"The Semifinal battle between Ash and Alain will now begin! You may use six Pokemon each! Pokemon may be substituted freely! As soon as one party's Pokemon are all unable to battle, the battle is over! Also, once once three of either party's Pokemon are unable to battle, there will be an interval so we can change the battlefield! Both of you, please call out your Pokemon!"
"Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash thrust out his hand, Pikachu leaping off of it and onto the battlefield, his cheeks sparking.
"Come out, Tyranitar!" Alain threw the pokeball into the air, the huge Rock/Dark type crashing onto the water and rock field. A huge sandstorm spun into existence around him, engulfing the battlefield.
Ash closed one eye, wincing. "This needs to be taken care of first."
"Now then, begin the battle!"
"Let's go, Alain," Ash grinned, determined to win.
"Come at us," Alain grinned back, already feeling the energy Ash seemed to radiate. "Dark Pulse!"
Tyranitar swung his head forwards, blasting a dark beam of energy towards Pikachu.
"Dodge, Pikachu!" Ash shouted and Pikachu leaped into the air. "Iron Tail on the water!"
Pikachu's tail glowed and he swung down, crashing it into the stream, splashing up a ton of water. It rained back down onto the field, erasing the sandstorm.
"Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaaachuuuu!" Pikachu blasted Tyranitar with electricity, who had been doused with the water. He roared in pain as Alain nodded appreciatively.
"Not bad," he said.
"That's not all we got!" Ash swung a fist. "Electro Ball!"
"Stone Edge!" Alain yelled.
Tyranitar slammed a fist into the earth, huge stones jutting out of the ground, blocking the Electro Ball.
"Swing your tail!" Alain ordered and Tyranitar whirled around, slamming his tail into the rocks. The shattered pieces flew towards Pikachu, but he leaped back in the air, deflecting them all back at the Rock type with Iron Tail.
"Go for where he'll land!" Alain thrust out his hand. "Crunch!"
Tyranitar ran forwards, lunging towards where Pikachu was about to land back on the ground.
"Iron Tail!" Ash shouted and Pikachu swung his tail, Tyranitar catching it in his mouth. He spun his body around swinging Pikachu around before flinging him into the air.
"Now!" Ash pumped his fist. "Electro Ball!"
Pikachu spun midair, using the momentum from when Tyranitar threw him to charge his attack. "Pika-chabang!" The ball of electricity crashed into the Rock type, an explosion triggering. When the dust cleared, Tyranitar lay on his back, fainted.
"Tyranitar is unable to battle, which means Pikachu wins!"
"An astonishing match! A Pikachu managed to triumph over a Tyranitar!"
"That's insane," Robert breathed next to me. "How quick did Pikachu, an Electric type, just take down a Rock type!? That's just-"
"Ash," I leaned forwards in my seat. "That's just Ash. His Pikachu is on a whole other level compared to many Pokemon."
"But can he still win?" Alex brought up that question. "I mean, Alain has so far dominated the league with only two Pokemon."
"He can," Serena said firmly. "I know he can. Ash can win."
Back on the battlefield, Ash knelt as Pikachu ran back to him. "Good job, Pikachu. Take a rest." He stood back up, throwing out his second Pokemon. "Noivern, I choose you!"
Alain smiled as he held up a pokeball. "This is the sensation I've been waiting for. Go, Weavile!"
"Boomburst, let's go!" Ash shouted and Noivern soared into the sky, blasting sonic waves down at Weavile from his ears. At Alain's command, Weavile threw up a barrier, blocking the attack.
"That's our opening," Ash called to his Pokemon. "Sonic Attack!"
"Weavile, use Ice Beam to counter it!" Alain shouted.
Weavile leaped onto the rocky hill, blasting the Sonic Attack with Ice Beam, then aiming the Ice attack towards Noivern. The Dragon type flew upwards, avoiding the Ice Beam.
"Boomburst again!" Ash shouted and Noivern blasted the hill, but when the dust cleared, there were a dozen Weaviles.
"Use your sonic waves to find the real one!" Ash commanded and Noivern closed his eyes before soaring to the one nearest to the top, huge draconic claws forming on both wings.
"Night Slash!" Alain yelled and Weavile lunged to meet Noivern, twisting her body to avoid the Dragon Claws and sliced along his left wing. "Now Ice Beam!"
"Dodge!" Ash shouted quickly, but Noivern barely had time to turn his body to the right before part of his left wing was encased in ice. He cried out and crashed down to the ground in a plume of dust. He lifted himself up, trying to get back into the air, but flinched when his left wing wouldn't work properly.
"Night Slash!" Alain thrust out his hand towards the Dragon type. A long dark blade formed in Weavile's hand as she ran towards Noivern.
"Hit her with Boomburst!" Ash shouted, but Weavile managed to avoid most of the attack, continuing on her direct path to Noivern, leaping over the river in the middle of the battlefield.
"Acrobatics!" Ash roared and Noivern twisted his body, avoiding the downwards slash from Weavile, slamming his tail into her middle. She was flung backwards into the river and Noivern ran forwards, abandoning any attempts to fly, huge claws appearing on both wings. Weavile burst from the river, blasting the Dragon type head-on with an Ice Beam, sending him sprawling backwards. When he didn't get back up, Ash tilted his hat a little as Hawlucha appeared out of his pokeball on his own. The second Flying type ran up to his friend, eyes narrowing as Ash returned Noivern. Hawlucha tightened both fists as he turned to face Weavile, who stood dripping on his side of the river.
"Let's make sure Noivern didn't go down for nothing, Hawlucha," Ash said with confident determination. "Karate Chop!"
As Hawlucha lunged towards his opponent, both his arms began to glow. He began chopping at Weavile, who was just barely managing to dodge each strike. As both Pokemon splashed into the river, Alain shouted, "Ice Beam on the water!"
The river froze instantly and Hawlucha nearly slipped on the ice before righting himself. Weavile sprung at him, slashing him with her blade two times. The third slash made him fly backwards, crashing into a rock. Weavile smirked, then her eyes widened as Hawlucha was revealed to still be standing, body now warmed up for the fight ahead of him.
"Hawlucha gets pumped when he takes hits from his opponents," Ash grinned, straightening his hat as he met Alain's gaze. "Now it's our turn to take the offensive!"
"Bring it on," Alain swung his arm. "Night Slash!"
Weavile sprung at Hawlucha again, aiming for a strike from above.
"Grab her!" Ash shouted and Hawlucha leaped into the air, twisting his legs around her neck. He swung her downwards and spread his wings. "Flying Press!" He slammed his chest into Weavile, pressing her into the ground. When he got back up, Weavile had fainted.
"Weavile is unable to battle, which means Hawlucha wins!"
"Haw-lucha!" Hawlucha cried, flexing his muscles to the roaring crowd.
"Hawlucha has avenged his fallen comrade by taking out Alain's second Pokemon! What will he do now!?"
Alain tucked Weavile's pokeball away before picking out his next one. Before he threw it, he smiled. "You make me forget time. I want to enjoy this without having to think of anything else, for just a little bit longer." He tossed the ball up into the air, releasing a Flying type. "Go, Unfezant!"
...
Holding the small view screen in both hands, a young girl with spiky maroon hair poking out from beneath her green hat gazed at it with a expression of worry. A small smile appeared on her face as she saw Alain smile without a care in the world, fully immersed in his Semifinal battle.
...
"Sky Attack!"
Unfezant slammed himself into Hawlucha's middle, sending the Fighting type skidding backwards. He tried to get back up, but fainted from the effort.
"Hawlucha is unable to battle, which means Unfezant wins!"
"A battle between two Flying types ends in Unfezant's victory! But what's this!? Ash sends out another Flying type to have an aerial battle!?"
"You bet I am!" Ash thrust out his hand. "Into the sky, Talonflame! Flame Charge!"
Talonflame spread his wings wide, blasting into the air as fire engulfed him.
"After him!" Alain commanded. "Sky Attack!"
Unfezant flew after Talonflame, slowly catching up to him as they soared straight up and out of the stadium. They drew closer and closer before colliding with a mid-air explosion. Both appeared out of the smoke, diving back towards the stadium on opposite sides.
"Steel Wing!" Both Ash and Alain shouted and both Flying types changed course, slicing their wings against one another as they flew past.
"Use Flame Charge to go faster!" Ash commanded.
"Sky Attack!" Alain yelled.
Flames burst around Talonflame as he zoomed around the stadium, Unfezant close behind, bathed in golden light that streamed behind him. Talonflame banked left, gaining speed, but Unfezant seemed to be inching closer and closer.
"Wings up!" Ash shouted and Talonflame threw up his wings, the wind pushing him back behind Unfezant. "Go for him!" Talonflame resumed his fiery flight instantly, slamming into Unfezant's back before the Flying type could do anything. An explosion ripped the air just above the stadium and Unfezant fell through the smoke, heading straight for the ground.
"Use Air Slash to get back into the air!" Alain ordered and Unfezant threw razor sharp blades made of air towards the ground, the force from it enough to get Unfezant back to soaring.
"Let's finish him!" Ash roared. "Brave Bird!"
Talonflame emerged from the explosion, a blue flare erupting around him as he zoomed towards his opponent.
"Sky Attack!" Alain shouted and Unfezant blasted upwards, Talonflame going into a dive before pulling up after him. Unfezant switched course, diving towards his opponent. They collided with another large explosion, the wind rushing against the watching crowd. Both Pokemon fell from the smoke, crashing to the ground, fainted.
"Both Pokemon are unable to battle!"
"A splendid aerial battle ends with both Pokemon taking each other out! Now it's down to three Pokemon each, which means that the field will be changed! Who will prevail in the second half of this Semifinal battle!?"
...
"You're smiling," the girl smiled happily as she stared down at the screen. "I've never seen you like that before." She closed her eyes, praying from her heart. "Please, Alain. Win."
...
"The field for the second half of the Kalos League Semifinal battle is the Meadow Field! How will this field change influence the fight!?"
The judge stepped forwards, raising his arms. "Both of you, please call out your Pokemon!"
"Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash shouted, Pikachu leaping over his trainer to land on the grassy battlefield.
"Come out, Metagross!" Alain sent out the large Steel type.
"Begin the battle!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted and Pikachu leaped into the air, blasting an arc of electricity towards Metagross.
"Agility!" Alain yelled and Metagross disappeared reappearing behind Pikachu as the Electric type landed. As Pikachu turned, Metagross zoomed away again, appearing on different sides of Pikachu, trapping him.
"Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted again.
Pikachu raised his arms, blasting electricity around him, but Metagross zoomed behind him, slamming his front leg into him. Pikachu flew forwards, slamming into the ground.
"Electro Ball!"
"Meteor Mash!"
Metagross raised both front legs, a blue aura flaring around him. He zoomed forwards, crashing into Pikachu with an explosion. Pikachu staggered backwards, bruised, but still standing.
"Psyshock!" Alain thrust out his hand.
"Quick Attack!" Ash yelled.
Pikachu sprang away with a burst of speed, the psychic pellets slamming into the earth behind him.
"Rock Slide!"
Metagross raised his front legs, several large boulders shooting into the sky. They zoomed towards Pikachu, who was barely dodging them.
"Now!" Ash shouted. "Iron Tail!" Pikachu leaped, swinging his glowing tail around, smashing through the last boulder. "Now use Thunderbolt!" The Electric attack hit Metagross, damaging him.
"Use Meteor Mash!" Alain ordered.
"Electro Ball!"
Pikachu leaped and swung his tail, shooting the ball of electricity towards his opponent. It collided with Metagross, stopping his attack.
"Metagross!" Alain shouted as Pikachu ran for him.
"Put all your power into this attack!" Ash grinned as he held out his hand. "Volt Tackle!"
Pikachu zoomed across the meadow, electricity flaring around him. He collided with Metagross with an explosion of light, blasting the Steel type back several feet. He shook his body, eyes locking onto the small Mouse Pokemon.
"Metal Claw!" Alain roared and Metagross dodged Pikachu's Iron Tail, slamming a leg into him. Pikachu crashed back to the ground, leaping back to his feet instantly, cheeks sparking. He unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt, blasting Metagross. Leaping into the air, Pikachu spun his body, slamming his tail into the Steel type's head, slamming him to the earth.
As Pikachu sprang away, Metagross didn't get back up. "Metagross is unable to battle, which means Pikachu wins!"
"Ash is back in the lead," I noted.
"But for how long?" Clemont shook his head. "Ash has never beaten Alain and they've battled several times before now."
"Go, Charizard!" Alain shouted, sending out his partner Pokemon.
"What?" Alex blinked. "Already?"
Ash grinned. "Pikachu, Quick Attack! Follow it up with Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu ran forwards, headbutting Charizard's stomach before leaping away and blasting him with a powerful Thunderbolt, making the Fire type roar in pain.
Alain only smiled. "Charizard, Flamethrower!"
Flames burst around Charizard's maw as he reared back his head, blasting jets of powerful flames towards Pikachu. The Electric type cried out as he was engulfed within them. He dropped back to the ground, barely able to move.
"Dragon Claw!"
Charizard appeared in front of Pikachu, slashing him back towards Ash, unable to move at all now.
"Pikachu is unable to battle, which means Charizard wins!"
"Pikachu!" Ash ran to his Pokemon, cradling him in his arms. He carried him back and laid him on the ground. "Get a good rest, Pikachu."
"After beating Pikachu, Alain has returned Charizard! Now both trainers are down to their last two Pokemon! Who'll emerge victorious is anyone's guess at this point!"
"Goodra, I choose you!" Ash sent out the Dragon type.
"So that's his last Pokemon," I realized. "Where was he this entire time?"
"Ash released him," Serena explained. "Ash caught Goodra as a Goomy who had been forced out of his homeland. Once we ended up there some time later, Goodra decided to stay. But he was still willing to come at Ash's invitation to battle in the League."
"Come out, Bisharp!"
"Goodra, use Dragon Pulse!" Ash commanded and Goodra blasted a blue beam towards Bisharp.
"Dodge and run for him!" Alain ordered.
Bisharp ducked as he sprinted towards Goodra, leaping to the side as Goodra aimed the beam downwards.
"Don't make it easy for him!" Ash shouted. "Ice Beam on the ground!"
Goodra struck the meadow with a beam of ice, freezing almost all of it. Bisharp slipped, crashing onto his back.
"Now!" Ash grinned. "Dragon Pulse!"
As he was getting to his feet, Bisharp was blasted backwards by the Dragon Pulse. He pressed his feet hard into the ground, coming to a halt as the ice cracked beneath him.
"Bisharp, use Thunder Wave!" Alain shouted and Bisharp clanged his arms together, an electric shock shooting towards the Dragon type. Goodra tried to dodge, but was hit by it and flinched as the electricity traveled along his body.
"Guillotine!" Alain yelled and Bisharp's blades glowed as they grew several feet long. He crouched, springing forwards.
Ash's eyes widened. "Rain Dance!"
Goodra's eyes glowed as he roared, dark rain clouds forming above the meadow before Bisharp slashed past. Goodra collapsed, fainted.
"Goodra is unable to battle, which means Bisharp wins!"
"And Alain takes the lead, leaving Ash at only one Pokemon! It looks like his luck has started to run out!"
"Let's finish this, Greninja!" Ash shouted, tossing out the Water type. Greninja appeared standing, arms folded as he narrowed his eyes through the rain at Bisharp.
"Bisharp, Iron Head!" Alain thrust out his hand and Bisharp ran for Greninja, head lowered.
"Double Team!" Ash shouted, grinning broadly. Greninja instantly made a dozen copies of itself and Bisharp began headbutting each one.
"Aerial Ace!" Ash called out and the real Greninja knelt, swinging out a glowing foot and catching Bisharp in the chest. Using his momentum, Greninja managed to fling Bisharp upwards. "After him! Water Shuriken!"
Greninja crouched and leaped, forming a shuriken. He flung it and it blasted into Bisharp's head. The Steel type crashed to the ground, fainted.
"Bisharp is unable to battle, which means Greninja wins!"
"Now they're one-to-one! It's come down to this ladies and gentlemen; Greninja vs. Charizard! Can this Greninja triumph over the powerful Mega Evolution Alain and Charizard wield!?"
"Charizard," Alain smiled proudly at his Fire type, who glanced back at him. "It's time for our long-awaited battle with Greninja. Let's enjoy this till the end!" Charizard blew a breath of fire in the air in agreement.
"Greninja," Ash swung his hand. "This is a worthy opponent for you! Let's show them what we're like at our best!" Greninja croaked in agreement and Ash yelled, "Run, Greninja!"
Greninja ran for Charizard, body bent low. Charizard drew back his head, blasting a jet of flames towards Greninja.
"Dodge it!" Ash commanded and Greninja leaped, body skimming just above the flames. "Cut!" Greninja formed the blade and slammed the side of it into Charizard's stomach, knocking him back several feet. Greninja leaped back closer to Ash as the rain petered off, leaving the meadow glistening.
"Let's go, Greninja!" Ash called out to his friend, then looked up at Alain. "Alain, I... We won't lose. Let's fight with our full power! Greninja!"
Ash and Greninja both swung a fist to their chest, water bursting around Greninja. His body began to change and the water pulled back into his shuriken. He stretched his back before punching a fist forwards, fully transformed into his bond form.
The crowd cheered as Alain smiled. "Thank you, Ash. I've been waiting for you to show that full power of yours. Take me to even higher stages! All right, this is the end." He held up two fingers, pressing them onto his Mega Bracelet. "Charizard! Respond to my heart, Key Stone! Surpass evolution! Mega Evolve!" He raised his arm, tendrils of light connecting between trainer and Pokemon. Charizard growled as his body began changing, light swirling around him. With a roar and blast of blue flames, Charizard Mega Evolved, the mega symbol glowing brightly in front of him for just a second.
...
"Please, Charizard," the girl pleaded. "Make Alain win!"
...
"Run, Greninja!" Ash shouted and Greninja blasted forwards, instantly making a dozen copies of himself.
Charizard flew to meet him, mowing down the copies with a blue Flamethrower. Greninja's limbs glowed as he arced his foot, slamming it into the Fire type's side before bringing a fist down on his head. Greninja leaped back, flinging the shuriken from his back. Charizard recovered quick, slashing through the shuriken with two large Dragon Claws before soaring after his opponent.
Greninja formed two large blades, crouching before springing back towards Charizard. They clashed midair, both flying back from one another. Charizard drew back both fists, each sparking with electricity. He flew above Greninja, slamming one of them down. Greninja swung off his large shuriken, deflecting the attack before swinging it again to strike Charizard in the head. The Fire/Dragon type blocked with his other fists, swinging with precision, Greninja matching blow-for-blow. Finally, Greninja swung in an arc, slamming the Water Shuriken into Charizard's chest.
As the force of the attack blew the Dragon backwards, Alain smiled. "Ash, thanks to you, I'm having a lot of fun right now. I'm grateful to you for making me feel this way. Thank you." He closed his eyes, seeing Mairin's smile. "But... I have to be the strongest! I can't lose to anyone anymore! Charizard!" Alain's face became fierce as he unclenched his fist into the shape of claws. "Dragon Claw!"
Greninja only had time to raise his arms as Charizard slashing his claws against him, knocking the Water type twenty feet away, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Ash immediately felt the pain as he held his arms close to his chest, grimacing. "I'm having," he straightened, fixing his hat. "A lot of fun too, being able to fight a strong trainer like you, Alain. But this is the end." He nodded at his rival and friend. "No hard feelings, whatever the outcome, Alain! Take this! This is the full power of every one of us combined! Greninja, Cut!"
Greninja dashed forwards, swinging his two blades as Charizard flew into the air to dive down towards him, brandishing his Dragon Claws. They clashed and Greninja managed to knock Charizard back a dozen feet. Charizard immediately slammed a fist on the meadow floor, cracks spreading across the entire battlefield. They began to glow, fire blasting out of the cracks, blasting Greninja into the sky. Charizard flew beneath Greninja, slamming an electrified fist into his back. Greninja and Ash both cried out in pain, but the Water type twisted in the air, slamming a fist into the Fire type's stomach before slamming both feet into his head. Charizard spun through the air, crashing into the meadow below. Greninja landed on both feet, already prepping two Water Shurikens. He swung them, both slamming into Charizard.
The Dragon type roared, blasting a huge burst of blue flames towards Greninja, who blocked what he could with his large shuriken, wincing at the intense heat. Charizard only let up once he was within a couple feet of his opponent, slashing downwards with draconic claws. Greninja brought up a webbed hand, blocking the attack, then doing the same with the other claws. He twisted his body, attacking Charizard with all he had, both Pokemon blocking one another's attack. Greninja swung his fist, slamming into Charizard's electrified one, and both Pokemon were blasted apart.
"Let's go, Alain!" Ash reached towards his back and threw his hand into the air. "WATER SHURIKEN!"
Greninja grabbed his large shuriken and threw his hand into the air as well, the shuriken flying out of his hand and swirling in place. A cyclone of water burst into existence, golden light spreading along it. The water expanded before bursting, revealing a gigantic golden Water Shuriken, rotating at high speeds above Greninja's hand.
Alain's eyes widened as shock spread across his face, but he quickly recovered, desperately slamming a fist into the ground. "BLAST BURN!"
The ground exploded beneath Charizard's fist, the earth rupturing as the heat traveled beneath the ground towards Greninja. With the red markings on his head glowing bright, Greninja drew back his arm, before flinging the giant shuriken with every ounce of strength he possessed. It flew towards Charizard as light broke through the ground and the battlefield exploded with energy, completely obscuring everything within a giant cloud of smoke.
As the smoke thinned, both Pokemon were revealed standing. They hung there for a couple moments before Greninja fell to one knee. Charizard took a step forwards and stumbled, collapsing onto the ground.
"Charizard is unable to battle! Therefor, the winner is Ash!"
The crowd exploded with noise, cheering and applauding. Ash fell to both knees, sweating profusely and taking deep breaths. Alain stood where he was for a long moment before walking towards his fallen Pokemon. He knelt, helping Charizard to his feet. Ash wiped his brow, heading towards Greninja to do the same. Greninja stood, his form fading as he held out his hand and Ash clasped it.
"We did it," Ash breathed, finally allowing himself to grin. "We beat him, Greninja!"
"Greninja!" Greninja agreed and both turned to face Alain and Charizard.
"Ash, thank you," Alain smiled softly.
"Back at you," Ash nodded. "Thank you very much for the thrilling battle."
"I..." Alain averted his eyes. "I didn't get stronger. "I failed. Myself, my Pokemon, and..."
"Alain," Ash clasped his friend's shoulder. "That's not true. You and Charizard were much more difficult this time around to beat. And I look forward to the next time we can battle."
Alain nodded, still not entirely meeting Ash's gaze. "Thank you. Ash, I wish you luck in the Finals."
"Thank you, Alain," Ash nodded and they shook hands as the crowd continued to cheer on.
...
I glanced up at the blue sky as I stood outside the stadium, breathing in the sweet air with Greninja standing next to me. The Semifinal battles had just ended and in a couple hours, the Final round of the Kalos League would commence.
I turned at the sound of footsteps, meeting my rival's gaze. "Not long now. Are you ready."
"Hah," Ash shook his head, grinning as he and Greninja stood side-by-side, standing opposite of my Greninja and I. "Are you kidding?" He held up a fist. "This League is ours!"
I chuckled, smirking. "Our rematch will be legendary. I just hope I can make your defeat look good."
We clasped our hand together, nodding. The time to battle would soon be upon us and the victor of the Kalos League determined.
"But we won't lose," I narrowed my eyes. "Not this time. This time, we will win."
And Ash won! I mean, some of you likely saw that coming. Ash needed some justice done for him. But, that doesn't mean he'll win the Kalos League. Also, sorry for the long delay. Been kinda lazy, not gonna lie. But hopefully the next chapter, the final chapter in the Kalos League, will be up soon. Next chapter, "Battle of the Bonds", Zeno and Ash's rivalry comes to head and the result will prove to be the most exciting and climatic battle in Kalos League History! Till then! Toodles!
