Welcome back, everyone! We're breaking into the final stretch of the story, here! I'll be uploading an art piece made just for this chapter on my twitter, Stumpyart, so check that out! I'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback on the new chapter. Enjoy!
Oak's Laboratory looked the same as it ever did. Sitting on the peak of a hill, it hid the vastness of the ranch. The windmill atop the building creaked and budged, with a breeze running through Pallet Town.
His wild bangs whipped around over his eyes, a smile forming on his lips.
"It's been a while, since we've ended up back here together, huh?"
"Ash, it's been all of two weeks." Gary rolled his eyes, standing beside his old rival.
Ash smirked at the brunette, shrugging his shoulders. "Just setting the mood. Come on, Buddy," he reached to coddle Pikachu's cheek, walking up the familiar steps.
"Oh, yeah. Consult the perched mouse; not the guy who lent you a hand in the first place." Gary snorted, following the other trainer.
Overhearing Gary, Pikachu turned back to him, and pulled his eyelid down, sticking his tongue out. "Pika-chu." He had best friend perks.
A quick knock on the door earned an answer. Professor Oak opened the door and beamed. "Ash, Gary, Pikachu! Welcome back." Stepping aside, he gave the trio room to enter.
"Thanks!" Ash stepped inside the lab, followed by Gary. "Hope we didn't miss too much."
"Nothing too eventful," Oak replied. "Brock and Misty returned to Pewter and Cerulean City while you were gone; they both had some family business to attend to."
"You're kidding." Ash's shoulders slumped. "Bummer. Would've been nice to see them off."
"Oh, they said to give them a call, when you're ready to begin your challenge," the Professor replied. "Whatever their issue, they should be available, by now."
"Hmph. Still need your cheer squad, Ashy-boy?" Gary teased.
"Coming from the guy who used to drive around a pack of cheerleaders?"
"I grew out of that little habit," Gary waved his hand. "Have you?"
"I can do it on my own," Ash promised. "It's just… nice to have everyone there."
"Aw, how sweet~!" A hand clapped on Ash's shoulder, catching his attention.
"Dawn!"
The blue-haired girl had snuck up on him, holding Rura in her arms. "I didn't know you missed us that much," she winked.
"Well… you know-!" Flushing red, Ash rubbed the back of his head. He wasn't… clingy, was he!?
~Oh, barf.~ Rura scrunched his nose.
Ash lifted Rura up safely by the scruff of his neck, squinting at him. "I don't remember asking you."
None too happy to be hoisted, Rura simply blew a raspberry in Ash's face.
"Oh, gross!" Ash wiped slobber off his face, returning the fox to Dawn.
"Now, now," Oak soothed. "I still haven't heard from you two," he addressed Ash and Gary. "How did your training go?"
"Not bad at all! I'd say we accomplished a lot," Gary boasted. "Even if some of the exercises were pretty unorthodox."
"They were weird," Ash corrected.
"...I keep telling you, Gramps, you can't fix stupid." Before Ash could argue with him, Gary continued. "I'm not sure what jumping rope with Vine Whip was meant to accomplish."
"Or, catching berries while riding a Dodrio," Ash added.
"You did what!?" Dawn blurted out.
"Ah, yes. Ultima was always an odd one - and rather picky, at that," Professor Oak reminisced. "But I'm sure you see, now, why I suggested you accompany Ash for his tutelage."
"I sure can," Ash agreed. "Thanks for the heads-up. That race was intense! Down to the wire."
"Although, I can't help but feel I was a little handicapped," Gary added.
"It's okay," Ash grinned, pointing a finger squarely in Gary's face. "You don't have to tell them, if you don't want to!"
"I'll pass," the Professor-in-training gratefully agreed.
"Huh?" Dawn tilted her head, quirking a brow. What was up with that?
"Then I suffice it to say, you obtained the three all-powerful moves?" Oak questioned.
"Sure did," Ash boasted. "Not only that, but we got a whole new trump card!" He looked to Pikachu, offering his fist.
"Pika-chu!" Pikachu grinned, pumping his fist against Ash's.
"A new trump card? Is that so?" The Professor hummed, curious.
"Oh, what is it!?" Dawn gushed, eyes sparkling. "You've got to show us!"
"You'll just have to wait and see."
"Pika-chu!"
"In any case, you should probably schedule your challenge," Oak reminded. "From what you told us, Lance has been awaiting your call."
"You're right," Ash agreed. "I'll get right on that!"
"Give 'em hell, Ashy-Boy." Gary smirked, offering Ash a slap on the shoulder.
"Hmph." Ash smiled, giving a thumbs-up in return. "You can count on it!"
"Thank you, Mr. Ketchum, we'll have you through to the Champion immediately." A man relayed over the video phone, before tapping a couple of buttons. The screen changed to a standby animation - the outline of a Porygon slowly filling up with color.
Standing in his living room, Ash swallowed heavily, awaiting the man he would soon hopefully face.
"Ash. I was wondering when I'd hear from you." The bold-commanding voice of Lance brought Ash to attention. He appeared on screen, looking stern as he ever did. A hint of a smile showed on his lips, if one looked closely enough. "It's been a while."
"I've been very busy - please excuse me!" Ash bowed his head.
"Clearly," Lance replied. Ash flinched. Had he already disappointed Lance!?
"Now that I've heard from you, I assume you're ready to begin your gauntlet?"
"I am," Ash affirmed, stone-faced.
"Music to my ears." Lance let his satisfaction show in a full smile. "Then, your challenge to the Champion's League will begin on this coming Friday, at noon, sharp. I assume you've reviewed the terms of a challenge to the Elite Four?"
"Yes, sir." Ash nodded.
"I'm glad. But it can't hurt to review, once more. You will face each of the Indigo League's Elites one at a time, at their own chosen locations, throughout the region. I should warn you, it's entirely possible that your challenge will end on its first leg - such a result has befallen many conference victors. Be prepared for that scenario."
"I understand," Ash agreed.
"Then, if you should manage to defeat the first, you will face the next, on the following Friday, at the same time as the last. If you should successfully triumph above the four, then I will be your final challenge. As unlikely as it is," Lance chuckled lightly, raising an arm to fan his cape. "I'd be honored to face you, as I'd promised, many weeks ago."
"I promise you'll get that match." Ash tightened a fist, staring boldly into the eyes of the Champion.
"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu challenged, echoing his trainer's resolve.
"I'll pray you deliver on that promise," Lance replied. "As it stands, your first opponent will be the ice-type Pokemon Master, Lorelei. You'll find her on the northern shores of Seafoam Islands, just outside the caverns."
"Lorelei…" Ash's fists tightened unconsciously. The first Elite he'd ever faced - the one who had beaten him soundly, and brutally.
This time would be different.
"Understood, Lance. I'll be there!"
"It's good to be back!" Dawn cooed, practically skipping through the tunnel that led to the end of the Seafoam Caverns. Icicles hung from the ceiling, though less and less frequent as the group approached the exist.
"Empolll!" Empoleon cawed gleefully, sliding across the frost on his belly. He didn't even need Ice Beam, this time!
"Once a Sinnoh girl, always a Sinnoh girl, huh?" Ash shook his head amusedly at his girlfriend, walking with his hands slipped into his coat pockets.
"Fitting, that an Ice-type Master stages her battlefield here," Brock thought aloud.
"Oh, it's not that bad!" Dawn waved her hand. "Besides, we're almost out!" The light at the end of the tunnel was quite literally right in front of them.
"Yeah…" Ash couldn't stop himself from smiling - the corners of his lips stretched to each of his cheeks, an eager glow flickering in his eyes. He felt like he was about to burst with excitement!
It was just one of those days where he couldn't contain that youthful enthusiasm. "Hah, I can't wait!" He sprinted ahead, passing even Dawn and Empoleon.
"Pika-chu!" Pikachu cried, hanging on tight to Ash's shoulder. They were ready!
"Hey, don't think you're getting too far ahead," Misty shouted, catching up with Ash. "I've got to see Lorelei, myself!"
Brock shook his head. "They may be growing up, but they still make me feel old."
Blinding light made the duo squint, far outshining the dim caves, until their eyes adjusted. The shore laid not far outside the cave, the ground coated in permafrost. Icicles and other frozen structures laid about the cavern walls. The sea beside the battlefield was lined with slush.
"Alright!" Ash grinned, pumping a fist as he stepped into the noon sun. "We're here, and ready to- huh?"
"...Where's Lorelei?" Misty rested an elbow atop Ash's shoulder, holding her hand above her eyes to scan the beach. "It's just about noon."
"I know Lance said this is where it'd be…" A chilling thought struck Ash, twisting his face in despair. "We didn't come on the wrong day, did we!?"
"No, I'm pretty sure it's Friday." Dawn joined the group, resting a hand on her hip.
"Maybe she's around here, somewhere…" Ash exhaled, letting his eyes fall shut. If he could just sense out another aura… oh! There was-
"The weather's nice today, isn't it?"
Startled, the group whirled around. Atop a boulder, near the entrance to the cave, sat the redheaded, spacey-looking Elite. Smiling gently, she held a hand up to guard her eyes from the sun. "The sea looks positively gorgeous, under the sun's shine…"
"It does!" Dawn agreed enthusiastically. "But… isn't that a little off-topic?"
"Pol!" Empoleon cawed. He was expecting something more dramatic from an Ice-type Master - a big introduction - a speech - a tough pokemon at her side!? There should be some flair, here!
Lorelei stood, walking past Dawn and Empoleon. "It's really an ideal day for a battle," she turned her eyes to Ash, "don't you think?"
"You know, just because you're an Elite, doesn't mean you should ignore people!" Dawn barked, her cheek puffing up. The nerve!
"Shhh!" Misty slapped a hand over her younger friend's mouth. "Don't be rude! It's just Lorelei's way of doing things!"
"I remember." Ash smiled, toying with the brim of his cap. "Calm, like the water, right?" The Elite trainer had been just as spacey the last time they'd met, if he recalled.
"I agree. It's the perfect day, for a match like this." Just warm enough to match his post-Mt. Silver sensibilities, but chilly enough to set the stage for a battle with ice-types.
Despite a slight chill, he was giddy.
With some effort, Dawn pried Misty's hand off her face. "I feel like I'm a little out of the loop, here…"
"You all looked straight ahead, rushing to your destination. The island isn't going anywhere," Lorelei replied. Lazily twirling a pokeball on her fingertip, she smiled. "You missed that I was right beside you. Although, it looks like you caught on, Ash. I'm impressed."
"I remembered what you told me, back then," Ash replied.
"Lorelei likes to say that she lives like the water," Misty replied to Dawn, "but during battle, she becomes hard like ice."
"That sounds like poetry!" Dawn gushed.
"Very good, Misty," Lorelei addressed the Gym Leader. "It's nice to see you've taken my lessons to heart. I'm sure you and Ash have grown to be quite strong."
"Oh, goodness, thank you!" Misty squeaked out, cupping her face with her hands. She was positively red with fluster - what a compliment from her idol, of all people! "I've done my best!"
"I have, too," Ash agreed. "But you'll see that today!"
"I will! I'm quite excited." Lorelei slowly stood up from her perch. "I regret missing your conference performance - I was rather busy, up until the closing ceremony. But I've heard good things."
"Miss Lorelei!" A man's voice could be heard, from down the shore. A hot-air balloon passed over the cavern, slowly coming to a halt, to lay upon the beach.
"Oh, good. The referee is here." Lorelei approached the balloon. "I assume you're ready to go?"
"Of course!" The uniformed man stepped out of the basket, standing in the middle of the beach, closer to the caverns than the shore. "As an official referee, sanctioned by the Pokemon League, I will be the judge of today's Champion's League match!"
"The Champion's League…" Ash swallowed, walking to one end of the shore. He suddenly felt Butterfree storming in his stomach. So much for all of that confidence. "I can't believe we're here."
"Piiika," Pikachu agreed. He gently pat Ash's face with his paw, to soothe his anxiety.
"Thanks, buddy."
Two more officials inside the balloon tapped a control pad, unleashing a monstrous gadget - a huge, mobile scoreboard. Ash's visage was presented at the top of one side, and Lorelei's on the other.
"I hope you don't mind, by the way; there are cameras set up around the area. It'd be a shame if the rest of the region had to miss out on her battle," Lorelei explained, walking to her end of the battlefield.
"That's fine with me," Ash agreed.
"This will be a full, 5-on-6 battle, favoring the challenger!" The referee started. "The challenger will be allowed to switch pokemon freely, while the Elite, Lorelei, may not."
"Five-on-six?" Ash echoed, frowning. "That doesn't sound fair at all."
"Oh, trust me." Lorelei gave Ash a soft smile. "It's very fair."
"I want to face you at your best!" Ash argued, tightening a fist in front of him. "I won't feel satisfied with a handicap!"
"And here, I thought he'd gotten past his overconfidence issues." Misty sighed.
"Our full teams are restricted to those who have already entered the Hall of Fame," Lorelei replied. "So, if you want to, that badly, you'll have to get past us, first. Though, if I were you…" The redhead adjusted her thick-rimmed glasses. "...I'd focus on trying to win, the first time."
"Hmm." Ash grunted. "Alright, if that's how it is, then I'll do just that."
"The four-move-per-pokemon legal limit is lifted for Champion's League matches; your pokemon may use as many moves as they're capable of!" The referee continued.
"That makes sense," Brock thought aloud, his thumb held to his chin. "It only makes sense for battles to be unrestricted at the highest level… Though, I wonder whether that'll help Ash, or hurt him."
"I think it'll work for him," Dawn cut in. "Over the last couple of months, I've seen Ash cycle through lots of moves - he won't come out short, in that department!"
"There will be no time limit! The match will be decided when one trainer's party is unable to battle, or when one of them surrenders. Lorelei, please call out your first pokemon!"
"I look forward to seeing how you handle the wrath of my ice types, Ash." Lorelei clutched a pokeball, tossing it onto the field. "Go, Dewgong!"
"Dewww-gong!" The snow-white Sea Lion pokemon appeared, clapping her flippers.
"A Dewgong… Alright!" Ash reached for his belt, grabbing a capsule. He felt Pikachu leave his shoulder as he reared back, tossing his own pokeball. "I choose you, Pidgeot!"
A flash of light took the shape of Pidgeot, who let out a loud cry. Flapping her wings, she hovered above the beach.
"A flying type…? Interesting choice." Lorelei blinked.
The referee waved a flag. "May the battle begin!"
"Flying type or not, Pidgeot's got plenty going for her!" Ash gestured forward. "Aerial Ace!"
Pidgeot shot higher into the air, and gaining speed, seemingly vanished.
In the blink of an eye, she was upon Dewgong, crashing into her, beak-first. The water/ice type pokemon tumbled backwards across the field.
"Good," Ash praised. "Now, follow that up, with Heat Wave!"
"Pidgoo!" Pidgeot flapped her wings, unleashing a blistering wind.
"Dewgong," Lorelei countered, "use Ice Beam."
"Dew-gong-gong!" Aiming her horn towards the ground, Dewgong unleashed a freezing flash. A crystalline wall of ice rose in Dewgong's defense, obstructing Heat Wave.
The collision of hot and cold hissed loudly, giving birth to a tall, thick veil of steam.
Pidgeot hovered above the hot vapor, scanning for any sign of Dewgong. A blue flash alerted her, and she fell back, managing to avoid another Ice Beam.
Ash observed the scene, squinting at the steam. Flickers of blue danced throughout the clouds. "If she gets hit by one of those… Watch out, Pidgeot! There are a few more Ice Beams, on the way!"
"Djo!" Pidgeot spun into a barrel roll, avoiding a freezing ray that climbed a vertical path through the sky. Another shot towards her feet, and she quickly flapped her wings, gaining altitude.
A fifth flash appeared, heading straight for the flying type's head. She squawked, falling backwards, belly-up to avoid it.
"Come to think of it," Brock thought aloud, "this isn't too bad of a match-up. Pidgeot has a type disadvantage, sure, but she's far faster and more mobile than a Dewgong; especially on land. With two moves that are effective against ice…"
A multicolored flash broke through the steam, suddenly striking Pidgeot.
The bird shrieked, losing a bit of altitude.
"What was that!?" Ash gasped. "I couldn't even see it coming…"
"Aurora Beam isn't quite as bright as Ice Beam," Lorelei explained. "You shouldn't assume I'm going to attack with just one move."
"Point taken," Ash agreed. He had to be more careful.
"Dewgong, Aqua Jet!"
Propelled by a powerful jet of water, Dewgong launched herself at Pidgeot, quickly closing in.
"Now, spin!" Ash shouted.
Pidgeot spun horizontally, pulling herself just out of Aqua Jet's path.
"Steel Wing!"
Pidgeot's many feathers were coated in hardened, glimmering steel, ideal for smashing into Dewgong's hide. The Sea Lion was knocked aside, plummeting into the water below.
"Perfect. We've got 'em right where we want 'em." Ash smirked, fiddling with the brim of his cap. "Now, use Hurricane!"
A furious beat of the bird's wings whipped up a monstrous wind above the sea, stirring up a raging typhoon. Cool mist and slush rained about it, stirred up by the attack.
"Nice one!" Misty cheered, pumping a fist. "Using Hurricane on the water to whip up an attack like that... " Holding a hand to her chin, she nodded in thought. "I'll have to remember that!"
"You've gotten creative," Lorelei praised with a slight smile.
Ash grinned, brushing his index finger over his nose. "You haven't seen the half of it."
"I certainly hope not. Dewgong, Ice Beam!"
Pidgeot was forced to lurch back, as Ice Beams sprayed out of the cyclone.
"We won't fall for that a second time," Ash shouted. "Pidgeot, make some distance!"
The large avian pulled back away from her attack, safely out of an errant Ice Beam's range.
The rushing, twisting water began to lose momentum and size, breaking off into chilling waves and mist.
"What in the world!?" Ash did a double-take.
"I think I know what's going on," Dawn spoke from the sidelines. "This has happened when I've tried to mix ice moves in with Whirlpool. If I don't get it just right, it falls apart."
"I see," Brock replied. "Strong winds like that thrive with heat and weaken with cold. Lorelei sped up the process with Ice Beams. That's someone who really knows her element."
Lorelei didn't respond. She'd been figured out.
"Just what I'd expect from an Elite." Ash took a deep breath, and grinned. "That's fine. We've got more up our sleeves, too! Pidgeot, Brave Bird!"
Pidgeot righted herself with a cry, shooting towards the surfaced Dewgong like a speeding bullet. Blue, blazing light coated her aerodynamic form, building up power.
"Dewgong, you know what to do," Lorelei coaxed.
"Gong!" She dove, hiding beneath the water's surface.
"It's risky," Ash thought aloud, "but we can't waste an attack like that! After it!"
Pidgeot followed, parting the water with ease.
"Now, Dewgong," Lorelei instructed, "use Rest."
Underwater, Dewgong overheard the command, letting her eyes fall shut for a peaceful slumber.
Pidgeot powered through, despite the water's resistance slowing her down considerably. She smashed into Dewgong with all her might.
The Sea Lion tumbled about, seemingly undisturbed. Finding the water a bit nippy for her tastes, Pidgeot surfaced. Brave Bird's recoil bothered her slightly, but as numb as she was, it was hard to notice.
"How's it going down there, Pidgeot?" Ash asked. "Did it take a lot of damage?"
Disappointed, Pidgeot shook her head.
"Gotcha." So, what now…? Dewgong was just chilling underwater, recovering health. They couldn't just let it stay there, unpunished.
The lightbulb went off in Ash's head, and the flicker in his eye followed. "Hey, Misty! I'm gonna have to borrow your strategy for a second!"
"Huh? One of mine!?" Misty quirked a brow. "What're you talking about, Ketchum?"
"You'll see," he replied, and gestured to the sea. "Pidgeot, use Heat Wave!"
Pidgeot beat her wings, assaulting the water with tremendous heat.
"There. Now, there's no way Dewgong'll stay under there for long." Ash smirked.
"So, he did learn something from our battle, after all," Misty remarked. "On a water field, controlling the terrain is key!"
"Commanding the field to your advantage is a valuable skill," Lorelei acknowledged. "It's nice to see that you're not too proud to learn lessons from your peers. That said…"
"Gong!" Dewgong leapt out of the water, landing on the shore. Shaking herself dry, the pokemon clapped. "Dew-gong!"
"It didn't work!?" Ash exclaimed. "Even if it's a water type, it's still part ice - that should've done something." He pursed his lips in thought. "...Unless it has an ability that held off the heat?"
"Thick Fat," Lorelei confirmed. "Very good."
"So, Heat Wave won't be dealing much damage… bummer. Then, use Steel Wing!"
Pidgeot crossed the fray, smashing her mineral-clad wing into Dewgong.
Lorelei smiled. "Use Encore."
"Dew!" Dewgong righted herself, enthusiastically clapping her flippers. "Dew-Dewgong!"
"Oh, of all the moves…" Dawn winced. "I did not want to see that one, again!"
Brock folded his arms. "This could be bad. Being stuck with one move at a battle of this level could put Ash in hot water, fast."
"Don't you mean cold water?" Ash butted in.
"Quit making jokes and focus on the battle!" Misty scolded.
"I am," Ash replied, his eyes glued to the battlefield. "So, that's all we can do, for a bit… guess we don't have a choice. Pidgeot, come back around for another!"
"Pidgo!" Pidgeot circled the beach, coming around for another strike.
"Use Ice Beam!"
Dewgong fired Ice Beam from her horn. The cold ray hit its mark, striking Pidgeot right in the wing.
"Pidge!?" Pidgeot recoiled, nursing her wing. Suddenly, the ground looked a lot closer, below her… she was losing altitude!
"Shoot," Ash hissed. "Her wing is frozen!"
Pidgeot struggled to stay airborne, flapping furiously with her free wing.
"Again," Lorelei ordered.
Dewgong fired another Ice Beam, striking Pidgeot's opposite wing. Ice encased the limb, bringing Pidgeot tumbling down to the ground.
"Pidgeot!" Ash called out in worry. "Now, she's stuck…"
"Pidge!" Pidgeot squawked, struggling to lift her terribly frozen wings. The weight of the ice kept her grounded, much to her frustration.
"Use Aqua Jet," Lorelei continued.
Dewgong surrounded herself in water, rocketing forward to crash into Pidgeot.
The bird was sent tumbling, helpless to defend herself.
"She can't use any moves, besides Steel Wing…" Ash grimaced. "This is bad."
"Ash is totally trapped." Misty's brows furrowed in worry. "Maybe he ought to switch Pidgeot out."
"I'm not so sure," Brock doubted. "Then, she'll be just as helpless the next time she's sent out, potentially at a critical moment. If she can survive for a bit, the frost may wear off. That may be Ash's best, and only option."
"Now, if we can just find a way to defend against her next move…" Ash wiped sweat from his brow, watching the Elite for clues.
"Dewgong… use Rest."
"Huh?" Ash voiced his confusion.
"Piiika?" Pikachu tilted his head. What was she up to, now?
Dewgong dropped into a comfortable coil on the beach, falling into a snooze.
"Great… if she keeps healing like this, we'll never get past her. On the other hand," Ash thought aloud, "we can use this time to let Encore wear off. Take it easy for now, Pidgeot!"
"Pidge!" As if she had a choice.
"Use Sleep Talk."
Ash blanched. "Uh-oh."
Still slumbering, Dewgong lifted her head, firing a bright flash of light towards Pidgeot.
"Another Ice Beam!" Ash gasped. "Block, with your wings!"
Pidgeot slammed her frozen wings down in front of her, intercepting the beam. She recoiled in pain, as her wings were further encased in ice.
"Now, they're even more frozen…" Ash tightened a fist. Just maybe… "Try using Heat Wave!"
"Pidgeot!" The bird cried, attempting to flood her wings with heat.
She had no such luck. The lull of Encore somehow kept her body from responding to her mind.
"That's too bad, Ash." Adjusting her glasses, Lorelei made her expression intense. "But I'd be insulting you if I took it easy on you."
"I couldn't agree more," Ash replied.
"Sleep Talk!"
Dewgong opened her mouth, this time, launching a torrent of salt water. It was swift, threatening to swallow Pidgeot.
"I'm pretty sure that's Brine," Brock announced.
"Might as well put those blocks of ice to use," Ash figured. "Use your frozen wings to block it!"
The large bird growled, under her breath. Being the prideful leader of a flock, she hated being a sitting duck - almost literally, in this case. Clinging to the battle pinned to the ground was pathetic, for a queen of the skies.
But she wasn't looking to end-up water-logged. She did what she had to do and ducked her head behind her wings.
Brine crashed into the ice, sending Pidgeot tumbling back, once more. Standing up to shake the moisture out of her feathers, she was at least grateful she'd ducked the brunt of the blow.
"Pidgeot! Even the ice didn't work… How you holding up, there?"
"Pidgeot!" Pidgeot squawked. She wasn't ready to lose, in this condition.
"Hm…" Ash studied the battlefield. Dewgong was still asleep… and Pidgeot… well, those wings were still encased in ice. But her wing looked particularly beige… "Hey, Steel Wing's gone!" Ash grinned, gesturing a hand forward. "Pidgeot, use Hyper Beam!"
Trusting her trainer, she reared her head back, charging a potent, violet beam in front of her beak. With a screech, she fired.
Dewgong yawned loudly, slowly coming to. Blinking to adjust her vision, she got the faintest sight of a blackish blast. "Gong?"
Hyper Beam struck its target with explosive force, shaking the very shore of the island. Black and violet specks rained with the soot and ashes that came as debris.
"That's more like it." Ash grinned, tightening a fist.
"Potent," Lorelei praised. "But, are you sure you want to leave yourself immobile, again?"
Ash's confident smile vanished.
"While it's recovering. Aurora Beam!"
Dewgong fired a beautiful, colorful blast at Pidgeot, striking her hide.
Pidgeot recoiled, shivering at the impact. Her wings felt slightly numb.
"That doesn't look good," Ash stated the obvious.
"Remember, Ash," Misty spoke, "Aurora Beam has a chance of lowering the target's attack power!"
"Right," Ash nodded. "Then, in that case, we'll have to finish this in one shot!"
"Oh?" Lorelei smiled. "I hope you can back that up."
"Just watch me!" Ash's expression became stern. "Use Heat Wave!"
Having regained her breath, Pidgeot expelled heat from her wings, melting the restrictive ice down to a pair of puddles. With a high-pitched cry, she flapped her wings, assaulting Dewgong.
"Heat Wave alone won't cut it," Ash thought aloud. "So, let's take it up a notch! Hurricane!"
Pidgeot's wing beats became more furious, whipping the white-hot winds of Heat Wave into a wild, blistering tempest. Unruly winds lashed out, melting solid ice on the spot.
Lorelei gasped, watching as Dewgong was tossed about in the eye of the storm. "Oh dear…"
"Piiika." Pikachu complained, already sweating from the incoming winds.
"I know, buddy," Ash soothed. "Don't worry - this is almost over!" Punching the air, Ash roared his final command. "Pidgeot, Brave Bird!"
Pidgeot nodded to Ash and soared. Climbing above her own combination move, she shone with blue brilliance, and dove into the center of Hurricane.
Lorelei's expression hardened. "Dewgong, use Brine!"
Dewgong struggled to right herself, tossed and scorched by the fierce combination. With Pidgeot quickly leaving the Sea Lion in her shadow, she fought back with a bolstered jet of water.
The colliding attacks stirred Hurricane's winds wild, before disbanding completely.
Ash held his cap down over his eyes, guarding himself from the aftermath.
"...Both Dewgong and Pidgeot are unable to battle," the referee called. "This round is a tie!"
Gasping, Ash opened his eyes to the scene. Pidgeot laid out on her back, exhausted, with a few scorched feathers.
Dewgong laid in a heap beside her opponent, with swirls in her eyes.
"Phew…" Ash exhaled, wiping sweat from his forehead. Only one round in, and this battle was incredibly tense. "I guess this is what it's like, to battle the Champion's League… Thanks, Pidgeot. Return!"
The flying type was recalled in a flash of light.
"Thank you, Dewgong." Lorelei recalled her pokemon, looking across to Ash. "Not bad at all, Ash. I didn't expect you to get past Dewgong with your first pokemon. It's rare that any challenger does."
"I can see why." Ash smirked, adjusting his cap atop his head. "It's really sturdy."
"I'm already exhausted, just watching." Dawn whistled. "But, that's one pokemon down, and four to go!"
"Empol!" Empoleon raised a wing in the air.
"What a Dewgong, though," Misty cooed.
"To require nothing short of a Brave Bird, after a combination move…" Brock hummed. "I can only wonder how tough her other pokemon are."
"I hope you're ready for your next challenge, Ash," Lorelei resumed. "We're far from done. Go, Cloyster!"
The Bivalve pokemon appeared, enraptured in a huge, purple, rock-hard shell, covered in large spines. A ghoulish face was partially hidden behind the pokemon's exoskeleton, bearing a creepy grin.
"Hey, a familiar face!" Ash's eyes glimmered in recognition. "You faced Pikachu, last time… well, this time, you'll have a different opponent - a real tough customer, at that!" Ash reared back, before tossing another pokeball. "Floatzel! It's your turn!"
"Float!" The bipedal weasel stood, crossing his arms over his chest.
Ash punched forward. "Aqua Jet!"
Floatzel surrounded himself in water, propelling himself at Cloyster for a full-body tackle.
"Cloyster, use Reflect," Lorelei ordered.
Cloyster closed his shell, creating a translucent barrier in front of his shell.
Floatzel crashed into Reflect with all of his might, before bouncing off.
Cloyster, meanwhile, hadn't budged an inch.
"That attack didn't do a thing," Brock remarked. "Cloyster's high defenses on top of Reflect… Ash has a tough battle, ahead of him."
"Use Spike Cannon!"
"Cloyster!" The Bivalve emerged from his shell, firing an onslaught of spines from his tough exterior, whipping around to crash into Floatzel.
The water-type cried in pain, knocked into the air by the explosive barrage.
"Hang in there," Ash coached, "Hydro Pump!"
"Zel!" Still in mid-air, Floatzel opened his mouth, firing the attack.
Cloyster was struck with Hydro Pump, skidding back across the chilly sand.
"Good. Now, use Brick Break!" Ash commanded.
"Float!" Floatzel lunged at the recovering Cloyster, bringing down a superpowered chop. The fighting-type move shattered Reflect, smashing brutally into Cloyster's shell.
Lorelei's eyes grew wide, watching her pokemon recoil. "A counter to Reflect… I won't lie, that was unexpected."
"What just happened?" Dawn questioned.
"Brick Break, on top of doing damage, has a secondary effect," Brock explained. "It breaks through Reflect and Light Screen, if they're currently active. A great attack, all-around."
Lorelei gestured towards Floatzel. "Another Spike Cannon!"
"Cloy…!" Still wincing from the last attack, Cloyster launched another explosive flurry of spikes.
"We don't want to take another one of those…" Ash frowned, then gestured outward. "Let's see a Hydro Pump Counter Shield!"
Floatzel leapt back into the air, spinning wildly as he spit out a swiftly rotating whip of water. The loose jets intercepted Spike Cannon, making the attacks fizzle out.
Lorelei bore a cool smile. One that gave Ash a chill down his spine. "Now, Toxic Spikes."
"It can use Toxic Spikes!?" Ash shouted, mouth agape in terror.
Cloyster chuckled from within his shell, firing another series of armored spines. The most recent barrage was coated in a sickly pink, seeping into the terrain, below.
"Not that move, again." Dawn clenched her fist over her heart.
"Pol!" Empoleon hated those things - he was immune, sure, but they were such a bother to Ash and Pikachu!
"We can't let him hit the water," Ash hissed. "But, we don't have to! Floatzel, get yourself into the water, with Aqua Jet!"
"Floatzel!" Floatzel nodded along, wrapping himself in another Aqua Jet.
"Use Blizzard," Lorelei instructed.
Cloyster revealed his ghoulish true form to the world, unleashing a terribly freezing gust from his shell.
"Zel!?" Floatzel flinched, finding himself suddenly awfully cold. Aqua Jet was freezing over - and him, with it. Before he could think to escape, he'd been encased in a huge block of ice.
"They used Ice Aqua Jet against us." Ash grimaced.
"Spike Cannon!"
Cloyster resumed his assault, blasting his helpless target.
Shattered chunks of ice rained over the field like hail. Plummeting soon after was Floatzel, who painfully crashed into the ground, belly-up.
"Float… zel…" The Sea Weasel grunted, sitting up. He felt a little numb, and his head hurt, but it'd take a lot more to bring him down than that!
A sudden, sickly pain flooding his body, though, he hadn't accounted for. Purple bubbles of toxins surrounded him, giving his poisoned status a visual cue.
"Great…" Ash grimaced. "Hang in there, Floatzel!"
"Floatzel!" He grinned, despite his pained expression, giving a thumbs-up
"Use Blizzard!"
Floatzel scrambled to stand, guarding his body to the best of his ability.
Ice began to coat Floatzel's body, freezing him in place.
"He's frozen, now, too!?" Ash grit his teeth. "Give me a break…"
"Oh, poor Floatzel!" Misty cupped her hands over her mouth. "Now, he's poisoned and frozen."
"Trapped, to suffer status damage…" Brock hummed. "This is bad."
"It is bad," Ash agreed. "But we'll find a way around it! Actually, scratch that - we'll find a way right through it! Floatzel, if you can hear me, use Bulk-up!"
The ice surrounding Floatzel began to tremble, just a bit.
"So, he wants Floatzel to flex his way out?" Dawn collected. "I like the idea, but will it work?"
"There's only one way to find out," Misty replied.
Tiny cracks began to appear in the ice, until they spread. Rumbling and chipping away, the ice finally chattered with a loud battle-cry.
"Float!" Floatzel screamed, smashing his way out of the ice, with a red aura surrounding him.
"Nice move." Brock smiled, feeling relief. "Now his attack and defense have been boosted, too!"
Another round of wooziness overcame Floatzel, making his head spin. He stumbled for balance, holding his stomach. He was feeling a little sick… poisoned status really sucked.
"Hang in there, Floatzel! You can do it!" Ash encouraged. "Use Brick Break!"
"Zel!" Floatzel shook his head, standing upright. Sprinting towards Cloyster, he readied an arm.
"Cloyster, use Blizzard!"
Another freezing wind struck Floatzel, sending a terrible chill up the right side of his body. Struggling to yank himself forward, he found his foot frozen to the ground. "Zel…!" He grunted, pulling his weight away from the trapped foot.
But he couldn't move his torso, either. Half of it, favoring his left side, was frozen solid.
"You've got to be kidding." Ash grinded his teeth, widening his stance. There had to be a way out of this mess! With every bit of progress they made, Lorelei was one step ahead!
"Your Floatzel's very well trained," Lorelei praised, "to last this long. But I wouldn't want to put it through any undue suffering."
The Sea Weasel writhed and struggled. But he was still numb. Cloyster's attacks were just too potent. But he couldn't give up now… Not after beating a Dragonite.
He definitely wouldn't surrender to save himself some trouble. "Float! Floatzel!" He barked at Lorelei, through bared teeth.
"Floatzel won't give up, until the very end," Ash argued. "That's how we battle!"
Seemingly understanding, the Elite gestured to Floatzel. "Spike Cannon."
Cloyster fired another round of spiked projectiles at Floatzel, ambushing the trapped pokemon.
"This could be it." Misty cupped her hand over her mouth.
"We're not done yet!" Ash pumped a fist. "Floatzel, Water Pulse!"
He growled, raising his free paw. A blue, bubbling orb of concentrated water was hoisted, and thrown violently against the shore. Crashing waves burst from the impact point, climbing to swallow every single prong of Spike Cannon.
"Awesome!" Dawn gushed, clasping her hands. "Way to go, Floatzel!"
"Zel!" Floatzel grinned, pumping a curled paw like a fist. Suddenly, he writhed, the free half of his body slumping over. Poisonous bubbles rose from his fur. His breaths were labored.
"If we're gonna win this, we've gotta end it now," Ash decided. "Free yourself with Brick Break!"
Lifting his free arm, Floatzel channeled what power he had into his paw, and smashed it into the ice. It crumbled, allowing the water-type to stumble and fall onto all fours.
"Sorry, but this round is over," Lorelei spoke. "Cloyster, use Blizzard."
Cloyster revealed himself, assaulting Floatzel with a brutal Blizzard attack.
"It's not over until we say it's over!" Ash shouted, his brows stitched into a fierce expression, teeth bared. He reared back a fist. "Let's show them, Floatzel! Aqua Jet!"
"Float!" Floatzel nodded back to his trainer. Still on all fours, he brought a roaring veil of water to life, propelling him forward into the oncoming storm.
Already, ice was beginning to coat his attack.
"I heard about your Ice Aqua Jet," Lorelei explained. "I can see why you brought Floatzel, of all pokemon, to this battle. But you were a little late."
"Whaddya mean?" Ash stood upright, raising a brow.
"You might've landed it, if you attacked first. But Blizzard is already covering Ice Aqua Jet! Floatzel will get weighed down, before it can reach Cloyster. Going with the flow is good, but sometimes, you just have to be quick to the trigger."
He gasped, looking up to his pokemon. Floatzel was almost at the height of his leap, halfway to reaching Cloyster. Ice had crept all the way up his trail of water, turning what was a launch point into a weight on Floatzel's jet.
Floatzel bore his teeth, struggling with an icy prism that was creeping around him. He was already losing altitude. Of all the rotten luck…
"No… no, it's not over yet!" Ash inhaled and shouted. "You can make it, Floatzel! All of the hard work we've put in… from our time in the mountains, to now… we've worked hard to grow strong, together! I know you're too tough to give up, now… I believe in you!"
From inside the freezing jet, Ash's words resonated. Floatzel's eyes gained a new fire, and his heart, with it. "Float…. Floatzel!" He cried, flexing every muscle that would still respond. A renewed, second wind of Aqua Jet burst through the ice, launching him at Cloyster with renewed vigor.
"That's the way!" Ash grinned, throwing a fist forward in excited vigor. "Go!"
"Pika-chu!" Pikachu shouted triumphantly, pointing forward with his trainer.
Floatzel finished his arc, crashing into his opponent.
"They did it!" Dawn clapped her hands together. "That'll teach them to underestimate Floatzel!"
"Way to go," Misty whooped.
"Mhm." Brock nodded his head, daring to show a smile. "Lorelei had a good guess, but she underestimated one thing - Ash's trust in his pokemon. Their trust forges an iron will, no matter the circumstance."
"You think so?"
The group gasped collectively, assessing the scene.
Floatzel was flailing - at least, half of him was. Most of his body was smashed between Cloyster's shells!
"Floatzel!" Ash gawked. "But, how!?"
"Cloyster's shell is known for its amazing defensive power," Lorelei explained. "But it's often forgotten just how deadly its shutting power can be. Clamp can be deadly, in the right hands."
"Floatzel... his arms are trapped. He can't use Brick Break! But there is one way out! Floatzel, inflate your flotation sac!"
A muffled cry answered Ash. The huge, yellow tube wrapping around Floatzel's neck and body began to grow, filling up with a great deal of helium, they bolstered, prying open the resistance of Cloyster's shell.
"That's it," Ash praised, "just a little more!"
Lorelei crossed her arms over her chest and smiled. "Sheer Cold."
A sudden, bright flash overwhelmed the arena. Ash guarded his vision with his arms, and each of them suffered an awful chill. He felt Pikachu hide behind the back of his head, clinging to his hat.
The ruthless burn of freezing temperatures began to subside, and he noted he could feel his arms and legs, again. He peeked from under his cap, just in time to watch Floatzel hit the ground, unconscious.
A whistling wind passed by the cavern, allowed to speak over the silence of all those present.
"F-Floatzel is unable to battle!" The referee raised a flag, his teeth still visibly chattering. "The winner of this round is Cloyster!"
"I…" Ash stammered, looking across the fray to his opponent. She was completely composed. As if she'd planned this, all along. "How'd you… how'd you pull that off?"
"It's pretty simple," Lorelei replied. "You've grown as a trainer, Ash - a great deal. You've clearly found your own way of battling - pushing on, with unshakeable confidence in your pokemon's power. It's a great strength, but it's also a glaring flaw."
Ash's lips twisted into a frown. That sentence festered in his stomach, like an unwelcome sickness. "And, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, your attitude has made that trait quite clear - if Floatzel's chances to press on were doubted, you'd try to prove us wrong, with everything the two of you had. With your eyes set on overcoming that obstacle, you'd never even considered this being a trap, did you?"
"..." Ash paused, thoroughly caught off-guard. He felt like a total moron. "I didn't."
"A simple Reflect shielded my Cloyster from your Floatzel's finishing move, and Clamp set the stage. Even as you managed to counter it, Floatzel had no way to defend himself from the ice type's sure-kill attack." Lorelei loosened her posture, adopting a gentler expression, as she gazed at the slushy waters.
"It's good to know your strengths, Ash. But, it's just as important to be in tune with your weaknesses."
"Unbelievable…" Dawn frowned, her brows knit down into a scowl. "She had him doing exactly what she wanted."
"That's the power of an Elite Four member," Brock lamented.
"Lorelei's really earned her title of Pokemon Master," Misty commented. "Ash better be more careful."
"Floatzel, return!" Ash recalled his unconscious pokemon, gazing down at the occupied pokeball. "You fought your very hardest… I'm proud of you." Looking upon the sphere with pride and love, he deposited it, and glared at his opponent.
"Not gonna lie," Ash chuckled," I'm feeling a little disarmed, right now. I was totally clueless to what you were up to."
"I hope you haven't lost your spirit, already?" Lorelei maintained her lazy gaze towards the sea. "I've had high hopes for this battle."
"Heheh, no way." Ash smirked, widening his stance. "The real battle's just getting started!"
'But I've got to be more careful. Against an opponent like this, I can't afford any more mistakes!'