houndoom, and Blastoise was stumbling backwards. As the pain wasn't even attempting to die down, Blastoise's invaded enemy ate up his vitality with another dose of poison. Slamming his fist into the ground, Blastoise stopped his momentum before standing back up and staring down at the Houndoom.
"So, how about we take off the kid's gloves now? Houndoom, use Solar Beam!" Karen issued, snapping forward. The canine began to glow yellow, drawing in the sunlight. Then, a dazzling pillar of yellow light burnt around Houndoom.
"Houuuunnn!" he roared out, the yellow and white beam now larger than before. Ash watched on, Blastoise bracing his body while the attack was inches away from slamming right into his chest.
''Mirror Coat!''
Why timing is so imperative was proved that moment, when a large pink barrier of magical powers not only shielded the buffeted Blastoise, but also manage to make an Elite Four's Pokemon whimper but redirecting the Solar Beam with greater prowess and mightier power.
With fear plastered on the hound's face, he didn't wait for a command from his trainer and nimbly dodged as the omnipotent solar power bombed the place he was standing upon in a terrorizing explosion.
"Power Up Punch, let's go!" Ash shouted out over the blast. A light glow soon penetrated through the smoke, Blastoise swinging his arms just enough to penetrate the attack, allowing his chance to escape. The hound was taken captive, pummeled by one strike after the another.
"Blas! Blastoise - toise!" he grunted in response, continuing his devastating assault that would reduce Houndoom's span in this match, but as he sliced for another hook, his fist was captured into a brutal Thunder Fang.
"This is a guerilla warfare in the trenchies! Don't make the mistake of going anywhere!''
"Don't forget, Ash, you're still facing an Elite Four member! Strategy or not, you need to be prepared for anything!''
Huge powerful jaws sunk into Blastoise's fist, earning a wail from the tortoise. A electricity infused assault wasn't something Ash wanted right now.
''Toss him and then fire a Hydro Pump attack!" Ash instructed. Bigger size always came handy as Blastoise shook the hound like a something had glued to his arm. From the violent shaking, Houndoom let go before carrying a risk of dizziness and losing the hard earned opportunity. Blastoise tossed the dark type high into the sky, Houndoom flailing as he did so.
''Flamethrower!''
The hound tossed his head, spitting another tower of roaring flames. Down below, as Blastoise whimpered from the bite marks, he failed to braced himself for the attack, but the poison inflicted by Smog struck, causing his guard to drop. Now engulfed by the powerful Flamethrower, Blastoise's injuries caught up to him, unable to land safely from the attack.
"Blastoise!" Ash yelled in concern. "You ok, buddy?"
The tortoise struggled to his chubby feet and then looked at Ash with a smile. While he was stung with scars and burn marks, and even the purple aura around him wasn't unnoticed, Blastoise was still willing to roar and rumble. His signature shades had been burnt enough to melt, and couldn't be donned as a fashion choice.
''Okay, that's not good,'' Misty droned. ''I am beginning to pity Houndoom…''
"toise!" He said confidently. He then glared at the hound, and discarded his shades.
"Great job, Blastoise!" Ash yelled. "Now show them what you're made of!"
''~toise!'' From his cannons, a small fountain erupted that showered Blastoise, all the dirt being washed out.
''Hydro Pump!''
Blastoise crouched, letting his cannons do rest of the work. They took aim, and pulverizing powerful jets were released.
''Solar Beam!''
For Houndoom, Hydro Pump meant 'the end'. His only choice was to evade or fight. He dug his foot, and borrowed as much firearms from the sun that could answer the gushing pressures of water. He blasted the ray of sun power, and once again the two attacks met midway, and crackled against one another. It was now a battle of wills over which Pokemon's attack would force its way through for contact.
"You can do it Blastoise." Ash said. "Stay strong. This is your fight!"
Houndoom dug its feet in more and opened its jaws wider. Ash heard him roar as he somehow forced his attack to have more power. Bit by bit, the Solar Beam began to overpower the Hydro Pump. Slowly, but surely, the stream of energy was inching towards Blastoise, who was looking nervous and tired, attempting to keep up his attack.
Ash took a deep breath and then looked at Blastoise. "Come on buddy." He said quietly. "I know you can do it." Ash had said it to himself, but for a moment he saw Blastoise's eyes dart towards him, before reverting his attention back to his battle of wills. He, like Houndoom moments before, dug his feet in and willed himself into putting out more power. He'd sensed Ash's belief in him and it had boosted his reserves.
"Blast!" Blastoise groaned. He closed his eyes and amazingly, the torrents coming from his cannons appeared to double. His body was now encased in a shield of white. And now, his attack started to overpower Houndoom's. And, bit by bit, the power from Blastoise's attack extended closer and closer towards Houndoom.
"Alright, Blastoise, let's go!" Ash said, motivating his loyal Pokemon. And, with one final yell of determination, another rivers of water came down supercharging one last burst of energy that exploded from Blastoise and rocketed towards Houndoom.
''Protect!'' Karen threw a hand out.
The dark Pokemon's eyes widened in fear as both his Solar Beam and Blastoise's massive gushing force blasted into him, slamming him back into the ledge of the building. Ash watched as the powerful dog-like Pokemon stumbled weakly to his feet, feeling victory within reach. He was almost unable to believe that he might actually defeat an Elite Four member's strongest Pokemon. The green dome that had shielded Houndoom from the dual effects disappeared.
Karen was stunned. Houndoom would have been history if that move made its mark. Curious pointed was from where did Blastoise attain so much strength in such a short dull moment. The large blue turtle double over, as the dose of toxins once again worked their charm.
''This ain't easy,'' Karen bit. ''Flare Blitz!''
Houndoom burst into wild blue flames, and fell into a fiery dash. Blastoise was within its sights.
"Blas!?" Blastoise flinched, now in the stallion's shadow.
"Blastoise!" Ash hurriedly called out. ''Ice Beam!''
Blastoise cried, firing a freeing beam in mid-air, streaking towards Houndoom.
''Get up high!''
The hound let out a cry, picking up the pace. His hooves were bathed in violet psychic energy, allowing him to step on thin air. Running further, he climbed the sky, moving high out of Ice Beam's reach. In a fiery descent, Houndoom struck, and Flare Blitz blazed viciously, blue flames and embers galore. But, the fire type found a mighty resistance.
Blastoise snarled, bucking his skull against Houndoom's weight. Digging his feet into the dirt, he bucked his opponent with his stout arms. The wrathful flames were being passed on to Blastoise, but Ash had a surprise in store.
''Rapid Spin without the cannons!''
Spotting the idea behind message, Blastoise withdrew himself except the metal cannons still protruded out, and began to spin like a disc. No sooner than the flame enveloped dog was released, he was furiously slapped in the cheek by the rapidly gyrating turtle and his cannons. Throwing his own weight backwards, Blastoise used Houndoom's strength against it, lobbing him away. Houndoom landed in a heap, clouded in dust.
Yelping the dog lost all its fire and hurdled away, out for a safe reach.
''Ice Beam now!''
Stubborn as ever, chilling rays of ice were spitting out from Blastoise's mouth as his head crawled out, he created a large wall that not only obstructed Houndoom's sprint towards Karen, it also shielded her vision.
''Flare Blitz!''
Armored in flames again, Houndoom repeatedly tackled the partition of ice, trying to bury through an opening.
''raw…raw…!'' he desperately yelped, as the onslaught of ice had still not finished. While Blastoise tusked with the pain from poison, he also made sure to retaliate every ounce of pain by pushing Houndoom against the wall, with the chilly freeze. Someone with the strength of Blastoise, and with his mastery over the move, Houndoom was quickly frozen against the wall. His flames were trying to fight off the ice but the cage was far too strong and required tie to melt.
''What's happening!?''
''Skull Bash!''
''Smog!''
The irate Houndoom couldn't object his trainer's commands, and released another round of noxious gas, but Blastoise's career as a firefighter had trained him enough to see through smoke. Blastoise sprinted towards his tower of ice, lunging to smash into his target. The ice splintered, then shattered, freeing Houndoom with a brutal crash. The wall was broken and Blastoise along with Houndoom passed through.
The scene seemed to stand still in that moment. Wisps of grey smoke and purple gas still hovered in the air behind Blastoise. Karen and Ash stared at the scene in shock. Blastoise seemed to be holding his position, one hand dug onto the ground. He was panting, oxygen more precious than a victory.
"Look at all the smog lifted! When the smoke clears, there's either gonna be a Blastoise or a Houndoom chilling in the winner circle!''
The referee through the smoke watched the silhouette of a four-legged creature drop on the ground, tumbled and covered with frost. With no judgement needed, he whistled, dropping a red flag in Karen's corner.
''Houndoom is unable to battle, Blastoise wins!''
''You did it, Blastoise!''
''Pika!''
"And there it is! Another statement from Ash! Another soldier in Karen's arsenal fallen. But I wouldn't pull out the hankies just yet, cause there's still one final battle left!''
''Blas…Blastoise…'' the turtle heaved, hacking for air. A flash of violet bubbles bursting made the water type screech even more.
''Oh my,'' May gasped. ''Blastoise doesn't seem to be in such a good shape after taking so much of Houndoom.''
''He had to give up his all,'' Misty sadly mumbled.
Ash's smile curled into a frown. ''Blastoise doesn't seem to have a prayer of a chance if he would be able to keep up for long enough. I don't think he can buy Lucario that much time. Her last Pokemon can easily take him out. Even I lose Lucario, I can have Blastoise as backup.''
Making up his mind, he held Blastoise's capsule, returning him. ''You were amazing, and you saved us big time, Blastoise. But here, I need to play tactfully."
A smirk stayed on Ash's visage until he clipped the ball back right where it belongs, and plucked the one next to it. Believe it or not, all their hopes lied on one last Pokemon. For Karen, this would be nothing but a knockout, but for opposition, this victory meant a lot to them. They couldn't afford to lose this advancement.
Karen lightly squeezed the sphere in her hand, and brought it to her lip, where she pressed a kiss against. It was no secret that any trainer would save the best for last, and while Karen was just floating in that advantage, Ash's mind were racing with counter strategies. Lucario was already a veteran of two battles and could wear out any moment, and Blastoise wasn't fit enough to fight it out. Words may not choose to describe him as a liability but that would exactly Blastoise prove to be if fought inflicted with poison and depleting health.
No one spoke a word. Because every individual present there must have fought this battle against life. Tension was surfacing. The room had heated up despite icebergs of ice still on the field. Karen's fifth and final Pokeball was arched high in the air.
Things felt muffled and far away, like he was slowly being pulled further down a dark tunnel deep into the earth. As the shadows closed in at the edges of his vision and the pinprick of light at the center of his vision seemed to grow fainter and fainter, an echoing chatter bounced off the walls that closed around him, and he jolted to attention. He could recognize that sound anywhere. The mouth of the tunnel grew wide again, and the shadows retreated as his eyes frantically searched for the familiar source of the sound.
''What is that?''
He choked on another short breath at the sharp discomfort. "What is happening?"
His answer came in the form of a rising giggle from where a spirit had floated back to the battlefield. It was the laughter of a glorious mischief that could rekindle Ash's soul in any hurricane. Soon, the spirit materialized into a physical form. The figure it had taken blew Ash's lights off. Those eyes and that creepy eerie grin couldn't be forgotten s easily.
But this was a different form than before. A blue swirling vortex of unidentified plasma with purple eyes and grin, with a swirl in the left pupil. Similar purple orbs encircled the face, Its "body" was connected to a simple, tapered cylinder of rock, with a small fissure in it supposing it was released when the seal was broken half way but still bound to the stone.
''Spiritomb!'' the phantom laughed in a grim manner.
"Oh Nillie, Karen has just lit up the chamber by calling out her trump card! Looks like now she's determined to make Ash crash and burn! And knowing this Pokemon, I wouldn't bet against Karen!''
''A Spiritomb!'' Brock jerked. ''That's not good.''
''What is the matter..zzz…Dr. Perv?''
''That has to be one of the most horrendous ghost types I have ever seen.'' Brock recalled that ungrateful night, the chapter of his life he never wanted to recall aside from Professor Ivy.
''What is that Pokemon, Rotom?'' May asked.
The Dex scanned a few pictures of the cackling, swirling specter. ''Spiritomb, the Forbidden Pokemon. Exactly 108 spirits gathered to become this Pokémon. Apparently there are some ill-natured spirits in the mix. All Spiritomb's mischief and misdeeds compelled a traveler to use a mysterious spell to bind Spiritomb to an odd keystone.
''Who was a fool enough to tamper that Keystone,'' Brock sighed, slumping back on his seat. ''We encountered it back in the days when Ash and I were travelling through Sinnoh. A day after Dawn and Ash had traded Aipom and Buizel, they were testing their new teammates. Accidently, they knocked over a Hallowed Stone Tower, and within it lied an Odd Keystone. Spiritomb emerged from it and wrecked havoc the entire day. I can't express how much they went through to seal it back in the Keystone.''
''Wow…Spiritomb must be quite rare to be sealed with.''
''They are quite malevolent.''
''Oh no…'' Ash stuttered, ''Not this again…''
The capsule in his hand quaked, before the aura jackal released himself. Not a single drain of fear on the fighting type's face. For him, this challenge was nothing less than a feast. Taking a stance, Lucario wiggled his paw at Spiritomb to come at him, ceasing its laughter.
''Surprised?'' Karen pretended to cool her nail paint by blowing air on her nails. ''108 souls? Heard that right? That's just 108 reasons you won't be passing this round.''
''Ooh…a mummy? That supposed to scare me, Miss Karen,'' Ash snorted. ''I think your Pokemon is nothing but a bin of dead things!''
''Careful, or you might regret what you say,'' Karen crossed her hands, an index finger still above the others.
''Oh I am being real careful, alright.''
''No love lost between these two….''
''May the battle begin!''
''Lucario, Blaze Kick!''
"And the deciding round for the final League Battle is on!"
Taking only a moment to breath, the Aura Pokemon zoomed across the field, sprint that could only define him as a blur. He leaped, leg stretched out straight in a flying kick with one foot ablaze, that nailed the ghost, or….at least that was what Lucario had intended.
"raw?'' the Aura defender was flabbergasted passing through the plasma's body hitting nothing but thin air.
''ha..ha…ha…ha…''
Landed with acrobatics, the jackal scowled with a tight fist.
''Guys, isn't Spiritomb immune to most of Lucario's attacks?'' May raised a point. ''Being a part ghost part dark type, I believe Lucario's fighting types aren't effective here.''
''wouldn't that mean Lucario is being mostly dependent on Blaze Kick and Bone Rush, both attacks that cause physical damage.'' Misty joined.
''And that too against a Pokemon that can turn intangible at will.'' Brock agreed. ''Don't have the faintest idea what's churning in Ash's mind. But I get the feeling he's got something hidden.''
"Yeah, he'll think of something…'' May agreed, clutching her jeans tight.
''Spiritomb, Shadow Ball non-stop!'' Karen cried.
''Spiritomb!'' the ghost cried, launching several bombs of black, crackling orbs at Lucario.
''Fight them!''
''raw!''
Through synchronized movements of his limbs, Lucario punched, pawed and kicked the first few sets, but the volumes and their velocity were overwhelming. The second volley hit the jackal cleanly, sweeping him off his feet, and knocking him back.
Righting himself, Lucario bared his fangs. Lucario was pitching it up without finding much of a swing, but his opponent was defending watchfully. All they had to do was copy them. Ash's smirk mirrored Lucario's.
''Metal Sound!''
Slamming the two spikes, adjoin his palms together, Lucario's feelers erected as the tips released a horrifying, drum revolting sounds, poured with intensity. Ears were assaulted as every spectator winced from the screech. Spiritomb was at worst end, as hiding inside its Keystone was the best defensive mechanism it could use. Ash didn't waste another second to seize that chance.
''Blaze Kick!''
Leaping into the air, possibly under the impression he had some sort of flying abilities as it was beautifully performed, Lucario spun and delivered a hard roundhouse kick with twin blazing feet, force so overbearing, the Odd Keystone was thrown off the air, tumbling to a stop on the ground, from which Spiritomb reemerged, not too pleased.
Lucario glares at it cautiously in defense.
''Spiritomb, Dark Pulse!''
The ghost-type released a quick blast of dark energy from all around its body, sending the attack out in a ring.
''Dark Pulse you as well!''
With a howl, a whistling blitz of dark energy burst through Lucario's palms. One pressure of Dark Pulse fought the other, eyes keen to the rushing powers from both sides. Din of collision echoed in the arena. Karen grumbled as Lucario avoided the majority of the damage that it should've taken, and chose this time to wait and see what Ash planned to do.
''Are you seriously planning to end this with your lame tricks, Ash?'' Karen scoffed, crossing her arms, making her breasts jiggle a bit. ''You should know by now that Lucario's attacks won't work on Spiritomb. Don't have me open that can of worms and end your Elite Challenge right here, but then why shouldn't I?''
''You 'couldn't' because here's a game changer!'' Ash smirked. ''Can't keep it under the wraps for long Karen. Lucario, turn the tables with Foresight!''
Irises took a red glow, as Lucario scanned the room. Everything was visibly cleared, peripheral visions at peak. He could identify a pebble to the deepest secrets of the room. And Spiritomb, let's just say it wasn't immune anymore.
''Foresight?'' Karen hummed.
''Oh, did I forget to say…I don't spook easily,'' Ash punched his open palm. ''Lucario, Aura Sphere!''
''You'll still lose!'' Karen chided. ''dodge it and Ominous Wind!''
Lucario repeated another pulsing sphere of fighting spirit, turning its arms over each other once and then spinning its body, putting all of its weight into hurling the orb at Spiritomb, who now hovered slightly above the ground rather than high in the air like earlier. The ghost-type simply watched as the Aura Sphere closed in and faded out of existence, as the sphere hit nothing but air.
However, bound to always hit, the sphere rebounded from the wall and splashed into Spiritomb's back where it returned to reality, only to be a guest of powerful blast. Grudged, the spirit exhaled a dark, horrible breath that contacted the winds. Black swirls formed in the air.
Wind and dust blasted the Aura Pokemon, drawing a look of bewilderment from him. As a punishment of the usual ghost type power, eager to succeed, Spiritomb amplified its assault, showing no mercy. The zephyr aimlessly threw Lucario off his grip, send him flying at a great distance. Lucario slammed on the ground and bounded away, skidding to a stop and struggling to be back up.
Gritting, Ash punched forward. ''Close Combat, let's go!''
The warrior blitzed towards his opponent, hands drawn behind. Scoffing, Karen didn't have time to properly respond before Lucario was raining down a rapid-fire collection of punches and kicks on her ghost type.
"When you're going for the whole enchilada, anything goes, right?''
''Retreat!'' Ash ordered.
Leaping away, Lucario breathed heavily at the cost of his defensive stats, assessing the damage he had delivered his opponent. Spiritomb on its part, looked peeved, but not particularly pained. Karen did not bother to explain exactly what happened, ordering the next move. ''Pain Split!''
Two arcs of multicolored rays were fired, as the ghost sniggered with his currents racing towards Lucario, nearly knocking the Pokemon off his feet. Suddenly, the fighting type's body seemed sore, as through an odd power, he felt the brunt of his own assault. He winced, dropping down on a knee.
''Lucario!''
''raw!'' Determined, the jackal stood back up, channeling a bone staff. The strikes were radiating pain in his body, and the suffering is acute, but if any pain would hurt him right now, that would be giving up. Knees bent, the Aura defender concentrated.
''Shadow Balls!''
''Spirit…omb!'' Once again, a volley of evil spheres were slung at Lucario, larger in size and powerful than before. Through years of experience with the staff, Lucario handled them all, redirecting a few of them back at the ghost.
''Metal Sound!'' Ash continued.
Punching a paw forward, the Shadow Balls were given a boost by thunderous sound waves. The screech was irritable, only thing relative to nails scratching on a chalk board. While the Metal Sound had made Spiritomb lose all of its concentration, the Shadow Balls who didn't have any loyalty, blasted their own maker in a super-effective hit.
Pulverized, the specter shrieked.
''Bone Rush!''
Swinging the bone like a club, sliced Spiritomb a launch in the air, a hit Ash wanted to see under pressure. Air lifting, Lucario swung his bones again, smacking the spectral form of Spiritomb, pummeling further.
''Hypnosis!''
The nimble moves of its opponent didn't hurt enough to make it think about quitting, but now Lucario was getting on its nerves. Spiritomb was making a grinding noise that could only be one of irritation, and that was enough to ignite its psychic powers.
The ghost-type's eyes lit up and a vision of the menacing eyes projected onto the fighting-type. Lucario whimpered and whirled around and locked eyes with the impression, and the glow appeared in its eyes as well. The Aura Pokémon stumbled as he landed on the ground and the apparition disappeared, and with a glance in Ash's relative direction. It was evident that Lucario was in a trance.
"That is one mean Pokemon!''
''Now, Giga Impact!''
Spiritomb cackled, thundering forward. A purple-orange energy surging to swirl around its form. It was moving unnaturally fast, and Lucario only had an instant to look up before the ghost bulldozed into the steel type. Lucario soared away and landed hard on his side, Ash grimacing as his Pokemon kissed the dirt. Feared that Lucario had immobilized due to unmoving conditions, the judge suspected the conclusion, however, Hypnosis perfect form had kicked in, dragging Lucario into a deep sleep.
''It's all over…'' May gasped. ''Lucario's asleep…''
''After they have been through so much…'' Misty whined, baling her fists.
"…I wish I could say something…but I am stumped…!''
''Pika! Pikkaaapi!''
''Feast your eyes on my ultimate weapon. Use Mega Shadow Ball!'' Karen tossed her head, in a queen manner.
''SPP…..IIIRIRIIIIIIII…TOMMMMBBBB!'' it began casting the orb, absorbing the energy into itself. Dark energy circulated around the ghost type, bathing it in the shadows. The sphere in front of its mouth was pulsing with abundant power, strength boosted as it grew larger. Dark volts began crackling around it, generating a thick sizzling layer. The ghoulish orb just kept expanding.
"Just look at the size of that thing! This just might be all she wrote! Karen's gig for the grand finale! Lucario, it was nice knowing you!''
"She's not even giving Ash a chance!'' Misty cried.
"Duh…why should she.. …She's the one holding all the cards…"
Lucario had still not returned to his consciousness. In Ash's mind, horrors were taking over optimism. If that kind of move hit, this was all over and Blastoise couldn't be relied upon for long, reminding that the Water-type was still suffering from Poison even after isolated in the Pokeball. Going through all his options, he had none but…one.
"Go ahead,'' Karen guffawed. ''Make your move, it's ain't gonna matter.''
"Oh yeah?'' Silence and worry on his face was took over by a sadistic smirk. Clapping his hands together, he soughed. ''Alright, gotta do it.''
As Spiritomb kept pouring every ounce of its element into the giant Shadow Ball, a blue cerulean glow took over Ash's form. A small blue sound wave in the shape of a ring connected a bridge between Ash and the sleeping Lucario in a form of a telepathic link.
"Lucario, come on~ hear out to me, buddy! We're in a tough spot already!''
''What was that?'' Misty gasped.
''It couldn't be…or could it…'' Brock stuttered.
''That was definitely Aura!'' May recognized.
"Come on! You there Lucario! Wake up!'' Ash grit, concentrating hard. Telepathy was already beginning to drain his aura. Lucario still wasn't reachable.
''Lucario, if you don't wake up now…We would have lost everything! All those years of training will be down the drain…and our dreams…''
At least, Spiritomb's giant Shadow Ball was ready. Bigger the size, lower the speed. Ash tensed, flinching. His mind took a reverse turn, memories and events of all his biggest victories flashing before his eyes. His pupils dilated, as the megasized crackling sphere was heading down at Lucario. He couldn't bear his Pokémon take a final hit like that. Baring his fangs, he hollered.
''LUCARIO!''
An explosion of rock and dust boomed on the field, hot winds blowing everything away. The leftover ice rocks that weren't completely disintegrated were sent outward in each direction. The trio sitting in the stands shielding themselves, while the League personnel took cover. Smoke filled the air and vouched to stay a bit longer on the field. Spiritomb gently hovered above the ground, smoke curling off its body. What happened to Lucario was still questionable.
But seemed like two people knew the result very well. The one who smirked was Karen, confident that it was the last of Lucario. Silently agreeing with her was Ash, whose head hung over, desolate that his victory was snatched after coming so close.
All the referee wanted was the haze to disappear so he could make a final call. He flag was just about to be raised.
Ash's finger tip had just reached out for Lucario's capsule, when…his plea was responded through the same medium of channel. From the smog, a similar cerulean glow reached out for the ceiling. Soon the smoke was dissipating, once again a scene was restored to everyone's eyesight.
Standing firm, hurt but proud, was Lucario shielded behind a dome of pure aura. Ash couldn't believe his eyes. Hate as he would to admit it, he could really use one of Pikachu's Thunderbolts. His eyes widened in shock. Everyone individually wondered how Lucario was still coping to be up. All but only Ash had the answer. His telepathic link had been successful.
"Hookie Dino! That is the most bizarre thing I have ever seen! One second Lucario was far away in dream land, and the next, he's back in, yes – alive and kicking!''
Karen scoffed, her plan had turned out to be a rotten failure but Lucario was still in a far worse shape than Spiritomb was.
''Lucario! You still hanging!'' Ash chuckled, delighted that his toughies were hard to crumble.
"Rrooof…''
"So what do you say we end this thing?''
"raw…raw…'' Lucario turned and stood poised to fight.
"Told you, we ain't leaving his building without winning!'' Ash pointed a finger straight at Karen . ''Your bag of tricks has a hole down. You can't use Pain Split because my math says Lucario is down on energy than Spiritomb and if you use it, Spiritomb will take an equal brunt too! Dark Pulse is out of the question, because Lucario's ability Justified is lingering. You got your back against the wall now Karen!''
"Have I now, kid?'' Karen grinned, throwing an arm out. "Giga Impact, once again!"
"She must be kidding!" May gawked. "Doesn't Spiritomb tire?''
Spiritomb drove forward once again, once again layered by the destructive blaze. This time, Ash wasn't gambling on risk.
Outstretching a hand, he retaliated. "Atomic Ultra Sized Aura Sphere!''
Lucario focused up not just his but also the additional supplied aura into his palm. Spiritomb was heading near at a heart-failing pace. Into the space of his cupped hands, formed a sphere that was expanding exponentially. The orb began to spin rapidly in size, almost the size of a Golem. Predominantly made up of solid core of aura, four additional rings began circling around a giant orb, a combination assisted from Dark Pulse.
"The gloves are off and I have a feeling that this will be something special!"
Compressed with pressurized quantities of aura within the purple rings, Aura Sphere began to spiral in Lucario's hand, as he charged at Spiritomb.
''Let's GO!''
"Look at the size of that Aura Sphere!'' May gawked.
''Its' a Suicide!'' Misty bellowed.
''Yes but for whom – Lucario or Spiritomb?'' Brock quizzed.
May stood. "C'mon! Give it all you've got!"
"Lucario!" Misty yelled. "You can do it! You, too, Ash!"
Brock, meanwhile, sighed, looking embarrassed. Did they have to make a scene?" But he kept tapping his foot, full of anxious and excited energy. "C'mon, Ash… This is in the bag…!"
"Whoa, can someone please get me a towel, I am sweating like a pig on a spit-up here!"
Both competitors headed for one another, supreme attacks at disposal. Giga Impact swirling with devastating power and Lucario's giant spirit ball bubbling with potency. Just as Giga Impact was about to collide into Lucario, using his enhanced reflexes, Lucario spun with the famous 'Spin' maneuver, and aimed the parried big Aura Sphere into the Odd Keystone.
Charred wails from Spiritomb rung the battlefield, the surgical power of Giga Impact ceased to exist, and the force of the blow caused the Odd keystone to crumble at a certain extent. The battlefield was once again clouded in smoke in a dark explosion, sending hot hues in every direction. Smoke turned into grey wisps, and a streak of blue was thrown out.
The sound of it was deafening. Ash blinked, hearing only a low whining sound for a moment as he gathered himself. He saw Lucario, trembling and not looking back at him, instead staring across the field.
And, there, he saw it that those clear swirls in Spiritomb's eyes indicated defeat, just before Karen returned it. Spiritomb had fainted after failing to get back up. Lucario released a massive sigh of relief, relieving himself of a breath he hadn't known he was holding. Immediately, the Aura Pokémon's legs gave out, and he forced himself to sit on the torched battlefield.
Ash felt his blood run cold, then incredibly hot.
He'd won!
The referee didn't need any more evidence.
"Spiritomb is unable to battle! That's Karen's final Pokémon….Meaning, our winner is, Ash Ketchum, of Pallet Town!" came the announcer's voice, finally breaking through the temporary deafness. "Having successfully defeated all Elite Four, Ash is now completely eligible to face the current champion of Kanto, Lance!''
Ash barely heard him, though, rushing onto the field to greet his weary fighter.
Lucario, smiling softly, turned around. His irises squinted as he smiled at Ash before collapsing, thoroughly exhausted. Ash skidded on his knees, hand barely coming under his Pokemon's cheek in time to keep him from hitting the ground.
His heart hammered in his chest as he stood, cradling Lucario to his chest. Tears began to spill down his cheeks.
Then, he whooped loud enough for the whole world to hear.
"We did it! We won!"
The roar of the online crowd from jumbotron buzzed in his ears as he bit back a joyous sob, breathless in every sense of the word. At long last, after years of teaching, learning, loving, and fighting, he'd done it. They'd done it.
They were champions.
"Pika-pi…" Pikachu sighed, happily. Ash opened his eyes and looked down at his lifelong partner, his best friend. "Hey, Pikachu! We did it!''
Pikachu murmured and climbed up to Ash's shoulder, saying something about how they couldn't have done it without Ash. The electric mouse did his best to relax on Ash's shoulder, knowing he'd need a brave face for the time being. Rest would have to wait.
Shapes danced in Ash's peripheral vision, and he turned just in time to see his friends sprinting over to him.
Misty was at the head of the crew, bright orange hair blowing in the summer wind. She threw herself at Ash, ensnaring her arms around him and beaming.
"You did it, you big oaf! Congratulations!" Misty jawed.
Brock was next, striding over to slap Ash on the back. The Doctor-to-be grinned, joking, "It took a little longer than we expected, though."
"Congrats, babe,'' May stepped in front of him with a smile.
With that, the only one Ash hadn't seen was May. As if reading his thoughts, she strode into his view, flanked by Glaceon and Wartortle. Ash's breath hitched ever so slightly. Her dark brown hair was tied back as it had been this morning, somehow looking casual. She wasn't even trying, and here she was taking his breath away just by walking in.
Her smile was as bright as the sun, her blue eyes shimmering with happiness as she stepped close to him. "See? I knew you had it in you."
Her hand came up, and Ash automatically pulled her into him. Next, she surged forward and hugged him tight, warm and cool at the same time as Ash returned the hug.
Someone wolf-whistled behind them. Probably that idiot announcer.
Ash gently rubbed Pikachu's head as he separated from May. "I couldn't have done it without you, buddy—or anyone else on our team."
Pikachu beamed. Wartortle raised one of his hands, adding his own garbled two cents. Glaceon cooed at Pikachu. Pikachu blushed, apparently not too tired to be embarrassed.
Lucario smirked, sighing.
Ash chuckled and glanced at midfield. Lucario and Pikachu watch Ash's attention shift suddenly, and they watch, too. A figure had walked past them, silver hair fluttered, moving further away from them both. Ash was already rushing after, careful not to jostle Pikachu much.
"Hey, wait up!"
She was already out of the room, ignoring whatever the announcer was shouting over many a loudspeaker, Pikachu was content to get away from all the noise. Ash probably was, too.
Looking up, he saw Karen turn to face them. She looked rather imposing in stature, up close. But, any sliver of skeptical she'd held onto had vanished.
Ash stood up straight, and extended a hand, carefully cozying Pikachu under his free arm. "Thanks for a great battle."
A studying gaze unnerved Ash. His hand was steady, and face not even a color of arrogance. Her lips curved into a smile. It was bizarre to think that, barely hours ago, she'd barely beaten him.
"That was some battle huh?" she said, voice even and commanding; steady and certain. "You battled bravely, an impressive feat I must admit. Well, that was relatively entertaining." As she accepted Ash's handshake with a firm grip, it was clear what she meant when she said them: the pokemon. "I don't mind having to improve myself if it's to re-challenge you. Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. That is only the selfish perception of people. Truly skilled Trainers should try to win with the Pokémon they love best. I like your style. You understand what's important."
With that, she took her hand back, retreating into the depths of the hallway with her hair fluttering behind her.
Smiling to himself, Ash turned on his heels, taking the opposite path. "Enjoy your Christmas, Lance…It will be your last Christmas as a Champion…"
At the entrance of the building, one hour later,
''Okay, not that we aren't proud you aced through the toughest trainers of Kanto,'' Misty lightly bonked Ash's head, ''but weren't you full of yourself in front of the coverage?''
''Hey, a man's gotta exude some confidence, kinda intimidate the opponent firsthand you know!'' Ash reasoned, brushing the sore spot. Once again, the fresh air of Porta Vista wafted by them. Contended by the event of the day, Ash spread his arms and sighed. ''Ah, am I glad this is over with…''
Misty agreed. Taking a deep breath, she replied. ''Just think what we have been through to get here. Looks like we all have finally achieved our dreams. May, you have already been a two time Top Coordinator, Brock is the best Pokemon physician in our region and known for his medical practice all over the world, I have become the Water Master and based on my 'secret' conversation with Lorelei, I'm next in line for the Elite position, and now you Ash, are too to become a Pokemon Master of your own region.''
''Heh,'' Brock joined, tapping Misty on her shoulder. ''Some trip huh?''
"Yeah…'' Ash grinned and turned around. ''Just think of all the cool events that led us to be here. If I hadn't poked that Spearow, I don't think I would have gained Pikachu's trust. I wouldn't have run into you, Mist. Wouldn't never have gotten past Brock. Just think, of all those people we met on our journey, all the places we explored, all the new things we tried, all the Pokemon we saw!"
"Yeah…" Misty dreamed of the memories.
Just then Ash received a call. Rotom Dex hovered in front of his face, and Ash's eyes sparked upon reading the caller was none other than the President, Charles Goodshow.
"Little dude! A big shout out to you and your peeps for an awesome victory today!''
Ash chuckled. "Hey, thanks. Mr. Goodshow!''
"But it's time to take out the big guns and slam dam some action! You know the rules my boy! Psst….you know it's not like I am addicted to Lance or anything! Hahaha! But all the best for your final battle! It takes place next Sunday at 8:00 pm at Indigo Plateau! Be prepared little dude! Chao!''
"Well, for someone so old, it might be disrespectful to call him jibberish right to his face…'' Ash sweatdropped.
"One week of solid training huh?'' May leaned into him, and whispered in his ears. "Well, it's gonna be hard, but I can keep my hands off you. Win the trophy and I am gonna ride you dry…''
Ash flustered. Luckily, May's sweet promise only felt music to his ears.
"Well, we got dibs on your training!'' Brock draped Ash into his side.
"We are the best team aren't we?'' Misty chuckled.
"No doubt there!''
''Sure are!''
''Pikaa!"
"Yeah, you bethcit Misty!" Ash took out a Pokeball. ''We are one big team and that's the only way to come out on top! Enough with the small talk, I have got an elbow bending date with the buffet table." Joyous at the thought of all those cuisines his mouth hadn't tasted yet, he dashed with Pikachu on board.
More like first, second and third date at least.'' Brock chuckled. "With Ash around, those chefs will be working overtime."
''I ain't no expert at table manners, but I got a bad feeling, they want me there to stop him from making a mess…'' Misty sighed.
May blinked…."Guys, when do you think he'll realize he took the wrong way…the restaurant is this way…" she pointed her thumb above her shoulder. "and he's gone towards the sea…''
Alrighty! Another chapter – typed and published! Sorry for the delay, few stuffs had to be taken care off. Well, with this chapter, the Elite Four Challenge is behind Ash and crew. They fought valiantly, and the Big Boss 'Lance' awaits them. But that one has still a few more days to go.
Next chapter is gonna be a giant one too. It was my dream to write about a Christmas, but all the delay pushed me into April – May. So the next one is dedicated to Christmas, a past of Lucario (special request) and a recurring character. Next one may or may not be a full battle. Depends on my mood.
Hey speaking of a recurring character, hope everyone's heard the big news. With Iris's return, it's gonna be as I predicted – Dragonite against Dragonite. At one time, Iris was one of the disliked characters, and now, fans are going nuts on her return. And if…if the creators decide to bring back Serena, be ready to witness a seismic disturbance, as fans are gonna try jump on the earth and reach for the sky. It will be awesome to see Dragonite in a battle, (last seen in JN025..KUDOS to writers for consistently writing about Goh) hope he does something cool this time – like pull out a Dragon Rush or something. Iris and Ash have had the battles in past- ones that can throw the field into oblivion. Her Dragonite may harbor a vendetta for losing to Krookodile and the Charizard fight one cannot be forgotten. So, no one really knows who's gonna take the cake this time.
For Absol, I don' have any hopes for Ash to catch it, since the writers will be like – 'Hey, it's been seven days since Goh hasn't caught a new Pokemon…let's give him one!' Thank you, thank you so much for the answer 'why a main character shouldn't catch too many Pokémon.' It's self- deterioting.
Your show, ruin it in any way you like. Have Goh as the face of the show and not only Pokemon will be history, you'll be running around with your CV's to land a job in other anime series.
Glad that's off my chest. Please stay safer, take more precautions, don't leave your homes. COVID isn't something that's gonna leave soon, if not cooperated.
Thank you for reading. Will be back with another spiced chapter.