Chapter 3: Frontier Chellenge #1, the Symbol of Knowledge!
With Misty now gone, the group was now back to what it was since Hoenn. They were trying to look around to where the Battle Factory was located. Max's PokeNav seemed to have gotten them lost on the way there.
"Oh man, look how late it's getting," May said seeing the sunset.
"It looks like we were going the right way." Max said looking at the PokeNav.
"Well I think we might have taken a wrong turn." Brock said looking at the map.
Ash sighed, "So much for trying to get to the Battle Factory today."
"Pikachu," Pikachu sighed.
"Ash I swear it's right around the corner!" Max assures.
"Yeah sure." Ash said not getting his hopes up just yet.
"Any luck on a Pokémon Center?" May asked hopefully.
"It should be down that path, we'll be there in no time." Max points.
However, it was soon nighttime and they were still lost.
"Be there in no time huh?" May glares.
"Right around the corner?" Ash glares.
Max shrinks and flinched at their blaming glances at him. "S-sorry. Don't blame me, blame technology."
"Great, now we have to figure out where we are." Ash groans.
"Guess we better make camp for tonight." Brock suggests.
"No use in fighting it." Ash said in defeat head down.
"Come on Ash, lighten up." May said trying to cheer him up. "Look at the sky. I bet that'll put a smile back on your face."
Looking up, Ash saw the full moon in the starry sky.
"Well it is pretty nice." Ash smiles when snow started to come down. "Uh am I seeing things?"
"Snow?" Max said as the others see it. "How can that be? It's supposed to be summer."
"Something's not right." May said when something flew over them.
"What was that!?" Ash said turning his head over.
"There it is again!" Brock said seeing it zip past the moon. It was leaving the same trail of snow.
"Do you think it's a Pokémon?" May asked.
"A flying Pokémon that leaves snow.." Max said thinking. "No, no it can't be.."
"What?" May asked him again.
"It's highly unlikely, but the only Pokémon I know that fits that kind of description is.."
Flying out of the trees, Ash gasps seeing an Articuno in front of them. "A-Articuno!" He shouts in shock.
"No way, that's what one looks like?!" May takes her PokéDex out.
"ARTICUNO, THE FREEZE POKÉMON. A LEGENDARY POKÉMON THAT LIVES DEEP WITHIN MOUNTAIN RANGES, AND IS SAID TO BE BE ABLE TO FLY BY GRACEFULLY WAVING ITS TAIL."
The group was just astonished to see one of the Legendary Bird Pokémon in an area like this. "I don't get it, what's an Articuno doing out in an area like this?" Brock asked.
"Well last time I checked, we're NOWHERE near snowy mountains." Max said confirming his words on the PokeNav. They then see in the sky, flying next to Articuno was a small malfunctioning biplane.
"Is that plane trying to catch Articuno?" Max asks.
"It doesn't look like it." Brock said when a cloud of smoke came from the plane blinding them. When the smoke cleared both Articuno and the plane were gone.
"Where'd they go?" May coughed, now their faces covered in smoke.
"That doesn't make any sense." Max said.
Ash was eager to see if they can find Articuno again, sad news they didn't find it..but good news is that during the hunt they found the Pokémon Center.
"I can't wait to sleep in a bed." May smiles.
"And I can't wait to see Nurse Joy." Opening the door, Brock goes right towards her.
"Oh welcome to the Pokemon Center." Nurse Joy smiles.
"Oh thank you, I'm Brock. And it could only be fate that we met on such a romantically moonlight night!" He said working his charm. "Listen I realise that I'm traveling with a bunch of kids," he motions to his friends. "But just say the word and I'll ditch them in a second." He said holding her hands, creeping her out. "The beauty of the moon, gazing on your beautiful face, it's heaven to me!"
However he was pulled away by the ear by Max, "If this is heaven, I wonder what the Underworld is like to you.."
"Nurse Joy do you by any chance know how we can get to the Battle Factory?" Ash asks walking over.
"I'd be happy to, but since it's so late, how about I give you rooms and I give you the directions tomorrow morning?" She suggests.
"Yes please." May nodded.
"Not a problem at all." Ash nodded.
After a nice relaxing sleep, everyone was pumped and full of energy for Ash's challenge.
"Alright, everyone. Here is where the Battle Factory is located," Nurse Joy said about to explain.
"Hold your Horsea's there Nurse Joy!" She stopped once hearing a familiar voice in hers and Ash's ears. "Why not leave this to me? I can take them." They see Scott at the steps, enjoying some coffee.
"Scott." Ash smiles.
"Hey Ash, good to see you again. I see you all like to get up and moving early." Scott said.
"Yep." Ash nods.
"So that's the Scott you told us about?" Max asked.
"Yep he's the guy who told me about the Battle Frontier in the first place." Ash said.
"So you all must be Ash's traveling buddies?" Scott guessed.
"Yeah I'm May."
"I'm her brother Max."
"And I'm Brock."
"And you know my name." Scott said.
"Well then Scott, I'll leave them in your hands." Nurse Joy said.
"Great, I'll take good care of them," he said. They trusted him for directions..Big mistake.
Once they gotten into his bright red sports car, it was all downhill from there! Scott was driving fast through a rocky ravine. Everyone was hanging on for deal life.
"Uh Scott, maybe this speed isn't the best for mountain roads." Ash gulps.
"What do you mean? I'm slowing down for you guys." Scott said.
"Slow?! We're driving on a mountainside!" May screamed. Which they were indeed.
"Look out for the trees!" Max screams as they drove right into the forest making them scream louder until they reached a clearing.
"Okay here we are." Scott smiles when he noticed everyone groaning. "Whoa you guys okay?"
"I think I'm gonna puke.." Brock was ocer the edge of the car.
"Oh I get it, you guys do so much walking you're not used to driving." Scott assumes.
"Not quite, but yeah let's go with that.." Ash cringed trying to sit up before looking at their location. A large gray factory was in front of them. This was the Battle Factory.
"You ready Pikachu?" Ash asks.
"Pika." Pikachu nods when they suddenly hear a loud noise.
"What's that sound?" May asked.
"I don't know, but it's getting closer.." Max feared. Scott's eyes widened.
"Oh no, not again! Get out of the way kids!" He warned.
"Huh?" Suddenly bursting through the door was a giant steam tank vehicle.
"What is that?!" May panics.
"Look out!" Scott said as they jump to avoid being run over.
"HELP! I'VE LOST CONTROL!" They hear a voice inside the vehicle.
"Someone's inside there!" Ash gasped.
"Quick use your Pokémon and stop that thing!" Scott ordered them.
"Corphish I choose you!"
"Go Combusken!"
"Mudkip I choose you!"
Ash, May and Brock thrown their Pokeballs releasing their Pokemon.
"Corphish, use Bubble Beam!"
"Combusken, use Fire Spin!"
"Mudkip, use Water Gun!" All of their trainers commanded. The three Pokémon fired attacks at the machine.
Upon contact a huge cloud of smoke appeared causing everyone to gulp until it clears seeing the machine came to a stop.
"We did it." Everyone smiles as a man with brown hair, a red hat and a white coat climbed out.
"Stupid piece of junk never listens." He groans.
"You alright Noland?" Scott came over. "Surprised you didn't throw in the towel."
"Nope, this version is the best one yet." Noland smiles.
"What exactly is this thing?" Ash asks.
"This little baby is the Noland J9!" Noland said getting on the ground. "It's a steam powered dream machine that I made myself. Pretty cool huh?"
"Well it's something alright." May said.
"Oh yeah." Max agrees.
"Boss!" A boy wearing a jumpsuit came running over. "Don't tell me you were playing again."
"Playing? I was fixing this, big difference." Noland said.
"Fixing huh? Then explain those." He said pointing to all the damages.
"It..still has some minor tinkering..," Noland cringed covering his face. "Everyone, this is Sergio my smart, yet cheeky apprentice."
"And why don't you tell them who you are?" Scott asked.
"Never been one for formal introductions, but hey you saved my life so maybe this once." Noland said. "I'm Noland, the Factory Head in charge here."
"Factory Head?" Ash asked.
"That means, he's the Frontier Brain of the Battle Factory," Scott explains, surprising him.
"Well then Noland my name's Ash and I'm here to challenge you." Ash declares.
"Perfect, well then Ash come with me and you can take your pick." Noland said confusing him.
"Pick what?" Ash asks.
"The Pokémon you get to battle against of course." Noland said gesturing for them all to follow him.
Sergio whistled calling for something. And when he did a herd of powerful looking Pokémon came charging up towards them.
The following were Venusaur, Machamp, Rhyhorn, Breloom, Rhydon, Lairon, Pinsir, Camerupt, Sandslash, Golduck, Manetric, and Trapinch.
"Whoa all these Pokémon are yours?" Ash asks amazed.
"The more Pokemon you have the more battles you can have." Noland said.
"Makes sense." Ash said.
"So Ash pick any two Pokemon you want to battle." Noland said.
"Only 2?" Ash asked looking at them all. Should he pit off and go head to head with Breloom and Machamp? Or better yet go big or go home against Camerupt and Venusaur? "Man, I can't choose," he sighed. "All of them are so good to fight."
"Take your time, Ash. No need to rush into this." Noland said.
Sergio calls out that it's Pokéblock time, and gotten out bowls of food for all of the Pokémon. That's when May's Munchlax also comes out of its Poké Ball to join them in the meal.
"Hey Munchlax, that's not yours!" May scolded her Pokémon.
"Don't worry, I got more for everyone," Sergio reassures. Grabbing a bowl of food, Munchlax ran towards the hanger.
"Munchlax get back here!" May said as she and Max ran after him.
They saw Munchlax had ran into some kind of building near the Factory. Entering, the place was pitch dark. "Munchlax! Where are you?!" Max shouted.
"Munch." Looking to a corner they see Munchlax eating all the food.
"What did you thought all the Pokémon were gonna chase you?" May asks when Max notices something.
"May look!" Max points and they saw the plane from last night. "That's the plane we saw."
"So I guess it must belong to Noland," May figured, but then they felt a familiar wind of snow pass by them.
"Is Munchlax using an Ice attack?" May asks confused.
"It's not Blizzard or Icy Wind." Max said looking to Munchlax when they look to see Articuno fly out from behind and out the front.
"No way! Is that what I think it is?!" Brock gasps.
"Articuno!" Ash gasps when Noland sees May and Max run out.
"Oh man you guys must've startled it." Noland said shocking them.
"W-what? You mean to tell me that Articuno is yours?!" Ash exclaimed.
"Not exactly. Articuno is still wild, we're just good friends." Noland said walking over. "Hey Articuno come on down! They're friendly!" Almost instantly, Articuno flew down next to him.
"Wild, but it'll listen to your commands?" Max came over. "That's impossible."
"Not it isn't. We met when I was test flying my plane I saw Articuno was injuried from its travels. I managed to land it onto my plane and then I got it patched up. After that we became really good friends and Articuno likes to stop by everyone now and again." Nolan explains.
"Well I'll be Noland. That's some secret." Scott said impressed.
"Nolan can you and Articuno give me a ride?" Max asks eagerly.
"I don't see why not. Ash do you mind?" Nolan asks.
"Go for it, it'll give me some time to think it over." Ash said.
Max invites Pikachu along, and they take to the air. Before long, Noland and Articuno are competing at fancy flying.
"Max must be having the best time up there." May said.
"THIS IS WORSE THAN SCOTT'S DRIVING!" Max screams.
"PIKA!" Pikachu screams.
"Get ready guys it's about to get fast!" Noland said racing Articuno causing them to scream louder.
"That Articuno sure is swell," Brock whistled at how fast it was going.
"Hey where's Ash?" Scott asks as they looked around to see him running over.
"Hey guys." Ash said.
"Where were you?" May asks.
"I had to make a phone call." Ash said.
"Did you make a desicion yet?" She asked hoping to know who he picked.
"Yep I know which two I want to battle." Ash nods when Scott sees something in the sky.
"Hey what's that?" Scott asks. From the sky came a different kind of plane that came in fast and lands right in front of all the Pokémon.
"What kind of plane is that?" Ash asks when three not so friendly faces emerge.
(Cue Team Rocket Motto)
"Hey who are those weirdos?" Noland asked seeing them from above.
"Team Rocket, a bunch of crooks," Max answered.
"Articuno let's head back." Noland said as Articuno followed him.
"We heard the Battle Factory lets you pick the Pokemon you want so we'll be taking the whole special." James declares.
"The only thing you're getting is blasted off," Ash said annoyed throwing out Pidgeot.
"No you don't!" Before the Pokeball opened a robot hand grabbed it and closed it shut.
"What the?!" Ash exclaimed.
"You can't stop us if you can't even get your Pokemon out!" James said.
Ash growls. "Then how about one that doesn't need to be thrown! Geodude, come on out!" Brock said opening the ball with his hands.
"Geo!" Geodude roars flying out.
"Mega Punch!" Charging in Geodude punches the plane dead center making a huge dent in the middle.
"Now use Rollout on the wings!" Brock said.
Spinning quickly Geodude flies towards the wings so they couldn't escape.
"Meowth pull up!" Jessie said.
"Copy 'dat!" Meowth presses a button as they took off in the air before Geodude could hit them. Flying over Geodude, they didn't see Noland's plane fly in and ram into them sending them crashing to the ground.
And Ash's Pokéball fell out and lands right back into Ash's hands.
"Nice one Nolan." Max smiles.
"Thanks makes though I gotta admit that machine is pretty cool." Nolan said impressed.
"People like them don't deserve compliments.." Max sweatdropped.
"Maybe so. Articuno, get these guys out of here!" Noland shouts as Articuno flies in and grabs the Rocket's robot by its talon into the sky.
"Look at the strength of that Articuno." Brock gasps.
"That machine must weigh a ton." May gasps.
Articuno then swung the plane in the air. "Now finish it up by using Ice Beam!" Articuno fired an icy blast and destroys the robot, sending Team Rocket packing.
"Wow Legendary Pokemon are amazing." May said as Ash smiled in awe.
That night all of them were sitting down having some drinks.
"So Ash have you decided which Pokemon you want to battle?" Nolan asks.
"Yep I know just the ones." Ash nods. "My first pick is Manectric." Ash points.
"Mane?" Manetric peaked its head up with interest.
"Alright that's one, and the other?" Noland asked.
"The 2nd Pokémon I choose to face is..." Ash points to Articuno.
"You want to battle Articuno?" Brock gasps.
"You bet I do." Ash grins.
"What do you say?" Nolan asks looking to Articuno.
"Ar." Articuno nods fine with it.
"So Ash what Pokemon are you gonna use to battle us?" Noland asks.
"Easy, to kick this off I'm using Pikachu." Ash said looking at his partner. "And that one up there." Ash hints to the sky.
Everyone looked up in the sky to see a large and winged silhouetted up against the moon. Further looking it was a draconic Pokémon with orange and cream skin, sharp eyes, wings with a blue underside and a long tail flame.
"Charizard!" Brock gasped with a smile. "So that's what that phone call was about!" Ash confirmed with a nod.
"Yup, I called Liza from the Charicific Valley and told her to send Charizard over here."
The Fire/Flying type landed right in front of them and gave a greeting roar. Ash pets his neck. "Hey buddy it's great to see you again." He smiled as Pikachu gotten on his neck. "Pikachu!"
"Pikachu and Charizard vs Manectric and Articuno." May said blown away.
"I am looking forward to this battle tomorrow. Two teams of incredibly powerful Pokémon." Scott said.
"Me too. This is what it's all about." Nolan grins as Manectric walked to his side.
As both teams of electric and flying types stared each other down Ash prepares for his first battle in the Battle Frontier.
As the sun was rising in the air we find Ash training with Charizard and Pikachu for his upcoming battle with Nolan.
In the air Ash and Pikachu were riding on Charizard as they did a series of impressive aerial moves.
"You've been training a lot since the Johto League, haven't you?" Ash asks impressed.
Charizard gave him grin that said, "You already know".
"Well blow me away!" Ash said. "Show me what you got, old and new!" Grinning Charizard kicked it off with a powerful Flamethrower attack.
Down below May, Max and Brock were watching them train.
"Wow, that looks so powerful." Max said in awe.
"Yeah, I wonder why Ash didn't bring Charizard around more often," May said.
"That was a long time ago," Brock said remembering the past. "Ash thought all Charizard was to win battles was brute strength, but that all changed once they saw how weak Charizard was to the other wild Charizard in the Charicific Valley."
"That bad?" May asks.
"Ash realized Charizard would never get as strong as them if he continued to travel with him so he chose to leave him with Liza so he could stay and train among the Charizard there. He didn't release Charizard but having to say goodbye was just as painful" Brock explains.
The siblings looked astonished at the story.
"It seems like Ash is always having to make hard choices." Max said.
"Yeah I don't know if I could make the same ones." May said.
"Hey the road of a trainer always have struggles like that." Brock said watching them. "And Ash is no exception."
With a grunt, Charizard's body started to glow in a hue of red, surprising Ash. "Charizard?" He sees him do some aerial spins. "What's this?" Ash takes his PokéDex out.
"DRAGON DANCE. THE USER DANCES AROUND AND BECOMES SURROUNDED IN A GLOWING AURA, ENHANCING ITS PHYSICAL ABILITIES."
"No way, you learned Dragon Dance?" Ash asked amazed, getting a nod from Charizard. "Well let's see how strong it is." He points to some clouds. "Use Dragon Breath!" Charizard releases light blue beam from its mouth, aiming right through the clouds.
"Now this is a move that can really help." Ash grins liking his chances more and more.
Once they were finished warming up, Sergio met up with them and took them to the Battle Factory's Arena.
"The construction and lighting around this arena enable all sorts of battles to happen here." Scott explains.
"So Ash what do you think of my arena?" Nolan asks walking out on the opposite side.
"I love it, and I'm ready to throw down," Ash said pumped.
"Manectric, you're up first!" Noland said calling out his electric type.
"Manec!" Manectric said with sparks coming out.
"Pikachu I'm starting this off with you." Ash said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said jumping onto the arena floor with sparks coming out.
"This Frontier Battle between Factory Head Noland and the Challenger Ash of Pallet Town will now begin! This will be a 2-on-2 battle knockout match!" Sergio announced being the referee for this battle. "Let the Battle begin!"
"Pikachu Thunderbolt!" Ash said.
"Manectric Discharge!" Nolan said.
Lighting up both electric types release their electric attacks which upon contact explode in a cloud of smoke.
"Quick Attack!" Pikachu flies in with a white streak behind him.
"Dodge it and hit Pikachu with Secret Power!" Noland said.
Leaping up at the last second, Manectric glows as white orbs flew towards Pikachu.
"Iron Tail!" Cutting them in half, Pikachu leaps in and whacks Manectric back.
"Now Pikachu use Quick Attack!" Ash said as Pikachu charged in on the attack.
"Double Team!'" Noland said. Pikachu sadly ran into only a copy of Manectric.
"Oh no." Ash gasps.
"Flamethrower!" Nolan said as Manectric breathes a stream of flames knocking Pikachu to the ground.
"Pika!" Pikachu cringed falling over.
"I didn't know Manectric could learn that move." May gasps.
"It's not a legendary Pokemon but Nolan clearly trained all his Pokemon to be top notch." Brock said.
"Oh yeah, when you're in Battle Frontier battles, things are blown in proportion," Scott says.
"Flamethrower one more time!" Nolan said as Manectric breathes fire forcing Pikachu to jump over it.
"Why did Ash choose Pikachu for this? He should have used Phanpy to battle Manectric. A ground type would totally have had the advantage over Manectric." Max asks.
"In Ash's POV, he would probably answer with, 'Where's the fun in that?'," Brock said.
"What?" Max asks confused.
"I think I get it. Ash doesn't want to start this with an easy win. He wants to test all of his Pokemon and push them to their best. I can respect that." Scott said.
"Manectric, Discharge!" Noland said.
"Dodge it and use Quick Attack!" Dashing in quickly Pikachu dodges the attack and rams into Manectric.
"Keep it up with Iron Tail!" Pikachu slams his metallic tail onto Manectric.
"Bite!" With glowing fangs, Manectric bites down on Pikachu's tail trapping it in his teeth.
Pikachu cried in pain as Manectric swishes him around. "Pikachu use Thunder!"
Sparking up Pikachu released a powerful electric attack before bringing it down on him and Manectric causing Manectric to scream in pain.
Its fangs dropped Pikachu's tail, freeing him. Leaping back, Pikachu charges in and rams into Manectric knocking it to the ground.
"Manectric." Nolan gasps as Manectric struggles to get up.
Ash smiles, "Alright, he's paralyzed!"
"That extremely close contact Thunder really did the job." Brock smiles.
"Come on Ash! Now's your chance!" May cheers.
"Quick Attack!" Pikachu dashed in to end it.
"Manectric Flamethrower!" Manectric tried to release the fire attack but the paralysis kicked in allowing Pikachu to ram into him knocking Manectric to the ground with swirly eyes.
"Manectric is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!" Sergio declares.
"Yes! Way to go Piakchu!" Ash smiled. The first victory was theirs
"Pikachu." Pikachu smiles.
"That was incredible." Max smiles.
"And now Ash has Pikachu and Charizard while Noland only has Articuno left." May said.
Noland returns Manectric. "You did a good job. 'Kay Articuno! You're up!" Hearing his response, Articuno came flying in onto the field.
"Can you keep going Pikachu?" Ash asks.
"Pika." Pikachu nods.
"Electric attacks are powerful against Articuno but I hope you don't think type advantage will be enough to win." Noland said.
"No way, I went into this knowing this would be determined by our abilities." Ash said when Sergio opens up the top allowing them to see the sky.
"That roof opens?" May gasps surprised.
"That was my idea. By opening the ceiling Flying types like Articuno and Charizard can use their full potential." Scott explains.
"Let the next match begin!" Sergio says.
"Articuno, Ice Beam!" Noland said, causing Articuno to fire an icy blast towards the battlefield.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack and dodge it!" Ash said. Pikachu sped out of the way.
"Don't let up, follow that Pikachu!" Articuno still kept up Ice Beam.
"Keep running buddy!" Ash said.
As Pikachu raced around the arena, Articuno followed him firing Ice Beam along the way. Making the arena floor covered in ice in the processs.
Gasping, Ash looks to see Pikachu had no solid ground to run on anymore.
"Nowhere to run, Articuno use Ancient Power!" With a squawk, Articuno moves its arms up in the air making a large cluster of rocks appear from thin air and sends them all flying into Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack to climb those and hit Articuno with Thunderbolt!" Ash said. Pikachu, with sharpened eyes, quickly climbed the rocky staircase with a white line behind him with very quick ease and finds himself in front of Articuno. "Pika-CHU!" Pikachu released electricity onto Articuno from a close range.
"Articuno Steel Wing!" When Pikachu lands on the ground Articuno slams him with glowing wings.
"What? But how is it still going after that Thunderbolt?" Max asks.
"It is a Legendary Pokemon after all." Scott said.
Pikachu was knocked backwards with harsh bruises. "Come on Pikachu, hang in there." Ash said.
"Pika.." The mouse growled standing back up.
"Articuno use Mist!" Nolan said as Artiucno breathed mist around the arena blinding Pikachu to his surroundings.
"Pika?" Pikachu couldn't see anything. Suddenly Articuno swooped in and smashes into him with another Steel Wing. "Pika!"
"Mist is usually used to defend or escape. I've never seen it used like that." Brock said.
"Now hit Pikachu with your Ice Beam!" Noland said.
Firing Ice Beam through the Mist it blasts Pikachu sending him flying backwards.
"Pikachu!" Ash gasped, seeing Pikachu fell to the ground in front of him, looking defeated.
"Pikachu is unable to battle, Articuno wins!" Sergio announced.
"That Articuno wiped the floor with Pikachu in no time." May gasps.
Walking out Ash picks up Pikachu and brings him over to them.
"You guys mind holding onto Pikachu for me?" Ash asks.
"I'll take care of him." Brock nodded holding him.
"Wow Nolan, you really know how to battle with Articuno despite not being its trainer." Ash said.
"Well that's what teamwork really means to us," Noland said proudly as Articuno agreed.
"Well let me show you what teamwork means to us. I choose you, Charizard!" Ash said calling out his fire type.
Charizard roared with his tail flame igniting.
"Now things are getting interesting." Scott smiles.
"Articuno Ice Beam!"
"Charizard, Flamethrower!" Charizard meets Ice Beam head on overpowering it and nailing a direct hit on Articuno.
A direct and super effective hit. "Now fly in with Dragon Breath!" Ash said.
"Dodge and Steel Wing!" Noland said as Articuno recovered and dodges the attack and flies above Charizard and smacks into him with glowing metallic wings.
"Don't let them get away! Dragon Dance and follow them!" Ash said as Charizard glowed red before gaining on Articuno.
"Use Mist!" Turning its head around, Articuno released a think white smoke to block Charizard's vision.
"Not this again! Charizard blow it away with your wings!" Ash said. Charizard flapped his wings, sending a huge wind of gust to blow away the Mist and see Articuno. "Now hit him with Dragon Breath!" Charizard aimed and fired the blue beam of light right into Articuno's back.
As Articuno plummets to the ground, Charizard flies in to nail one more strike but at the last second Articuno recovers and flies out of the way.
"Good, now Ancient Power!" Noland said as Articuno summoned rocks to plummet towards Charizard.
"Dodge it!" Ash said as Charizard flew out of the way avoiding the rocks as they crashed down on the icy arena below.
Noland shouted, "Ok Articuno, let's give them a real flight show!" Articuno cried out as it flew right towards Charizard's way.
"Charizard! Flamethrower!" Ash said.
"Spin and use Ice Beam!" Articuno flies around Flamethrower while spinning and used Ice Beam, which struck Charizard. "And Steel Wing!" Surprised by being struck by Ice Beam, Charizard didn't react in time to get nailed in the chest with Steel Wing.
Roaring in pain, Charizard crashes into the wall.
"Charizard Dragon Dance and Flamethrower!" Glowing bright red Charizard breathes fire at Articuno but it dodged. "Keep going!" Ash said as Charizard chased after it.
"Even with Dragon Dance, Charizard is still having trouble." Max said.
"What is Ash up to?" May asks noticing the look on his face.
"Looks like someone's got a plan." Scott said interested.
"Articuno Ice Beam!" Noland said as Articuno blasts Charizard in the back freezing part of his wing.
Charizard winced, having his flight cut in half.
"Now fly up and use Ice Beam!" Nolan said as Articuno took off into the air and fired Ice beam.
"Dragon Dance and Flamethrower!" Ash said as Charizard glowed red melting the ice off allowing him to shoot up and blast Articuno with Flamethrower.
Articuno cried out, feeling the super effective pain. "Now ram'im!" Ash said.
"Ancient Power!" Hurling the boulders down they crash down on Charizard making him dropdown to near the bottom.
"Charizard one more Dragon Dance!" Ash said as Charizard glowed.
"Sorry Ash but I'm not giving you another chance! Articuno Steel Wing!" Noland said as Articuno dives down with glowing wings.
"Now! Grab it!" Ash yells as Charizard takes the attack and grabs Articuno by the wings surprising everyone.
"Now, finish things with a Seismic Toss!" Ash said going for Charizard's finishing signature attack. Charizard roared before spinning in a circle with having Articuno in his claws as they were spiraling down towards the rocky and icy arena floor.
As the smoke cleared everyone was on the edge of their seats when they see Charizard on his knees while Articuno was still standing.
Ash, along with his friends looked severely shocked that even after all those attacks, it still wasn't enough to land a fatal scratch on a legendary like Articuno. 'No way? Is there any other way to bring Articuno down?' Ash thought. Was it a mistake to try and challenge a Pokémon that powerful?
Suddenly Articuno fell to the ground with swirly eyes as Charizard climbed up and stood tall.
"Articuno is unable to battle! Charizard wins! The Winner of the battle is Ash Ketchum!" Sergio declares.
Ash blinked hearing he was the victor before smiling. "W-we did it! Charizard you won!"
Charizard roared in victory, releasing a Flamethrower in the air.
"I can't believe it!" Max was going ballistic. "He actually beat a legendary!"
"I get it, Ash wasn't using all those Dragon Dances for his fire attacks, he was biding his time so he could be ready for that final Seismic Toss." Brock smiles.
"I never noticed that, wow he completely had me fooled." May said amazed and blown away.
'I'm impressed. He might have what it takes to conquer the Battle Frontier.' Scott smiles.
"You were amazing Charizard. You hung in there and together, we beat a Legendary Pokemon." Ash smiles as Charizard roars in victory.
"Articuno that was awesome. Nothing to be ashamed about losing this round," Noland pets Articuno. The ice bird squawk with a smile. "And Ash, that was one doozy of a match. I thought I had it until you swooped the victory right before I could take it."
"Well Nolan when I saw Articuno take Pikachu's Thunderbolt I knew I would have to have Charizard really power up if I wanted to have any chance of winning." Ash said.
"I believe you have something for him, Sergio?" Noland asks looking to him.
"I do sir." Sergio said coming out with a case and inside it was a Frontier Symbol.
"This is the Knowledge Symbol, and it is proof of your victory here at the Battle Factory. Congratulations." Noland said handing it to Ash.
"Wow so this is what they look like." Ash said eyeing it.
"And take this with you Ash." Noland hands him a blue item. "This is the Frontier Pass. It'll hold all of your Frontier Symbols that you've collected."
"Thanks Noland." Ash smiles putting the first symbol inside.
As the sun was setting everyone watched as Articuno took off.
"So long Articuno! See you soon!" Noland said waving goodbye.
Ash looks to Charizard. "I guess it's time for you to go too?"
Roaring in agreement, Charizard gives Ash and Pikachu a hug goodbye. "It was great battling with you again. Keep getting stronger Big Guy." Ash said rubbing his head. "And we're gonna do the same."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said in agreement.
"So Ash, for your next challenge I was thinking you should try the Battle Arena." Scott suggests.
"Where's that one?" Ash asks as Max looks it up.
"Found it, it's not too far from here." Max said.
"Then we'll go there for Symbol number 2." Ash said.
"That's the spirit Ash. If you battle like you did today you'll do just fine." Noland said.
"I will." Ash nods as Charizard roars and flies back to the Charicific Valley.
They all waved Charizard goodbye and said goodbye to Noland and head out back on their way. Ash looked to his Knowledge Symbol.
"One down, six to go." Ash smiles seeing he was off to a great start.
Party Data:
Ash (On hand): Pikachu, Cyndaquil, Phanpy, Corphish and Pidgeot
At Oak's Lab: Bulbasaur, Kingler, Muk, Tauros (x30), Snorlax, Heracross, Bayleef, Totodile, Noctowl, Swellow, Grovyle, Torkoal, Glalie
May (On hand): Combusken, Munchlax, Squirtle
At Petalburg Gym: Beautifly, Skitty
At Oak's Lab: Bulbasaur
Brock (On hand): Forretress, Mudkip, Geodude
At Pewter Gym: Onix, Crobat, Forretress, Ludicolo
Sorry it took so long to get the next chapter out. I'll try not to make the next update not long. But first two announcements
1. DAWN IS COMING BACK TO JOURNEYS! I hope her comeback will be something really looking for.
2. RIP Philece Sampler, the Dub VA of Mimi and Cody in Digimon. I'll miss you so much. Thanks for the memories.