Here is the twenty-third Supplement for the Heart in 'Winning Takes Heart', released just after the right moment in the Hearts timeline. That means that for those wondering, this Supplement takes place between Parts CLXXVI and CLXXVII and is the first of the three that will be set during the overall final Lumiose arc and occurs a few days before the Grand Festival begins. For classification purposes, this Supplement falls under the training battles so would distract from the main story if it was there category hence why it and the next Supplement are here. That is all the administrative stuff and as there are no questions from reviews or guest reviews to respond to I will leave this not off here. Do keep the reviews coming though as I love hearing from y'all and how much you enjoy my work, it keeps me motivated to make more content for y'all to enjoy but that is all I have for y'all which means that it is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the Winning's twenty-third Supplement For the Heart: Full Battle Practice I.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.
Full Battle Practice I
"Alright this will be a full battle between Ash of Pallet Town in the Kanto region and Owen of Ballonlea in the Galar region." Clemont said taking the ref's spot in the Lumiose Gym. "This battle will follow standard rules so both trainers are allowed to substitute Pokémon at any time for any reason without penalty. Understood?"
Ash nodded at the rules, it was to be expected though of course they could be different in the upcoming Lumiose Conference, so the main purpose of today was to get some practice in a full battle as he'd not had much practice this year. Unlike last year when Ash faced 7 of the 8 Kanto gym leaders in full battles to prepare for his second crack at the Indigo Conference, Ash was in a new region, so he'd not had many chances to have a full battle. He'd had one this year in Kalos, the one against Kenny, and that had been an exception, so he needed some practice before the Lumiose Conference.
Thankfully, he had the time to have said practice as they were all in Lumiose City again getting ready first for the upcoming Grand Festival. The latter of which would begin in a few days with a special opening ceremony followed the next day by the Wildcard event before the Grand Festival itself. After that it was the Lumiose Conference to end their year in Kalos.
For the most part, they were currently preparing Serena for the Wildcard as she was going to try to qualify for the Grand Festival via it but today, after the Lumiose Gym had closed for the day, was Ash's first practice battle and Owen had volunteered for it as he wanted to test his whole team out against Ash. Ash was planning on another full battle after the Grand Festival with Dawn, so this was the first of his prep for the Lumiose Conference.
Even with the Grand Festival coming up, everyone in their two groups was present to watch this. Dawn naturally was supporting Ash, May was there to enjoy it and then face Max in a full battle to help him though he didn't know this yet, Serena needed a break from her own training and always drew inspiration from Ash's battles, while Max was there to learn, and Bonnie just to have a good time. Lastly, Professor Sycamore was there as he expected to see Ash-Greninja once again and was eager to learn more about the strange phenomenon that Ash and Greninja could pull off.
"Ok good." Clemont said noting that both trainers were ready for this battle so they could start right away. "Then battle begin!"
"Noivern, I choose you." Ash said starting off with the Pokémon who needed the most experience in his mind due to Noivern's recent evolution in the Wallace Cup.
"Alcremie, game on." Owen said tossing out his own Poke Ball at the same time as Ash's. "Ah a dragon type, an interesting choice indeed and a really test for you right off the bat."
"Alcremie, that's a Galarian fairy type, right?" Ash said as both Pokémon burst from their balls, and he got a look at the strange Pokémon he'd only seen once before, back in the Wallace Cup where it had been Owen's appeal Pokémon. "Can't say I've ever faced one in battle before."
"Correct, it was a normal type until that strange change happened when it became one of the new fairy types that evolves from a Milcery and has various tones and swirls depending on the candy used in the evolution process." Owen said. "Mine's a Mint Cream Flavor, that's what she wanted after I got all the candy options this year."
Alcremie was certainly strange, and Owen's was mint green in color with darker stripes going into its white base and purple ribbon things in its cream swirl style hairpiece thing which only added to the oddity that the foot tall sentient cream thing was. However, it was a fairy type and thus a good challenge for Ash and Noivern, so he was eager for it as this was just what he wanted out of his full battle practices.
"Well then that is a good challenge for us as Noivern hasn't had the chance to face a fairy type and I do enjoy beating a Pokémon with a type advantage on me." Ash said with a grin. "So Noivern, start us off with Boomburst, let's see it handle that."
"A solid start." Owen said as Noivern took to the air with a roar. "Brace Alcremie and counter with Attract. Let's see if that Noivern is male."
It was a solid counter to Ash as Noivern let out a roar and blasted the powerful sound-based attack from his ears that covered the whole battlefield. It wasn't an easy attack to avoid, especially with how Noivern could use it, and it was one of the strongest normal type moves out there, so it was a good start against a fairy type like Alcremie.
As such, all Alcremie could really do is lean forward and clench her jaw as the sound attack hit her and her body rippled from it while she slid back a few feet as she was far too light to avoid it. However, she was still a fully evolved Pokémon so one Boomburst alone wasn't enough take her down and she was ready to counter as she kept her eyes on Noivern and winked the moment it was done.
"Dodge that with Acrobatics." Ash said using a tactic he and Noivern had mastered together for the move before revealing Noivern's latest move, one that Talonflame had taught him so that he could properly face off against at least two types, fairy and rock, that he was weak against. "Then hit it with Steel Wing."
"Clever." Owen said as Noivern shot up and to the side to avoid the sea of hearts that Alcremie had sent up at him. "The mobility of a flying type, or a flight capable Pokémon, coupled with a fast move they're known for to use all the available space to avoid an Attract, just what I've come to expect from you based on Max's many stories of your battles but even with this new move you won't best me. Now Alcremie, Substitute and use all the space available, I know you know what that means girl."
Ash was impressed, Owen had timed the order for the moment Noivern was clear of the hearts and had turned for a dive to Alcremie, his Acrobatics over and now his wings steel as he activated Steel Wing. As such he didn't have the speed to reach Alcremie before she replaced herself with a Substitute that took blow for her.
Add in that Substitute wasn't a barrier move and Noivern's Infiltrator ability, not that Ash knew that that was his ability, couldn't get through it. Thus, Noivern just destroyed the substitute that took the blow for Alcremie and rose into the air looking around confused and that was when Owen revealed his counter that the Substitute move had said up.
"Land on Noivern's back and use Drain Kiss." Owen called out. "Just so you know Ash, that move has recently been confirmed as a move that went from normal to fairy type so it will be extra effective on Noivern."
"Watch out Noivern." Ash said as he saw the small fairy type, it had used the Substitute to leap high into the air so that it was above Noivern thus allowing it to fall down to land on his back and blew a kiss at him. "Roll and blast it down with Boomburst, I know that you can do it. A single fairy type move won't down you."
Noivern wasn't going to avoid the Draining Kiss, he had Alcremie on his back riding him when she sent out the ranged fairy type attack at him from near point-blank range so all he could do was brace as the super effective attack hit him, letting out a howl of pain from it as he lost health that Alcremie gained a good portion of. Still, it wasn't enough for Noivern to faint, so he rode it out as he climbed high in the room before he suddenly spun as fast as he could manage.
Alcremie's body wasn't really designed for riding another Pokémon seeing as she didn't really have legs, and her stubby arms didn't reach to grip anything, so she's been balancing on Noivern's back by wobbling her body with his movements this entire time. Therefore, the moment he flipped she fell off and thanks to Noivern's wings she was slapped by his right wing as she fell, accelerating her descent while Noivern finished his roll and looked down. Then, before she or her trainer could react, Noivern unleashed a second Boomburst from right above Alcremie while she was still falling to the ground.
She had no hope of avoiding it as she fell and just let out a wail of pain as the full force Boomburst slammed into her small body and drove her down to the battlefield with a splat. Alcremie didn't crash, she was too light and her body consistency not the most solid in the Pokémon world so she literally splatted into the ground and Ash used that to his advantage as he could tell that Alcremie wasn't out of it just yet which impressed him as it had taken two Boombursts.
Normally two Boomburst attacks would have probably been enough to down her but thanks to the Draining Kiss she'd regained enough health to survive the second one, albeit barely. That wasn't going to last for long, however.
"Acrobatics." Ash said as Alcremie slowly began to get up to her base. "Dive at it."
"Subst…" Owen began but that was all he got out as Noivern dove faster than he could give the order.
Acrobatics was a nimble flying type attack and Noivern a fast-flying type to begin with so he dove the moment he got the order, the attack active and slammed his head into Alcremie's as she was rising from the ground before she could defend herself. She just let out a wail as she was forced past her limit and flopped back to the ground out cold and with swirls for eyes as Noivern rose from his dive, flipped back in the air and landed in front of Ash, his wings splayed and roaring his victory over a Pokémon who had a type advantage over him. This was going to show the rest of the team that he was just as good as they were.
"Alcremie is unable to battle." Clemont declared raising his hand to Ash's side to indicate who'd won the first matchup of the battle. "Noivern wins."
"Alcremie return." Owen said recalling his Pokémon and looking at the Poke Ball in his hand. "You've come a long way this year girl, really come into your own as you've gone from egg to Alcremie, I'm proud of you. Take a rest, I've got just the Pokémon that should be able to defeat Noivern."
"Stay in Noivern." Ash said. "We could use a little more experience but if things start to turn on us I'll recall you. I want all of you to get experience today so no point in keeping a Pokémon in if it looks like we'll lose."
"Good, I hope to face all 6 of the Pokémon that you have for me today, Ash." Owen said as he put away Alcremie's Poke Ball and pulled out his next one. "As all of mine have come to battle so I don't mind if you need to substitute mid battle just to allow that. Now it is time for my other pink Galarian native though as far as I know this one isn't a fairy type. Hatterene, game on."
Owen tossed out his Poke Ball and Ash grinned at the chance to face the fully evolved Galarian psychic type that burst from it. Standing over two meters tall and swaying on it's base, Hatterene was a Pokémon Ash hadn't faced before, and as with Alcremie only seen once back in the Wallace Cup, so this was going to be fun.
"You showed me something in the last battle that I'll continue to press now." Owen said. "Noivern's likely male, isn't he? You wouldn't have avoided the Attract unless you were certain it would hit, or at least weren't certain the Noivern was female, which means that this will work. Hatterene, Attract. Keep it up until it lands."
"Blast it away with Boomburst." Ash said not confirming it, but he was pretty certain that Noivern was male as Hatterene winked at Noivern. "Then get in close for Dragon Claw."
Noivern let out a roar as he took to the air and looked at the hearts coming towards as more were created by his foe to continue to cover the areas he might fly to. It was a clever move, but he was strong, he could blast through it, and he showed that by angling his ears in the right direction and blasting out the powerful sound-based attack.
The blast of Boomburst filled the battlefield again and cut a path through the hearts, blowing the ones to the peripheries of the attack to the side and outright destroying the ones in the middle with the force of the soundwaves. The hearts did form a barrier of sorts, so Hatterene wasn't actually hit by the Boomburst, but it did create a path and distract her long enough for Noivern to dive forward with his superior speed and close the gap on Hatterene as the talons on his wings glowed and extended with dragon type power.
There was no way that Hatterene was avoiding this as he reached her and slashed her across the face and chest with the dragon type attack though she didn't seem to be worried as Noivern flew at her. That was when everything suddenly changed in this matchup.
Rather than let out a wail of pain and stagger back or fall over, Hatterene just stood there and took the hit with a smile on her face. She'd known that there's been a change when she'd evolved but her species weren't known to have become a dual type in the past so she couldn't fully explain it, but she knew that she wasn't a single type anymore.
No, she's somehow added a type upon evolution, and it was that type, the one that was new and the bane of dragons everywhere. As such, the Dragon Claw did nothing to her and she just grinned through it before winking again to sent an Attract right into Noivern's face, this time there was no way that she'd miss the attack.
"No way." Owen said as everyone present stared wide eyed. "I had an inkling after that battle with Max in the Wallace Cup, she took damage greater than a pure psychic type should take from steel and poison type attacks, but she just took that dragon type attack without anything happening. Also, I know that her earlier forms are affected by dragon type attacks, so this is an addition of the type at the final stage, which is how we missed it because, so few Pokémon add a fairy type upon evolution."
"The immunity." Clemont said from the judge's spot as already Professor Sycamore was making notes on it and preparing reports for Professors Oak and Magnolia so that it could be confirmed and so that more tests could be run on Pokémon that might have added the type as that, along with legendary and mythical Pokémon, was really the last bastion of Pokémon to test for the new type. "That means that we just need one more to confirm it."
"It's got a fairy type and Noivern's attracted which confirms he's male I guess but there's no point in him continuing to fight in this matchups." Ash said pulling out his Poke Ball and using the distraction to recall Noivern before Hatterene and own could capitalize on Noivern's infatuation. "You did well Noivern, but we can't hope to best a fairy type that has attracted as well you so take a break. This is a full battle, that means that tactics are key to winning it."
"That is true." Owen said. "So that is a fair substitution. Who's going to step up though? If I recall, your best Pokémon against a fairy type is your Lucario but it's also not good against a psychic type."
"True which is why I'm going to use a Pokémon that I have trained to handle a wide range of possibilities." Ash said with a grin as he put away Noivern's Poke Ball and pulled out his next one and tossed it out. "Dunsparce, I choose you and start us off with Drill Run."
The Poke Ball burst open and Ash's Dunsparce burst from it with a noise. Before he even hit the ground, he'd flipped over so that he landed tail first on the ground. The moment he did, he used his little wings to get some air again and then shot as fast as he could at Hatterene, his body turning around his tail.
"Stop it with Psychic." Owen said. "Then slam it into the ground and toss it before you use Magical Leaf. I'll admit, I wasn't expecting to see Dunsparce in this battle, but it will be a good test, normal types have a wide range of potential moves so this could be an offensive juggernaut in disguise."
"Flip and wait." Ash said impressed by Owen's correct assessment of Dunsparce as Dunsparce's move set was such that at least 14 types would be weak against one of Dunsparce's moves, but Ash had to focus at the moment to counter the Psychic as Hatterene was already glowing blue. "You won't reach in time, but we've got a plan for this and now is as good a time as ever to test it."
Dunsparce understood the command and on that he flipped forward just as the psychic hold from Hatterene hit him and held him there in midair. Dunsparce pushed through the move and awaited his next order. He didn't get many chances to show Ash and his teammates how good he was despite his moves giving him the greatest offensive range in the team while his type only had one weakness as he had one gym victory and that was really it, so he was going to earn some more team cred with this win.
"Ice Beam." Ash said as Hatterene began to move Dunsparce down to the ground.
Dunsparce ignored that he was being plunged to the ground as he opened his mouth and formed the Ice Beam there. He braced through the impact and then as he was lifted up to be tossed back he sent it out and right at Hatterene.
The way to counter Psychic, the Psychic breaker as some of the team called it, was to use a ranged attack while in the hold, required the concentration to endure the Psychic and then strike the moment you could and now Dunsparce showed that he could do it as well. Normally a fire type attack was used but for Dunsparce his move was ice and it shot out and slammed into Hatterene's chest before anything else could happen.
While his ability to increase status effects didn't trigger with Ice Beam's potential freezing effect, the blow still hurt Hatterene as she wasn't resistant, or weak, to ice type attacks and she wailed as she staggered back, dropping her Psychic hold on Dunsparce in the process. That was just what Ash needed and he pressed his advantage with his best move for this matchup.
"Gyro Ball." Ash said the moment that he knew that Dunsparce was free of Hatterene's Psychic hold. "I know you can land it."
"Magical Leaf." Owen yelled as Dunsparce began to spin while falling to the ground.
"Push through it." Ash said as Dunsparce hit the ground, bounced off it, and shot at Hatterene. "That attack doesn't miss and there's no time to block it, but you can take it, I know that you can Dunsparce."
As Dunsparce shot forward, Hatterene moved her arm thing and sent out a strange leaf that spun through the air and at Dunsparce. The move wouldn't miss so Dunsparce did as Ash said and ignored it as he spun his body as fast as possible. He was technically faster than Hatterene so it wasn't going to be as strong as it could be, but the types involved compensated for that as Dunsparce shot through the leaf, barely registering it, and slammed into Hatterene's face at full speed.
Hatterene wailed in pain from the super effective steel type attack as she staggered back and Dunsparce bounced off her and arched high into the air away from her. This was turning into an intense battle and Ash wasn't going to end his advantage in it.
"Air Slash." Ash said as Dunsparce was in the air.
"Psybeam." Owen said as Hatterene finished her stagger as Dunsparce slashed the air while still in it.
The peculiar beam of psychic power was forming in Hatterene's mouth when the Air Slash that cut through the sky reached here and hit her upper chest from a downward angle. Normally she'd be able to shrug it off and hit Dunsparce with the Psybeam but the potential side effect of Air Slash, the likelihood even higher than usual thanks to Dunsparce's Serene Glance ability making it now a 60% chance, triggering and Hatterene's body shivered. It was a flinch and Ash grinned at that though he'd still not picked up on Dunsparce's ability to increase the likelihood of something like that happening.
"Gyro Ball." Ash called out. "We've got this."
"Push through that." Owen said the panic now in his voice as all the momentum was clearly shifting to Ash in this matchup. "And use Attract, let's stop it if it's male."
The flinch prevented Hatterene from moving for a moment however and Ash and Dunsparce used that to their advantage as Dunsparce began to spin and arc through the air towards Hatterene before he hit the ground, so he just avoided it entirely. Even with a slightly longer route, he closed the distance fast and with Hatterene's height he went low, aiming for her gut as she tried to look down in time to wink and hit him with an Attract that would work. Unfortunately for Hatterene she didn't manage to get her head down before a spinning Dunsparce slammed into her gut.
The force of the impact bent Hatterene over Dunsparce for a moment before she straightened and Dunsparce shot out of her and ended his spin as he flapped his tiny wings to steady himself and slow his descent so that he could land with only a slight thump on Ash's side of the battlefield. As for Hatterene, she was well past her limit now following the second super effective steel type attack and a second after she straightened she collapsed backwards to land with a thud on the ground, her eyes swirls.
"Hatterene is unable to battle." Clemont declared as soon as he confirmed that Hatterene was indeed unconscious and raising a hand to Ash's side of the battlefield. "The winner is Dunsparce."
"Alright Dunsparce, we did it." Ash said pumping his fist. "Stay in, you need the experience."
"Dunsparce." Dunsparce said understanding the order and eager to continue to prove himself with another win.
"Hatterene return." Owen said recalling his Pokémon. "You were great girl, to think when we came here you were just a frightened and shy little Hatem and now you're a strong, fully evolved, Hatterene who's species has added a fairy type it seems. We'll get that confirmed in time but for the moment, take a rest. I know just who to use to finally beat one of Ash's Pokémon."
"I look forward to it." Ash said with a grin.
"This will be another challenge for you Ash but as you've shown, type disadvantages don't affect you too much." Owen said as he put away Hatterene's Poke Ball and pulled out his next one. "So, you should be able to give this Pokémon a good challenge. Passimian, game on."
"Ah a fighting type from Alola if I recall." Ash said as the Poke Ball burst open and the large, monkey based, fighting type Pokémon appeared before Owen, berry in hand and a helmet made from what Ash assumed was a hollowed-out berry on its head. "This is one of your main battle ones if I recall. You used it in that fighting tournament a while back."
"Yup, Passimian and Obstagoon are my main battle partners, but all my Pokémon can battle hence why I'm going with a full battle against you." Owen said. "And you'll see them all today, I'm sure of it. Passimian here has been getting stronger ever since he joined me back in Galar following his loss to Linoone in the Glimwood Tangle which is the forest just south of Ballonlea that is home to a couple of troupes of Passimians. Enough backstory, start us off with Earthquake."
"Air Slash." Ash said as Passimian let out a howl and stood to his full height, fists raised and began to fall to the ground. "Push through it and show how we deal with your one type weakness Dunsparce."
Dunsparce just slashed the air in response as Passimian's fists slammed into the ground with enough force to shake the entire battlefield. The force of the Earthquake bounced Dunsparce up into the air with a wail, but his Air Slash had been true, and it struck Passimian in the face causing him to howl in pain and stagger back a few paces from the super effective flying type move. To add to it, the better than average triggering of a flinch happened against and Passimian shivered as Dunsparce bounced on the aftershocks of the Earthquake.
"Keep it up Dunsparce." Ash said pressing his advantage. "Use Air Slash again."
"Damn that flinching side effect, that Dunsparce has to have Serene Glance as its ability, that's the only explanation for this happening twice in succession as normally there's only a 30% or so chance of a flinch from an Air Slash." Owen said as the air was slashed again by Dunsparce. "Passimian, show your strength by pushing through it and the Bulk Up. We will win this."
Passimian grunted as he braced himself for the attack he couldn't avoid thanks to that damned flinch the last Air Slash had forced on him so he had to take it, but he'd show that he could handle it as he tensed his muscles and grit his teeth. A second later the second Air Slash struck him in the upper chest, and he let out a howl of pain from the super effective move, but he showed how much stronger he was by withstanding a second super effective attack and this time he was able to endure it.
The moment it was over, and he didn't flinch this time, Passimian rose to his full height and flexed his muscles as he activated Bulk Up. The move boosted his attack and defense and was just what he needed to finish this Dunsparce off, there was no way he'd let a normal type best him.
"Air Slash again." Ash said pressing his advantage. "Keep it at range."
"Not this time, dodge it with Acrobatics as you close." Owen said. "Then it's time for Revenge!"
Passimian howled in agreement as he fell onto his forepaws and rushed forward as the slash of air came at him. However, this time as it neared him he activated Acrobatics and used the flying type move to nimbly move to the side to avoid the Air Slash and then showed his grace by turning on a dime and using the rest of the move to close in on Dunsparce. It was impressive and showed Ash that Owen had already adapted to the battle by employing Noivern's tactics with Passimian and allowing him to get close for what was needed to defeat Dunsparce.
Dunsparce had no time to move before Passimian was on him and struck him, hard, with Revenge. Unfortunately, due to Passimian landing the Earthquake first it didn't get the boost of being after the first hit, but it was still a fighting type attack on Dunsparce, a normal type. Therefore, it was super effective and after the battle with Hatterene and the Earthquake to start the matchup with Passimian, Dunsparce was at the end of his ropes and unable to withstand the fighting type attack, he simply fainted from it.
Passimian grunted as he backed up after the attack leaving Dunsparce lying on the ground with swirls for eyes. The first of Ash's Pokémon had been defeated and Clemont signaled as much.
"Dunsparce is unable to battle." Clemont declared as he raised a hand to Owen's side this time. "The winner is Passimian."
"Stay in Passimian." Owen said as Passimian backed up some more so that he was back on his trainer's half of the battlefield. "Let's keep the pressure on Ash."
"Dunsparce, return." Ash said recalling his Pokémon and smiling at the Poke Ball in his hand. "You did well my friend, won a good battle and showed you can handle a fighting type pretty well. We've learned a lot from this so take a rest, I know what's next for us and now it's time to finally show off what I learned from the Wallace Cup."
"You did well there." Owen said as Ash put away Dunsparce's Poke Ball and pulled out his third for this battle. "So, what did you learn from it?"
"That I couldn't rely solely on close combat with this Pokémon, I need range to really maximize its potential." Ash said as he tossed the Poke Ball out. "Talonflame, I choose you. Show off your newest move and use Overheat!"
Talonflame burst from his Poke Ball with a flap of his wings already glowing red from the order Ash had given him and cawing his war cry. Then, before Owen could get out a command, he opened his mouth and unleashed a full powered fire type attack.
The fire erupted from Talonflame's mouth and engulfed Passimian, bathing him in flames before he could do more than just blink in surprise at the sudden arrival of his newest opponent. Talonflame cawed his success as he arched into the air and turned before he hovered in front of Ash as the fire died down to reveal a charred Passimian still standing there but his eyes were vacant in the wake of the Overheat he'd just taken.
After two super effective flying type attacks and a full powered fire type attack he was well past his limit. So, as the last of the flames disappeared, he crashed back just like Hatterene had and lay on his back, arms splayed, berry weapon rolling to the side, and swirls for eyes.
"Passimian is unable to battle." Clemont declared surprised by how fast the win was but raising a hand to Ash's side, nonetheless. "Talonflame is the winner."
"Passimian, return." Owen said recalling his Pokémon and looking at the Poke Ball a look of surprise on his face. "You did well against Dunsparce, showed that you can take a couple super effective attacks but Overheat is always best when first used and that was really fast which is just what I'd expect from Ash. Take a rest my friend, you earned it. Let's see how Ash handles my latest evolved Pokémon as I challenge myself more against him."
"Talonflame, return." Ash said as Owen put Passimian's Poke Ball away and pulled out his fourth of the match much to his surprise. "The main test was to see if the quick Overheat worked, Talonflame is solid in battle otherwise, and I recall what you said the other night, I know you you're using next. I'd rather Pikachu face it as he's not gotten the chance to face many grass types this year so go Pikachu."
"Pika, pi." Pikachu said excitedly as he dashed out ready for the battle.
"I see, well I will do my best to provide a challenge for Pikachu then, I know electric types aren't good against grass types after all and mine is especially tough against electric types." Owen said as he tossed out his Poke Ball. "Gogoat, game on. Start us off with Bulldoze."
"A ground type attack, interesting and a good balance to fire types while also giving it an advantage over an electric type." Ash said as Gogoat burst from its Poke Ball and was already charging at Ash. "Pikachu, evade with Quick Attack and then use a second Quick Attack to strike Gogoat. You didn't get to face Ramos's so show how you handle Owen's."
Pikachu just grinned as he waited a few seconds and then shot off to the side with his Quick Attack before Gogoat could reach him but when Gogoat was too close to change directions. Then he used his small size, and years of training, to turn on a dime and shot back at Gogoat with a second Quick attack as Gogoat came to a stop having missed her Bulldoze and looking around confused.
"Leaf Blade." Owen called out. "You can do it!"
"Avoid it Pikachu, use your size to your advantage." Ash said as Pikachu closed in on Gogoat who'd turned around and begun to form the Leaf Blades on her horns. "We got this buddy!"
"Pikachu." Pikachu said in agreement as he leapt just as the blades were formed.
The timing was key and after years together Ash and Pikachu had it down to an art form so he managed to land the Quick Attack with ease, his head slamming into Gogoat's forehead before she could bring the blades to bear on him. She wailed as she staggered back from the normal type attack and Ash pressed his advantage.
"Iron Tail." Ash called.
"Vine Whip, use it regardless of what happens." Owen countered as Pikachu pressed his advantage and leapt into the air. "Grab Pikachu and throw him away."
Gogoat was just recovering when Pikachu's tail turned to steel, and he flipped forward to drive it into the center of Gogoat's forehead pretty much on the same spot he'd hit with his Quick Attack. The force of the blow drove the grass type to her front knees with a grunt, but she was already prepared for it and the vines were coming out of her neck even as she was driven down.
Before Pikachu or Ash could react the vines slashed the air and whipped Pikachu across the face imparting average damage to him as he wasn't resistant to grass type attacks. Then they grabbed him around the waist, lifted him up, and tossed him away from her. It was a good idea, put some distance between them as Pikachu's best moves against Gogoat were physical attacks but Ash and Pikachu still had range and while it wouldn't be as effective as the other moves it would still work and in a battle every little helped in the long run.
"Thunderbolt." Ash called out.
"Pikachu." Pikachu said as his cheeks sparked while in the air.
As Gogoat to her feet, the blast of electricity flew from Pikachu's cheeks and crossed the battlefield to slam into Gogoat's side before she could turn her head to it. She grunted in pain but as a grass type she was resistant to the attack. Still, it was the third attack she'd taken so they were all starting to add up. Add in that as Pikachu hit the ground and rolled over it, Gogoat began to spark to show that she'd been paralyzed though whether it was by Pikachu's Static ability, or the Thunderbolt was anyone's guess.
"Now, Bulldoze." Owen said.
"Quick Attack." Ash said as Gogoat lined up to Pikachu who was just getting to his feet. "Then Iron Tail right afterwards just like before."
What happened next was, well, classic Ash. As Gogoat tried to step forward for the ground type attack the paralysis triggered and she sparked, her muscles spasming and she bleated in annoyance at that while Pikachu was already charging at her. He ignored her plight as he reached her in seconds and leapt to slam his head into hers with another Quick attack.
Pikachu pressed his advantage as Gogoat staggered back and turned his tail to steel while still in the air. He then flipped forward once again in his signature Iron Tail delivery to bring his tail down on top of Gogoat's head. This 5th attack landing was finally the one that pushed Gogoat past her limit as none of the attacks had been more than average against her, and she was driven face first into the ground, unconscious before she hit it and then collapsed onto her side with swirls for eyes as Pikachu landed on his hind legs to stand over her.
"Gogoat is unable to battle." Clemont said raising his hand to Ash's side the moment he saw the swirls for eyes. "Pikachu wins."
"Gogoat return." Owen said a slightly stunned look on his face as he recalled his Pokémon before looking at the Poke Ball. "You were great there girl, a good battle for your first as a Gogoat but, well, I've heard many a tale about that Pikachu and the kind of Pokémon that he's beaten, so it was going to be tough for sure."
"Pikachu, come on back." Ash said as he pulled out a 5th Poke Ball. "You did great buddy but take a rest for the moment. Two more need experience so let's get them it."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a nod, he'd won his battle and this match was about training all possible Pokémon so Ash would be regularly switching which meant that he could now support his teammates as the final two went. "Pi, Pikachu."
"Well, I do enjoy facing you're Pokémon, so I don't mind but now it's time for my own starter to face you." Owen said as he put away Gogoat's Poke Ball and pulled out his 5th and tossed it out. "Obstagoon, game on!"
"Ah so your special Galarian dark and normal type that is the final stage of your regional Zigzagoon though a normal Zigzagoon doesn't have a second evolution." Ash said as the ball burst open and the bipedal black and white Pokémon stood before Owen, arms crossed over its chest and tongue lolling out and a gleam in its reds eyes. "Well, now it is your turn to face a challenge. This wasn't exactly planned but now I hold the big advantage in a matchup."
"So, it's one of your three fighting types then." Owen said. "Hawlucha, Lucario, or Conkeldurr? Which will it be? I've already failed to predict if Lucario would appear so it really could be any of them."
"It's the last one that you mentioned." Ash said as he tossed out his Poke Ball. "Conkeldurr, I chose you."
The ball burst open and Conkeldurr landed on the battlefield before Ash, his concrete pillars slamming into the ground and a grin on his face. He may have been a bad Pokémon when he was wild, but Ash and his team had shown him what a good heart could do for a Pokémon, and they had all made him stronger while feeding his desire to show how good he was. He'd not won as much as he'd have liked but now he was going to show it again and this time against some oversized badger thing that he'd never seen before but had to be a dark type which was good for him.
"Conkeldurr, start with Fling but only throw one pillar." Ash said. "Keep the other to use with a follow up Hammer Arm."
"Icy Wind." Owen said at the same time. "Huh, a dark type attack, I wasn't expecting that but as a Conkeldurr carries pillars that does make sense."
Obstagoon opened his mouth and spewed forth the ice type attack as Conkeldurr dropped his left-hand pillar, grabbed his right hand on in both hands and spun fast the way only a Conkeldurr could do. Then, when he'd built up the necessary speed from the centrifugal force, Conkeldurr released the pillar as the Icy Wind reached him.
Despite being hit by the ice type attack, Conkeldurr was easily able to send his pillar flying like a rocket and it shot across the battlefield in seconds before it slammed into Obstagoon's face as he was closing his mouth following the Icy Win. The dark and normal type hadn't had any time to prepare and howled from the hit as he staggered back though his dark type did mitigate the damage somewhat.
However, that was all part of the plan as Conkeldurr picked up the other pillar and bolted across the battlefield after his first one as fast as possible while following it. As such, he was almost on Obstagoon the moment he recovered from the blow and had already leapt into the air, the end of the pillar in both hands as he raised it high above his head.
"Icy Wind." Owen shouted. "At least make sure that Conkeldurr takes some damage if it's going to land that attack."
It was the right call in Ash's mind as there was no way to avoid the Hammer Arm at this point so all Obstagoon could do was open his mouth and spew forth a second Icy Wind. This one was too close and with his leap Conkeldurr couldn't dodge it, so he just fell through the ice type attack and ignored the pain as he brought the concrete down with a powerful downward slam right into the top of Obstagoon's head.
The boom was colossal and Obstagoon was driven to his knees with such force that he cracked the battlefield beneath him, and the move did a lot of damage as it was a fighting type move on a dark and normal type. However, despite this, Ash's eyes went wide at the sight of Obstagoon still on his knees, not out of it yet as Conkeldurr moved the pillar to the side just as surprised as his trainer at what he was seeing.
"Now, Payback." Owen said. "Then Night Slash."
Obstagoon grunted as he leapt up and forward from his position and drove his head into a stunned Conkeldurr's face with Payback, the move doing double damage thanks to taking the Hammer Arm. However, as a fighting type Conkeldurr was resistant to dark type attacks, so it was only average damage in the grand scale of things. Still, it staggered Conkeldurr, who now had neither of his pillars in his hands as the Payback had caused him to drop his other pillar, and Obstagoon pressed that as a blade of dark type power formed in his right forepaw.
"Drain Punch." Ash said. "Obstagoon can't take much more, that will end it."
"Dodge it and strike at the opening." Owen countered as Conkeldurr set his feet and clenched his right fist. "You can't take another hit so make sure you don't, we will take this Conkeldurr down Obstagoon."
Obstagoon grunted as he saw the punch coming and ducked down to avoid it, Conkeldurr's eyes going wide as his punch passed through the air above Obstagoon, and then he let out a cry of pain as Obstagoon slashed the Night Slash across Conkeldurr's gut. The higher-than-average critical hit ratio of Night Slash triggered and thus the attack did more damage which compensated Conkeldurr's resistance and caused him to stagger back.
"Now, Takedown." Owen called. "Show Ash that he's not the only one here who can utilize his Pokémon's abilities."
"Drain…" Ash began but it was over before he could finish his order as the distance was so small that Obstagoon didn't have to go far in his reckless charge that he used before he tackled Conkeldurr to the ground with Takedown.
Thanks to Obstagoon's Reckless ability adding damage to a recoil move like Takedown, the attack was the final stray for Conkeldurr as let out and was pushed past his limit. He passed out as he hit the ground, arms splayed and swirls for eyes, but he had the last laugh as thanks to his Hammer Arm the recoil was more than Obstagoon could take, and he too passed out as he bounced off Conkeldurr as he tackled the fighting type to the ground. Obstagoon flipped once in the air before he too landed on his back, head just above Conkeldurr's, arms splayed, tongue out and swirls for eyes.
"Obstagoon and Conkeldurr are unable to battle." Clemont declared opting not to raise any hands at this outcome. "It's a tie."
"Conkeldurr return." Ash said recalling his Pokémon and looking at the Poke Ball with a smile. "You did well my friend, that is one tough Obstagoon though. To take a fighting type attack when both its types are weak to it and still fight, that really showed how strong it is. Take a rest, we've got one more to face and we'll win this with my final Pokémon of the battle."
"Obstagoon, return." Owen said recalling the Pokémon and looking at the Poke Ball. "That was one tough battle, but you held firm with that Hammer Arm, few of your kind could manage that, and even though you passed out, I'll take that as a win. Rest up, I know what is coming so it's time for me to finally see if this will actually works. Time to put all my cards on the table and see how Ash handles it"
"Oh." Ash said as he pulled out his final Poke Ball. "I look forward to that."
"Well, there's one Pokémon that you haven't used yet but it's the only one other than Pikachu that I can predict that you will use." Owen said simply. "And it's the one that I really want to push so I can claim I got it to achieve that Battle Bond thing you can do. Naturally, I have a trump card to help ensure that I manage it."
"Then show me." Ash said as he tossed out the Poke Ball. "Greninja, I choose you."
"Oh, I will, Beedrill, game on." Owen said throwing out his Poke Ball a second later.
The balls burst open at almost the same time as Greninja stood in a ready stance facing a buzzing, flying, bug and poison type that at least this time didn't try to hug his owner though for once it didn't actually sound angry while buzzing. That hug had been odd for Ash to see when it happened and still he was a little on edge, he had a long and mostly bad history with Beedrills so this was going to be interesting, especially after he noticed that the lower of the two black bands on Beedrill's lower abdomen and right before the stinger was thicker and denser than it should be causing him to look closer at it.
"So that's what you're trump card is." Ash said grinning as he saw that the thickness was due to a special strap that had a softly glowing, grayish stone with a black and yellow twist just visible in it from where Ash was. "A Mega Stone, I didn't realize that Beedrill was capable of Mega Evolution."
"I didn't either, but our family friends got this as payment for services in Hoenn earlier this year and they didn't need it, so they offered me the chance to earn it if I did them some errands when I got back to Lumiose City as they knew I had a Beedrill that bonded well with me." Owen said grinning as he reached his gloved right hand into an inside jacket pocket and pulled out a glowing Key Stone that he'd clearly stashed there and held it out for Ash to see. "And against you, well I need to do this from the very start to have a chance I feel so that means that it is time Beedrill. Level up to your maximum level and Mega Evolve!"
At that Ash watched as Owen brought his ungloved left hand to the Key Stone and touched it with a finger. The moment it happened the strange energy that was Mega Energy shot out of it while at the same time the energy shot out of the Beedrillite on Beedrill's body. They connected and a second later Beedrill glowed the strange color of Mega Evolution and began to change.
It started with it's lower legs elongating and sharpening to points while its stinger arm things also elongated, and narrowed, before circular hilt things appeared at the end. At the same time, it's actual stinger and abdomen seemed to become smoother, longs, and sharper while indents appeared in the top if it. Similarly, it's chest part got larger; it's wings more segmented so that it was now 6 instead of 4 pieces. Lastly it's head flattened a little and got angrier while it's antenna flipped back and got thicker.
Overall, it was one of the more dramatic changes Ash had seen so far, though not quite at the level of Mega Abomasnow, and added almost half a meter to Beedrill's size. Then the color faded, and they all got a good look at Mega Beedrill.
In general, the color scheme of yellow and black that Beedrills were known for hadn't changed. That said, there was now a black ban on the top of it's chest part, it's antennae were darker, the bottom stinger a lighter yellow and the eyes were larger and more streamlined, but all that paled in comparison to the biggest change that had occurred. The lower legs had become stingers in their own right with gray tips. All in all, Mega Beedrill looked a lot more menacing and angrier than it had before.
"So that is what happens when Beedrill Mega Evolves." Sycamore said from the stands pulling out his notebook again and making notes in it. "Fascinating. I'd heard from Birch that they'd found Beedrillite out in Hoenn but hadn't seen it yet. This is intriguing and with what Ash and Greninja can do, I can't wait to see if that happens as well. This is going to be a good battle."
"Which is exactly why I started with Mega Evolution." Owen said with a grin at Ash. "I have to go all out against you and Greninja to trigger that change, right?"
"Yeah it's more natural and occurs when we are in the flow of the battle." Ash said. "We've had battles where it didn't happen because we weren't pushed enough to get to that point. Last time was against Alain and his Charizard so let's see if you can give that to me. Greninja, start us off with Aerial Ace."
"Counter with Twineedle." Owen said as the battle began in earnest.
Greninja charged forward, his right forepaw glowing with flying type power as he did before he suddenly leapt up at Mega Beedrill. Mega Beedrill showed his speed as he buzzed and shot up and to the side, avoiding the first swipe of the Aerial Ace with ease before closing in and jabbing his new leg stingers into Greninja's side. To add to it, upon Mega Evolving Beedrill's ability had changed from Swarm to Adaptability so his bug type attack, and his poison type ones for that matter, were now boosted even more than they already were due to same type advantage.
Greninja grunted in pain from the super effective bug type attack though thankfully the potential poisoning didn't trigger, this was not a good matchup for him thanks to his dark type, but he pushed through it as grabbed the right leg stinger with his left arm to pin it to his side so that he could punch Mega Beedrill in the face with his still glowing hand thus not missing with Aerial Ace. Mega Beedrill buzzed in pain as it was his turn to take a super effective attack and he flipped backwards from the blow, Greninja flipping back to the ground in his own way to get clear and Ash was already ready.
"Water Shuriken." Ash ordered as Greninja fell.
"Venoshock." Owen said as Greninja slapped his thighs and pulled a pair of water shurikens off them.
"Dodge it and follow it up with Night Slash." Ash said as Greninja through the two stars of water. "I know you can do it."
Mega Beedrill was just setting himself, this was his first ever Mega Evolution, so he was still adapting to the sudden increase in his size, speed, and power and that brief moment allowed the two Water Shurikens to slam into his chest. He just buzzed at that; he wasn't weak to water though he didn't resist it either, before he shot a stream of poison at Greninja from his abdomen stinger.
However, Greninja was already ready for this and leapt forward, rolling on the ground as he landed and the poison stream of Venoshock missed him over his head, and popped up before he leapt with his strong legs. He did all this in one smooth, unbroken, move and formed a blade of darkness in his right forepaw as he did. He was on the hovering Mega Beedrill before it could react and slashed it across the face with the dark type move. It didn't trigger a critical hit this time, but it still hurt as Mega Beedrill buzzed angrily and flew back a few feet, but Greninja was wide open for the counter.
"Assurance!" Owen yelled. "It's hurt you, pay it back with double."
Double was an operative as like with the Payback earlier on Conkeldurr, the move may be twice as strong thanks to the earlier blow that Mega Beedrill had taken, but Greninja had a type that negated that, in this case his dark type negated the dark type attack. Thus, as Mega Beedrill buzzed forward and slammed it's leg stingers and its arm things into Greninja's chest all at the same time it did the same amount of damage it would have done on a Pokémon not resistant or weak to dark type moves. Still, it hurt Greninja, and he was tossed back to hit the ground hard and rolled over it.
"Keep pressing your advantage Beedrill." Owen said. "Venoshock again."
"Dodge and use Water Shuriken." Ash said but this time he didn't get the order off in time as the poison spewed forth from Mega Beedrill on an arc to him Greninja as he rolled on impact with the ground.
True to form, the poison washed over Greninja as he rolled hurting him but as he wasn't poisoned it wasn't as bad as it could be. Still, he had no resistance to it, so it added to the damage he had already taken. It was certainly impressive, however, and as he came to a stop and rose, wiping the purple poison off him, Greninja croaked to Ash. Ash grinned behind him as he knew what that meant.
"You're right Greninja, this is really pushing us, which means that we have to get stronger and stronger." Ash said as he felt their hearts become one once again. "Together, we will win this!"
At that a golden helix of light formed around Ash while a matching one formed around Greninja in front of him before they connected as the Battle Bond phenomenon was triggered. Then there was the sound of roaring waves as an intense water vortex shot up from around Greninja where he stood, reaching almost the ceiling of the gym before it burst and coalesced into ball of water on Greninja's back that morphing into the giant, 4-pointed, water shuriken after all the water formed there as the rest of Greninja changed slightly to take on similar traits of Ash. It only lasted seconds now that it was perfected and Ash-Greninja in his full glory stood there before Mega Beedrill.
"Amazing, it's just as Bonnie described it to Max and me but seeing it in person is something else." Owen said the awe clear in his voice while Professor Sycamore made more notes in the stands as he got a second chance to study the Battle Bond phenomenon. "We did it Beedrill and now we really can't back down from this fight. Poison Sting!"
"Evade it with Double Team." Ash said as Mega Beedrill shot at Ash-Greninja all three of its stingers glowing purple. "Then use Water Shuriken the moment you can Greninja."
Ash-Greninja croaked in agreement as he leapt up and forward before triggering his Double Team and suddenly several shadow clones of Ash-Greninja were formed around the approaching Mega Beedrill who looked confused at that but pressed on regardless. This was the advantage of Double Team and why Ash used it in a moment like this as it bought Ash-Greninja the time he needed to line up and land the Water Shuriken.
"Push through it, you will destroy them with your stinger as you fly." Owen said as Ash-Greninja reached to his shoulder and pulled off the Water Shuriken to throw it, the shadow clones and Ash himself mirroring the action.
Mega Beedrill buzzed angrily and shot around the clones trying to sting as many as possible and he got a good few before the shurikens came in and the real one collided with Mega Beedrill. That ended all the Double Team clones and the real Ash-Greninja landed behind Mega Beedrill as it shook off the blow and turned but it's Poison Sting had timed out.
"Night Slash." Ash said.
"Twineedle." Owen countered as Ash-Greninja formed two blades of dark type power this time and charged. "Evasive flying and then land it, you've trained against Obstagoon's Night Slash, you can do it Beedrill."
Mega Beedrill buzzed in agreement as it flew up to avoid the slash that Ash was mirroring and then down and to the side as it avoided another slash from the dark type attack. This changed Greninja was strong and fast, but Mega Beedrill had the mobility on it and could fly in almost any direction, so he dodged the slashes before finding the opening by feinting high only to go low and slam the two stingers in its legs into Ash-Greninja's side again.
As with before, the damage was really high thanks to its ability and Greninja's weakness to bug type attacks. To add to it all, this time the poisoning took hold as Ash grunted in pain and grabbed his sides feeling everything Ash-Greninja had just went through thanks to their bond.
Despite this, he managed to slash up with a slash that would have cut a human from hip to shoulder but on Mega Beedrill took Poison Bee Pokémon in the chest with the last of the Night Slash move as the opening for the move had finally appeared. This time the critical hit was triggered and Mega Beedrill buzzed in pain as he flipped back from the blow.
Ash-Greninja shuddered in pain from a bout of poisoning and knew he was starting to near his limit while Ash grimaced in the pain from feeling the poisoning as well. Still, both of them knew that they had it and Ash grinned through the pain.
"Double Team." Ash said and Ash-Greninja croaked and understood what to do as he charged forward, shadow clones suddenly appearing around him as he did. "And into Aerial Ace!"
"Venoshock." Owen said. "Greninja's been poisoned, this will down him."
Mega Beedrill buzzed at that as he corrected himself and sent out a gout of poison at the charging Ash-Greninjas, sweeping it and arching the move as all the Ash-Greninjas' hands began to glow. Ash was now looking through his Pokémon's eyes though and he ducked and weaved his body, the clones mirroring it as well but the one that was real was the one that was actually avoiding the poison spewing forth while several of the clones were ended and Ash clenched his fist as he ducked down and then punched up.
That was because at that very moment the real Ash-Greninja had reached the end and leapt in, fist clenched and glowing with flying type power. A second later it plowed into the underside of Mega Beedrill's jaw as the last of the clones vanished.
The super effective flying type attack was the final straw for Mega Beedrill, and it went limp as it arched backwards in a high arch from the blow while Ash-Greninja just flipped back in the wake of landing the attack. Both Pokémon landed on the ground at the same time, but Ash-Greninja landed on his feet before a sudden spasm of poisoning brough him and Ash to a knee while Mega Beedrill landed with a thump on it's back in front of Owen.
A second after it landed, swirls for eyes and limps splayed, the Mega Evolution fell to reveal a normal, battered, Beedrill there with swirls still for eyes. At the same time, Ash and Ash-Greninja rose and punched the air before the Battle Bond fell and Greninja returned to normal once more.
"Beedrill is unable to battle." Clemont declared raising his hand to Ash's side. "Greninja wins. As Owen is now out of Pokémon, the winner of this battle is Ash."
"Greninja return." Ash said just before another round of poisoning could hit his Pokémon and looking at the Poke Ball in his hand with a smile. "You did well but you are poisoned so take a break, we'll get you healed up soon, I promise. That was a good battle, all of you carried it for us and it was perfect training for the upcoming Lumiose Conference."
"Beedrill, return." Owen said a small smile on his face. "You were great my friend, to think we've come so far since I found you and nursed you back to health right after I arrived in Kalos, and we know that our bond is strong enough to allow you to Mega Evolve. That was fun and you've really gotten stronger. Take a rest, we tested ourselves against Ash and came up short but that was still a good battle."
"That it was." Ash said with a smile as he walked out and across the battlefield towards Owen who began to do the same as he put away Beedrill's Poke Ball. "Thanks for it, I really needed a good full battle training session to get the feel again. Next up is Dawn but not until after the Grand Festival"
"It was my pleasure to give you such a battle." Owen said they walked towards each other. "I've heard all the stories and faced you in some small battles this year but that was what I really wanted now that I have a fully evolved team on me. I may not have beaten most of your Pokémon, and you'll face a lot stronger in the Lumiose Conference I am sure, but it was still good fun to have a proper full battle with you."
"Any practice is good, and I got plenty with you." Ash said as they reached the center of the battlefield, and he held out his hand to Owen. "I'll learn from my mistakes here as well as my successes so that I'm stronger when the Conference rolls around in a few weeks."
"I look forward to watching you and Max in it." Owen said as they shook. "And I hope you two have a full battle late in the Conference so I can enjoy watching that as well."
"Same here." Ash said as they broke apart and turned to walk to the stands. "But I think it's time to watch Max battle, if he's up for it."
"Yeah, come on Max, you do want a full battle right?" May asked standing up and looking at her brother as Ash and Owen returned to the stands. "So how about facing me in one? I've never actually had a full battle myself so why not have my first one against my little brother."
"Really?" Max asked looking at his sister. "We've never battled before though."
"Yeah so now it's time for you to have one so you can practice, and I can show some skills to Serena in the process." May said heading down to the battlefield. "So, how about it? You've already beaten dad so why not see if you can beat me as well. Plus, you did just see Ash battle, don't you want to show off for him as well."
"When you put it like that, you're on." Max said as he grinned and followed May down to the battlefield while Ash and Owen returned to the stands to take their seats and watch the siblings battle, they could all discuss the battles afterwards. "I'll totally beat you May."
"Alright then the second full battle of the evening shall be May challenging her younger brother Max." Clemont said as the siblings took their spots and pulled out their first Poke Balls. "The same rules apply, is that ok?"
"Good with me." Max said with a grin.
"Same here." May said. "And I'm starting strong, can't hold anything back against you Max."
"So am I." Max said though he was hiding something that he was saving for only if he faced Ash in the Lumiose Conference. "So, bring it May."
"Alright then battle begin." Clemont said as everyone settled in for another full battle.
"Blaziken, on stage!" May said sending out her starter.
"Gardevoir, you're up!" Max said sending out his Poke Ball and getting the battle started. "Start us off with…"
Ah a nice little cliffhanger with no answer so y'all can decide how that battle will go. As for the main battle, it may not have been close in the end, but Owen did press Ash well in it which is just what he wanted, and Ash showed that he's still got it in a full battle so he's going to be ready for the Lumiose Conference though he still has a full battle with Dawn to have that will come in a future Supplement and be the penultimate one in this Supplement collection (there will be one for Hearts 5 as well though title is still unknown). The only thing left to say is to remind y'all that due to my change with fairy types there are still a few left to be confirmed and those are legendary and mythic Pokémon as well as a few like Hatterene who gain it upon evolution. Some have been confirmed like that, mainly Alolan Ninetales, Primarina and now the first stage for Hatterene though that was teased back in the Wallace Cup, but more will follow of course. The only Pokémon that isn't in one of these three categories that has added a fairy type that hasn't been confirmed in the Hearts Universe, in case you're wondering, is Mimikyu. Anyway, that is all I have for y'all so I will leave this Supplement off here. As always please continue favorite and follow both me and this story to keep abreast with new releases and keep the reviews coming. Until next time.
Stringdog