Pokémon Journey: XYZ
Hey guys Paradox here and welcome to Chapter 119 and Chapter 36 of XYZ. This one is gonna be simple and straight forward composed of one battle. We'll also be seeing more confrontations among characters. It's only a matter of time now guys. Now enjoy.
"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence."- Abigail Adams
Chapter 119: The Lumiose Conference: Part 5
"You sure about your current team?" Serena asked as Ash just receive a new team from Professor Oak for his match against Sawyer. "I've looked at Sawyer's team and I'm sure these guys are perfect. Besides, don't sell my older Pokémon short." Ash said. "I'm pretty sure he'll want you to have Greninja as well." Serena said. "Oh trust me, that's still part of the plan." Ash said knowing Sawyer's desire to prove himself.
"Are you guys done yet?" Drake asked as he came over. "Yep I'm all set." Ash answered. "Good because your match starts soon." Rene added. "Guys relax, I got this." Ash smiled. "Dedenne you stop that right now!" The others heard as they saw Bonnie chasing down the Antenna Pokémon who was angrily chasing down Squishy. "You both stop that right now!" Bonnie scowls. Right then Dedenne manages to knock down Squishy, sending the both of them tumbling forward and landing at the foot of a patron. By instinct, Dedenne use Thundershock, shocking Squishy and the unfortunate patron as well.
"Dedenne!" Bonnie scowls as the group approached what was a younger girl with red hair, brown eyes, a green hat with a yellow fuzz on top, a yellow scarf, yellow shirt with a green cloak, a set of straps hooked around her shoulders to hold her pants along with grey socks and brown shoes.
"I'm so sorry." Bonnie attempts to help the girl up. "Oh it's alright, I must say that was quite a shock though." The girl said. "You two better apologize as well!" Serena tells Dedenne and Squishy who immediately felt sorry. "Oh it's okay, I'm not that hurt." The girl said. "Oh right, my name's Mairin and I'm a beginning Pokémon Trainer." Mairin said. The group decided to give their own introductions which Mairin happily accepted. "So were you completing in the Lumiose Conference?" Ash asked. "Me, oh no. I'm not ready for such a challenge. I'm here to support a friend I've been traveling with." Mairin said. "Ash!"
The group turn to see none other than Professor Sycamore coming to them. "Professor, it's good to see you." Serena said. "So I imagine Diantha told you about Lysandre?" Drake said. "Yes, and I must say I am horrified about his true nature. He and I worked closely regarding Pokémon research." The Professor said. "Wait what's this about Lysandre?" Mairin asked. "Mairin I didn't see you there. Well, to keep it short it appears that Lysandre isn't the person we thought he was." Lysandre said as he explains everything about the situation to Mairin.
Horrified, Mairin was worry about Chespie. "Wait, does that mean that Alain is in danger as well? What about Chespie?!" Mairin asked. "I'm afraid so Mairin. As for Chespie, he was moved to my lab once Looker seize Lysandre's assets." The professor said. "Has there been any changes since?" Mairin asked. "None I'm afraid." The professor said. "Umm...mind if we ask what you guys are talking about?" Drake asked. "Oh right, you see some time ago Mairin's partner, a Chespin, wound up comatose while we were visiting Lysandre's headquarters for unknown reasons." The professor said. "Will it be okay?" Ash asked. "For now yes, but so far we haven't come up with any hypothesis for Chespie's condition." The professor said.
"Maybe we'll come visit to check it out after the matches." Ash said. "That's fine, I could get use to some company than normal." Mairin said. "Oh right, Ash the main reason I came by was to tell you I've finally had time to research in that special evolution your Greninja has." The professor said as he present a set of old documents. "It's called the Bond Phenomenon, an extremely rare form of evolution, its when both Pokémon and Trainer share strong and rate bond. Once mastering this trait, the Pokémon undergoes a Synchronization evolution along with their trainer, amplifiing the Pokémon's physiology and abilities while also amplifiing the mental connection between it and the trainer." The professor said.
"Okay, we got that much figured out through trial and error. I mean, we had to be fully synchronized or any disharmony will result in our connection going into flux." Ash said. "Correct Ash, there's also more. Apparently this Bond Phenomenon is more rare than you think. It said that this Phenomenon only occurs every several hundred years and on top of that, not all Pokémon can achieve this kind of evolution regardless of the bond between Pokémon and trainer." The professor. "So Greninja is the only known documentation of achieving this?" Rene asked. "Precisely. I'll be watching your match today, you are gonna use your Greninja right?" The professor asked as Ash nodded. "Excellent, I'll be looking forward to it." The professor said as he prepare to leave back. "Mind if I come watch with you guys? You seem like nice people." Mairin asked. "The more the merrier." Ash accepted as he and gang left to the stadium for Ash's match.
Now approaching the challenger box, Ash felt confident about his current set Pokémon to face Sawyer however he also knew that Sawyer would see this as a way settle the score between his Sceptile and Greninja. Once arriving at his challenger box, it was just a matter of time until Sawyer arrived as well. "I can't believe I made and to face my idol." Sawyer said. "It's real Sawyer, now you just gotta live it." Ash said. "Right, and I'll do just that by defeating you here and now." Sawyer declared. "You're more than welcome to try." Ash vowed. "Trainers, your first Pokémon." The referee asked.
"Right for my first choice, I choose Slaking." Sawyer release the Lazy Pokémon to battle as he laid there. "I know just the Pokémon for the job. Come out Snorlax." Ash release the Sleeping Pokémon as he sat on the field while yawning.
"Wait what's this. Battle of the sloths!?" Shauna asked. "Actually Ash was counting on this matchup." Serena said. "This round might take awhile, Arceus knows these two Pokémon prefer to take their time." Drake smiled.
Semifinals, Ash vs. Sawyer: Six on Six
"We'll start off, Slaking use Hammer Arm." But Slaking merely yawned and sat there lazily. "Umm...Slaking we're battling now." Sawyer exclaims. "Guess Slaking's Truant ability is already in effect. It takes advanced training and patience to train Pokémon like Slaking or Snorlax. Now let's show them our bond Snorlax with Mega Punch." But even Snorlax wouldn't budge and sat lazily in place.
"Guess you don't have much luck either." Sawyer said. "I guess I've under fed you this morning buddy. Don't worry, after the battle it's a life supply of berries until you're stuff. Matter of fact, here's a little taste." Ash said as he threw a Sitrus Berry at Snorlax's mouth who immediately ate it. Right then Snorlax stood on its legs now ready to battle.
"Now let's go, Use Mega Punch." The now ready Snorlax then charges in with a mighty fist and smacks it into Slaking's face, sending him flying back. Normally Sawyer wouldn't be worried because he spend Slaking's training to build up his defense so that he wouldn't be faze even from Fighting moves. But now, Slaking is facing an opponent in his weight class. The now angry Slaking rose up now pounding his chest with a war cry.
"Glad you're taking this seriously. Now retaliate with Uproar." Slaking then pounds his chest to create vibrations that hurt Snorlax's ears. "That won't stop us, use Body Slam." Snorlax then jumps high and by using its own body weight manages to pancake Slaking to the ground. "Use Counter." With all its strength Slaking lifted up Snorlax slowly but surely until he was able to throw him off.
"Use Rest." Snorlax then sat down and immediately fell asleep, restoring health. "Your mistake Ash, use Hammer Arm." Slaking charges in with a mighty arm ready to bring the blow. Ash merely smile that Sawyer fell for his ruse. "Use Sleep Talk." Right then, the sleeping Snorlax got up and open its mouth to and charges up. "Wait is that?" "Too late." Ash beats Sawyer as Snorlax let's out a Hyper Beam at close range, igniting the whole field.
"You're good buddy, use Slack Off. Taking heavy damage from the Hyper Beam, Slaking lounges in place, recovering some health. Still realizing that he was asleep, Ash know had one option but knows he had to be patient until Snorlax was recharged. For awhile, both Pokémon did nothing but recover their energy back. "Man this is getting boring." Rene groaned. "Aww where's your sense of sportsmanship? Besides, I have a feeling Ash is gonna finish this." Drake said.
"Time for a rude awakening, use Uproar." Once again Slaking creating sonic vibrations at which activated its special effect by waking up any sleeping Pokémon in proximity. Snorlax growled at the noise marker and gave a war cry. "Yea I agree with you, show him up with Mega Punch." Snorlax came thrashing about and with a mighty uppercut punched Slaking under the chin, sending him flying upward. "Now finish this with Hyper Beam." Charging up his mouth once more, Snorlax then fires a devastating beam that nails the flying ape with a bullseye. With a major hit like that and a falling from ten feet ending with a thud, Slaking lies there fainted.
"Slaking is unable to battle, Snorlax wins." The referee calls.
"I guess we just got overpowered." Sawyer said. "Offense is just as vial as Defense. If not more in my opinion." Ash smile. "Well here's a change to that. Come out Slurpuff." Sawyer release the Meringue Pokémon to battle next. "I guess I'm gonna go with Gliscor." Ash release the Fang Scorp Pokémon who which tackled Ash out of affliction. "I know bud, but we have a battle to win." Ash said as Gliscor nodded with tears in its eyes.
Battle begins.
"Slurpuff use Energy Ball." Slurpuff zigs forwards and fires a ball of green energy at Gliscor. "Use X-Scissor to power through." Ash calls as Gliscor uses it wings to glide through the air with his claws in an X fashion. Being weak to Bug type moves, it didn't take much to cancel out the Energy Ball and for Gliscor to advance still with X-Scissor. "Use Cotton Guard." Going on the defensive, Slurpuff expels out a blanket of cotton around its body. Gliscor struck the cotton blanket head on, but it being a Bug type move the Cotton Guard merely minimized the damage delt.
"Dazzling Gleam now!" Having Gliscor at close range, Slurpuff emits a bright gleam at engulfs Gliscor. "Now Fairy Wind." Pushing up wind, Slurpuff caught Gliscor in a draft and toss him backwards towards Ash. "Are you alright?" Ash asked as Gliscor merely stood on its tali. "He took some damage, so we get back out there." Ash thought.
"Let's keep up the pressure, use Energy Ball." "Ascend and use Stone Edge." When Slurpuff fires an Energy Ball at Gliscor, the latter jumps to avoid it and then slams the ground with its tail to summon several stone pillars in a zig zag formation. "Now use them to advance and use Steel Wing." By using the pillars, Gliscor island hops towards Slurpuff. Once in range does Gliscor engages with Steel Wing. "Stop him with another Dazzling Gleam."Slurpuff readys and emits another gleam of light at the approaching Gliscor. The latter powers on through, taking damage but dealing super effective damage to Slurpuff.
"Fairy Wind." "Fire Fang." Both Pokémon then use both moves upon each other that both Pokémon felt fatigue from, leading to the both of them fainting. "Both Pokémon are unable to battle." The referee calls. "I suspose that's good enough." Bonnie said. "The score is still 2-1 so he still ahead." Serena said.
"Alright for my next partner, I summon Aegislash." Sawyer let's out the Royal Sword Pokémon to battle. "Alrighty, in that case. I choose Swellow." Ash let out the Swallow Pokémon as he soars through the air.
Battle begin.
"Aegislash start off with Swords Dance." The sword and shield then summon dancing blades in which sharply increase its Attack stats. "Let's apply some pressure, use Double Team." Swellow advances forward under the guise of multiple clones as cover. "Strike them all with Fury Cutter." With multiple slashes from its sword, Aegislash fires several sharp blades of air that struck some copies of Swellow. "Attack with Aerial Ace." With it's remaining copies the real Swellow charges in with a strong air tackle.
"King's Shield." Retreating into its shield, Aegislash creates a barrier that Swellow strikes but bounces off. "And not only that, King's Shield also reduces the Attack stat of the attacking Pokémon." Sawyer smirked as Ash scowls. "Guess Sawyer's using his head on this one. I gotta find a way around the King's Shield." Ash thought. "Use Night Slash." On the offensive, Aegislash charges in with a swinging purple blade. "Use Mirror Move." Mimicking his opponent's current move, Swellow uses his wings as purple blades as both moves simply clash off each other.
"Wing Attack." "King's Shield." As Swellow struck his opponent, the latter simply shielded himself with a barrier, further lowering Swellow's Attack power. "There has to a weakness to that move, if he fortifies from the front then the rear will be vulnerable." Ash thought. "Alright, use Double Team and surround Aegislash." Swellow did so as he and multiple copies flew around Aegislash. "Now Brave Bird." Right then all the copies engage in under a blue flame. "King's Shield now." Sawyer shouted but Aegislash couldn't tell which Swellow was real.
That became real as Swellow struck the rear of Aegislash, knocking it to the ground. "Now again." Swellow went in for another Brave Bird recklessly. "Use Sacred Sword." With a mighty sword, Aegislash swung at the perfect moment and knocked Swellow to the ground and not getting back up. "Swellow is unable to battle. Aegislash wins." The referee calls. "Ash got carried away and forget about the recoil damage Brave Bird does." Drake said. "Now the score is even." Shauna said.
"Guess I got too heated in the moment. Now I have to make this up and I have just the partner for the job." Ash thought as he return Swellow. "I now release Charizard." Ash choose the Flame Pokémon to battle next. "I'm surprised Ash has a Charizard too." Trevor said. "I'm not, leave it to Ash to be a Pokémon Trainer who travels all over the world." Tierno said. "This is gonna be interesting." Rene said. "Yeah buddy, we're back in action." Ash cheered as Charizard roar in excitement. "Now let's show them how's it done. Luckily I have a plan." Ash smiled.
Battle begin.
"Use Fury Cutter." Aegislash starts by firing several sharp air blades at Charizard. "Dodge through them." An expert flier for years, Charizard banks left and right through the Fury Cutter with ease. "Use Flamethrower." Charizard then fires a continuous stream of flames at Aegislash. "King's Shield." Aegislash creates a barrier to tank the stream of flames but Charizard was relentless. There was no sword he can't break nor shield he can't pierce as he continues to pour out open flames.
Sawyer grew worried, as King's Shield wasn't meant to take on a continuous attack. Eventually it wasn't longer until Aegislash couldn't keep blocking anymore and took a straight shot of fire to his body. "Use Slash." Aegislash then took on the offensive and swung his blade towards Charizard. Despite following his trainer's command, Charizard still maintain that sense of independent action and in a classic Charizard fashion he simply caught one of Aegislash's swipes, shocking Sawyer and Aegislash.
"Cocky Bastard." Drake smiled.
"Let's show them an old favorite of ours Charizard, Flaming Seismic Toss." Ash smirked as Charizard took a bear hug of Aegislash's whole body and went for a joyride with him. Spinning around in the air with his foe, Charizard release a rage of flames from his mouth and allowed his body to be engulf in flames. At last with a mighty throw, Charizard toss his passenger to the ground hard, creating a crater. "Aegislash!" Sawyer cried as he saw his partner lie motionless.
"Aegislash is unable to battle. Charizard wins." The referee calls. "That...was quite...brutal." Trevor said. "Ash's Charizard was always one for breaking boundaries." Drake said. "I'm just glad this match got more lively." Rene cheered.
"Guess I should've saw that coming but you not the only one with a ruthless partner. Come out Salamence." Sawyer release the Dragon Pokémon as it hovered in the air, declaring superiority. Charizard however wasn't having any of his opponent's insults and accepted his challenge. "One more match for the king I suspose." Ash said when he was considering switching out but receded that thought.
Battle begin.
"Use Dragon Claw." Salamence charges in with green claws at Charizard. "Retaliate With Dragon Tail." Both Pokémon then engage at each other, merely bouncing each other's moves off one another. "Fire Fang." Salamence then tries to engage closer with fiery choppers at Charizard's arm, biting down hard. "Now's our chance, Seismic Toss." Charizard then twisted his body around Salamence and grabs his whole body and restrain his wings. Once again Charizard takes his foe on a wild ride and then slamming him down to the ground.
"Let's not give them the satisfaction. Use Dragon Rush." Salamence rockets off the ground under a dragon veil towards Charizard. "Counter with Flare Blitz." Ash calls but Charizard didn't heed but instead flew to the ground and brace on its legs. "Oh come on. Now's not the time to show off." Ash said as Charizard merely blew smoke at his trainer to shove it.
The attack came and Charizard tanks the hit, sliding back a few feet. In his mind this was just like back home, facing a challenger from some wannabe successor, other Charizard watching them and amongst them were his mate Charla and three children (no doubt they were watching him now from some TV set). Eventually by using Salamence's own power against him and by hold him by the neck, Charizard began to swing Salamence around via Dragon Throw until he threw Salamence against a rock formation hard. With that Charizard brags by spewing several Flamethrowers.
"Umm...Ash?" Sawyer asked in confusion. "He likes to make a spectacle, and I can't stop him." Ash glums. "Allow me to bring him back to reality, Salamence use Dragon Rush." Now angry, Salamence takes off like a bullet towards Charizard. "Flamethrower." Charizard fires a stream of flames at Salamence but merely powers through until striking Charizard, knocking him in the air. "Now Dragon Claw." Salamence showed no mercy as he then charges in at Charizard with green claws. "Glad you're taking this seriously. Now use Flare Blitz." Charizard finally listens and charges in under an explosive veil.
Like Charizard, Salamence tries hold off his opponent but lacks the strength compared to Charizard and was eventually being tackled back to the ground and this time staying down. "Salamence is unable to battle. Charizard wins." The referee calls. Charizard roars in victory knowing his did his reputation and family proud. "Nice to know you haven't lacked in your training." Ash said at which Charizard felt insulted and blew a Flamethrower at his face. "I'm assuming Ash deserves that." Drake said. "Is that common between them?" Trevor asked. "Well..." Serena struggles to explain.
"*sigh* I'm pretty sure you don't do this to your family right?" Ash asked pointing at the scorch marks on his face. At which Charizard replies back in embarrassment. "Oh Charla does that to you in fact? Nice to know who's really the head of the family." Ash smirked. "Trainers, your next Pokémon." The referee calls. "Well buddy, the others want a chance to battle so take a good rest." Ash said as he returns Charizard.
"On to the next. Clawitzer you're up." Sawyer summons the Howitzer Pokémon to battle fifth. "Perfect, Torterra you're up." Ash brings out the Continent Pokémon to battle as it roars. "Wow, I've never seen a Torterra in person before." Trevor said. "I gotta say, that Pokémon is huge." Shauna added. "You think Ash will let me take pictures of his old Pokémon for my collection." Trevor asked. "Maybe if you ask nicely." Drake said.
Battle begin.
"Torterra, use Razor Leaf." The Continent Pokémon kicks off by throwing razor sharp leaves at Clawitzer. "Use Ice Beam to freeze them." Clawitzer went on the defensive and fires a beam of ice at the Razor Leaves. "This may take some trickery but I gotta find a way to get Clawitzer closer." Ash thought. "Let's try this, Use Energy Ball." Torterra fires another ranged attack at Clawitzer. "Use Crabhammer to block and attack." Clawitzer charges in with a mighty claw to first get pass the Energy Ball with ease.
Ash smirked knowing that Clawitzer fell for his ruse. The latter then struck Torterra on the head but the Continent Pokémon didn't even flinch. "Gotcha, use Rock Climb." With a slam, Torterra created a hill with Clawitzer at the peak, surprising him. With sharp claws, Torterra scales the hill quickly despite its size and slams into Clawitzer, sending it tumbling down.
"Use Ice Beam." Clawitzer once again fires another beam of ice at Torterra. "Leaf Shield." A new trick learned, Torterra uses Razor Leaf to stir up leaves into a funnel dome around itself thus a shield. The Ice Beam struck, freezing the leaf shield entirely but Torterra was spared. "You guys are falling behind." Ash smirked as Sawyer looked worried. Each strategy they've tried so far Ash has repealed.
"We still got more tricks up our sleeves. Use Aqua Jet." Under a water veil, Clawitzer zips around in the air. "Strike with Dragon Pulse." Discharging now, Clawitzer fires a rainbow pulse dragon at Torterra who tanks the hit. "Now Ice Beam." Clawitzer then fires a beam of ice at Torterra, making impact and freezing him solid. "Great." Ash grumbled. "Let's shatter the moment Clawitzer, with Crabhammer." Clawitzer then charges in with a mighty claw at the frozen Torterra.
"Let's hope this works. If you can hear me, use Energy Ball." Ash calls as surely inside the ice was a green light beginning to emit. "Now eat it." As Clawitzer strikes the ice where Torterra's head is, the ice shatters but Torterra wasn't fazed but rather emitting razing green energy from his shell and tree. "Wait what just happened?" Tierno asked. "Another classic Ash Ketchum move. By eating the Energy Ball rather than spewing it out, Torterra gains a boost for defense and its Grass type moves." Drake explained. "I didn't even think that was possible." Serena said. "You'd be surprise what possible nowadays." Drake smiled.
"We got you now, Leaf Storm." With a roar, Torterra summons a surge of leaves that Clawitzer couldn't take against and was swallowed up into a typhoon. With the boost from the Energy Ball, there was no doubt Clawitzer was knocked out as he struck the floor. "Clawitzer is unable to battle, Torterra wins." The crowd cheers for an amazing spectacle and an awe for Ash's unconventional tactics. "Just one more." Ash whispers to himself.
"I guess this is it, if we are to go down. We won't do so without a fight, Sceptile you're up." Sawyer calls on his final partner. "If it's a fight you want." Ash said as he returns Torterra and summons out Greninja. "A fight you'll both have." Ash smiled.
Battle begins.
"We'll kick off, use Bullet Seed." Sceptile starts with firing several seeds at Greninja. "Dodge then use Aerial Ace." "Don't stop firing." Greninja runs forward and baseball slides pass to avoid the first volley then spring boards upward to dodge the second one. Once in midair Greninja readied to attack. "Use Leaf Blade." With it's forearm blades, Sceptile blocks the Aerial Ace then swipes at Greninja who backflips to dodge but fails the second swipe and get knocked back.
"Use Dragon Pulse." Sceptile then charges up and fires a rainbow dragon pulse at Greninja. "They're not letting up. Roll forward and use Night Slash." Greninja crawls forward and then rolls at the right time to dodge the Dragon Pulse. Then with a quick slish managed to nick Sceptile on the chest. "Retaliate with Leaf Blade." "Counter." Both Pokémon then attack with their own blades, each blows simply clashing off each other. "Use Leaf Storm." In a surprise attack, Sceptile stirs up a funnel of leaves that levels Greninja in the chest, knocking him back.
"No more holding back." Sawyer cries out as he took his pen where his Key Stone sat and touched it. The result was Sceptile's Mega Stone reacting to it and underwent metamorphosis. Within a matter of moments Sceptile was Now Mega Sceptile. "There's the reaction I was hoping for." Ash said. "Right here, right now, we'll show you how strong we've become." Sawyer vowed. Ash scowls as he calls to Greninja (whom agreed that it was time as well) mentally. Their souls and minds merge to activate the Bond Phenomenon and Greninja became Ash-Greninja. "Then show us what you've learn this far." Ash asked. "Incredible, two super powered Pokémon are now ready to duke it out." Bonnie said.
"Use Leaf Blade." Mega Sceptile then charges in with two blades at Greninja. "Counter with Night Slash. Use your Mega Shuriken as a shield." With one blade in hand and his Mega Shuriken acting as a knight's shield, Ash-Greninja blocks the incoming blow then slashes but gets cut off by Sceptile counter blow. Action by action, both Pokémon's attacks simply bounced off one another until they reach a stalemate.
Ash-Greninja eventually broke off by shield bashing one of Sceptile's counters thus having his sword slash onto Sceptile's leg, knocking him down. "Aerial Ace." Sceptile attempts a comeback with a low sweep Leaf Blade, But Greninja's hyper reflexes (almost sixth sense) saw it and Capoeira Kick's not only to dodge but also land a blow on Sceptile's head. "Now Hydro Pump." Landing on ground behind Mega Sceptile, Ash-Greninja fires a burst stream of water striking Sceptile on his rear and washing him out.
"We never felt more connected before." Ash said. "Maybe we underestimate you guys but we won't make that mistake again. Use Bullet Seed." Mega Sceptile grew annoyed and fires out a relentless volley of seeds. "Dodge them." In his current form, dodging volley fire was exercise for Ash-Greninja as his kinesthetic sense went into overdrive by flipping and twisting his body midair. "Water Shuriken." Midair dodge Ash-Greninja hurls his Shuriken to Sceptile. "Leaf Blade." With twin blades, Mega Sceptile cancels out the Shuriken.
"Now Leaf Storm." Mega Sceptile then summons out a surge of leaves over at Ash-Greninja who couldn't avoid. Taking a heavy blow, Ash felt phantom pain on his chest as Greninja was knocked back. "Now Dragon Pulse." Sceptile wasn't halting as he then fires a rainbow pulse at Greninja. "Water Shuriken." With another ninja star Ash-Greninja cancels out the Dragon Pulse while advancing.
"Enough of this, Frenzy Plant." Sceptile then slams on the ground to summon three giant vines to howl at Greninja. "They're getting agitated, good. Now we just gotta get through that Frenzy Plant." Ash said as he knew this will put their heighten senses to the test. Ash-Greninja felt his trainer's thoughts and knew he'll be a second set of eyes as he navigates through this death trap. Greninja sees the first vine heading towards him and jumps up top and dashes across it.
"Are they insane?" Serena asked. "Nope perhaps daring and also stupid." Rene answered.
Greninja charges forwards as more of the vines attempt to swat him like a fry. Ash continues to feed information via his senses as Greninja makes a perfect time jump to avoid one vine and land on another. At last his foe was in sight. "Night Slash now." Instead of two kunai, Ash-Greninja use the Shuriken on his back as a sword, cutting through the vines as coming kept coming but only to be slash down. "Leaf Blade." Sceptile attempts to attack with twin blades but his body went fatigued. "Guess you forgot about Frenzy Plant's after effect. Now's it's our turn. I really hope this move works after all the practice we put in." Ash thought.
"Time to end this! Use Ragnarok." A promising finisher, Ash-Greninja first kicks Sceptile upward in the air. Once then with the power of ninja and the Bond Phenomenon, Greninja slish and slashes Sceptile at incredible speed that he disappears and reappears in a different spot. Finally up above his prey, Ash-Greninja powers up one last Water Shuriken and hurls it with all his might that Sceptile didn't feel it until the pain registered in his mind. (If you want a visual representation, it's basically Greninja's Final Smash from Smash Bros. Ultimate but just altered in the end.)
Finally broken of his fighting spirit, Sceptile reverts back to base form fainted. "Sceptile is unable to battle, Greninja wins and the match goes to Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town." The ref calls.
"Yea, wooo." Serena cheered the loudest as the crowd were in frenzy. "He's in the Finals." Shauna said. "It's only a matter of time now." Drake said.
"Guess we couldn't hang in there." Sawyer said sadly as he returns Sceptile. "Don't fret Sawyer, for your first official Pokémon League you certainly made it this far into it. That's saying something." Ash said. "You're right." Sawyer brighten up. "Besides my first League I've only made it to the Top 16." Ash said. "That's not too bad." Sawyer said. "I'll be training better and stronger too. That way the next time we battle I'll put up a lot more fight but until then I'll be rooting for you to become king." Sawyer adds. "I wouldn't say king but I know what you mean and thanks." Ash said.
After their battle it was only Alain and Remo to have theirs. In a daring outcome, Alain took the victory thus making him the second finalist to face Ash the next day. After today's events concluded, the group took up Mairin's offer to see her Chespin at Professor Sycamore's Lab. Among them was the professor himself, Mairin and surprisingly Alain.
"Hey everyone." Mairin said. "So Professor any luck?" Ash asked. "No, I don't have any theories." Professor Sycamore sighed, leaving everyone hopeless. Out of Bonnie's bag, Squishy hops out onto the bed and approach's the comatose Chespin. "Squishy...can you do something?" Bonnie asked as Squishy had memories of this one. The Pokémon who rescue it from the lab but only to fail into a coma. Knowing how to cure him, Squishy emits a glowing green light that redirects the excess energy out of Chespie's body. Everyone stared and marveled at Squishy's actions. Slowly but surely Chespie stirs out of his long slumber and begins to open his eyelids.
"Chespie?" Mairin asked as Chespie heeded his call and cries out to him. "Chespie you're awake!" Mairin cried as she hugged her Pokémon tightly. Alain, he's finally awake." Mairin cheered as Alain smiled. At last Mairin's smile reappear once again. "But...how?" Serena asked. "Hold that thought." The professor said as he dash to the nearest computer terminal to check something. A while later he back looking frantic. "I found it, and I can't believe I've missed it." The professor said. "Care to explain?" Rene asked. "The energy signature that was emitting from Chespie's body is a match to the one that Squishy uses to energize its body." The professor said. "So Chespie was imbue with Squishy's energy? How?" Alain asked.
Chespie then began to explain how he got comatose from rescuing Squishy. "So Lysandre held Squishy in his lab and Chespie freed it. That lead to us finding Squishy eventually." Drake said. "So Chespie was the reason we managed to meet Squishy? That was quite brave." Serena said. "But why would Lysandre be holding Squishy in the first place?" Alain asked as everyone simply looked at him. "You may want to sit down for this." Ash said.
A brief explanation later
"I don't believe this...I refuse to believe this." Alain spoke. "Well you better believe it." Drake said. "Alain I didn't want to believe it at first but Lysandre intended to use Zygarde's power to destroy Kalos." The professor said. "But...I help him...I owe him for all his support."Alain said. "He's fooled the both of us Alain. All the research we help him gain only fuel his development for this weapon. He's dangerous." The professor said but Alain simply couldn't process any of it. "I..I...I can't be here. I need some air." Alain said then leaves the room.
"His allegiance is split. To us and Lysandre." Drake said. "He might be a problem if he can't decide." Rene added. "I know Alain, I know he'll make the right choice." Mairin said. "I'll believe it when I see it." Drake said. "Where Ash go?" Serena asked when everyone saw that Ash was gone.
Outside the lab, Ash chases Alain down the street. "Alain wait." "Look Ash, I can't give a straight answer about what to do now." Alain said. "I understand that but I only wanted to ask will you be alright for our battle tomorrow." Ash said. "Oh I will, and rest assure that tomorrow will end in just one way." Alain vowed. "I'm a warrior first Alain. I train like one and so do my Pokémon." Ash scowled. "Then by all means, warrior, tomorrow will be a fight you'll never forget." Alain said as he walks away, leaving Ash worried. "His lust for power and supremacy will be his undoing...I only hope Mairin is right about him." Ash thought as he was left to ponder his thoughts for tomorrow. For a battle to end all battles thus far, and a day that will go done in history. Only one will reign supreme.
Whew done, apologies for the tardiness but things haven't been easy for me these days. I'm now back in school for spring for one and these next few weeks will be equally busy for me. For now I can only hope you'll be impressed with his recent chapter.
For the next one, you know what's coming, one more battle for this Arc. I can't say for sure when I'll post next time because I'm tired of making promises that I can't deliver so for now just be patient. Just to be clear...I won't abandon this book, and I'll finish it no matter how long it'll take me. I only hope it'll be one of the great ones you all can enjoy.
So that's all for now. Tell me what you guys think. This is Paradox signing off. Goodbye.
