Well….. Wasn;t that a chapter? Probably one of my favorites. Being honest, when I said the goodbye between Ash, Brock, and Misty almost made me cry.. The ending of the last one ACTUALLY did it. Anyways, enough trauma, let's head over to the Pokemon League!
Pokemon is owned by Gamefreak and all Pokédex entries are from Bulbapedia.
"Butts"- Humans speaking
"Butts"- Pokemon speaking
'Butts'- thoughts
"Butts"-Pokedex entries/TV commentary
"Butts"- Telepathy/Aura speech
League Battle By Fire
The very next morning, Ash and his group were standing outside the Ketchum residence, Delia handing Ash his backpack. Prof. Oak stood by them with Sparky as Red, Vee, and Blacky came out of the house.
Misty: Well Ash, we're finally leaving for the Pokemon League. How do you feel?
Ash: To be honest, really REALLY nervous, but at the same time, really excited
Delia: Don;t worry, honey. It's only natural.
Red: I think you're just about ready. *chuckles* Reminds me of myself when I was your age.
Ash: *smiles* Thanks, Dad.
Prof. Oak: Remember Ash, always do your best. The Kanto League is nothing like gym battles, so prepare yourself.
Sparky: Yeah, and if you ever need Blacky, Hunter, or I…
Blacky: We're always a call away.
Cobalt: Thanks, guys.
Misty: Thanks a ton for letting us stay with you, Mama Delia.
Brock: You really helped us a lot.
Delia: *hugs Misty* No need to thank me, sweetie. After all, you're family. And Brock, you've done a lot. *to Cobalt and Green* Bye, you two. Take care of my boy, okay?
Cobalt: *salutes* Caro!
Green: *nods* Sceptile.
Ash: Come on, guys, let's go!
Nodding, both Cobalt and Green followed Ash and the others as Azula and Kestrel walked along with them, joining the three humans in waving the others off as they fina;y reached city limits. Now, with our heroes leaving Pallet Town, they head off to the Indigo Plateau, home of the Kanto Pokemon League.
Cobalt: Hey, I just realized… Oak said something about Kanto having a Pokemon League… Does that mean other regions have one, too?
Ash: Of course. There are trainers all over the world, so of course every region has a League.
Azula: Wouldn't it be cool if we went to other regions? You know, once we beat this League?
Ash: Hmm, you know.. That would be a cool idea to check out other regions.
Brock: Other regions? Admittedly, that would be pretty cool to do.
Misty: *sighs* I've always wanted to try going to Kalos. I heard it's beautiful.
Ash: Yeah…. Kalos…..
At the mention of the region, Ash looked up to the sky, as if he was remembering something… More specifically, SOMEONE…..
—-
Meanwhile, in another region, a smal bird Pokemon with a red head and black tail feathers landed on the windowsill of a house, where it greeted a woman cutting some type of vegetables.
?: Good morning, Grace.
Woman: *pets Pokemon* Hello, Fletchling. *looks up* Fletchling, wake up Serena for me, won;t you?
Fletchling: Didn;t you try already?
Grace: Of course I did, TWICE. But as usual, twice is never enough.
Fletchling: Gotcha. Don;t worry, I'll handle it.
The bird then flew out of the kitchen and eventually up a starcase, where it struggled to squeeze through a door before flying into a pink bedroom. In the bed lay a sleeping honey blonde girl with fair skin and currently wearing pink and purple jammies. This was Serena Garbena, Kanto native and daughter of famous Rhyhorn racer, Grave Garbena.
Fletchling: Serena! Serena, time to wake up… *reels* Wake… UP!
The bird then pecks hard onto Serena's forehead, causing the girl to awaken and yell in pain, opening her blue eyes as she looks around, before scowling at the robin.
Serena: Fletchling! I thought I told you a million times NOT to wake me up like that!
Fletchling: Well, you wouldn't wake up. *joking* You're just lucky I don;t know Thunderbolt.
Serena sighed, knowing the bird was right before going over to the window, opening it to show a Rhyhorn lounging in a dog house right in front of her house.
Serena: Morning, Ryley!
Ryley: Morning, Sweetie!
The girl waved to the Rock type before looking out the window, allowing letchling to go out for a fly. She let out a breath she didn;t know she was holding, an excitement for tomorrow building before her mother chimed out from downstairs.
Grace: Serena! Time for Rhyhorn training!
Serena: *annoyed* Right~!... *sighs* Just one more day… And then it's time.
—-
It took the group almost all day to traverse through the route connecting Viridian City to the Indigo Plateau. Though they didn;t exactly make it to the League as they decided to stop in a large area, filled with houses and buildings and in the streets, trainers stood and chatted left and right.
Azula: Woah, talk about lively.
Cobalt: What is this place?
Ash: This is the Pokemon League Village, it's a small town where all the qualifying Trainers stay during the competition. It's got its very own Pokémon Center, multiple item shops, and several different restaurants.
Brock: And I bet Gary beat us here.
Misty: Good chance he did, he did leave yesterday. Come on, let's get Ash registered.
Ash and the others made it to a small hut, where several clerks were talking to many lines of people. Luckily, one was only filled with one person, so they decided to join that line. However, the voice registering seemed familiar, as did the Espeon and Umbreon.
Clerk: There you go, you're all set. *hands over keys* Your hut is number 46.
?: Thanks.
The boy turned around, almost bumping into Ash, before stopping, revealing himself to be Wes, the white haired teen Ash met at Saffron's Psychic school
Wes: Sorry about that. I- Ash?
Ash: Wes, it's you!
Wes: Hey, man, it's been a while. Misty, Brock, good to see you.
Misty: Hi, Wes.
Brock: How've you been?
Wes: Just great, I managed to get my last badge a few months back and after some intense training, I'm ready for the Pokemon League.
Ash: Well, I'm about to enter too.
Wes: Well, best of luck to you.
The teen and his partners walked off to a small sitting area, allowing Ash to go up to the desk.
Ash: Hi, I'd like to finalize my place in the Indigo Conference, please.
Clerk: Of course, please give me your Pokedex.
Nodding, Ash handed over his Pokedex to the clerk, who inserted it into a sort of flashdrive jack and typed on her computer.
Pokedex: Ashton Ketchum's place in the Indigo Plateau Pokemon League has been finalized. Number of Pokemon caught; 11. Number of badges collected; 8. We wish you the best of luck.
The clerk then took out the Pokedex before handing it back to Ash, along with a small set of keys.
Clerk: All set. And here are the keys to your hut; number 82.
Ash thanked the clerk as he and the group went off to rejoin Wes, only to be surprised by another familiar face.
Ash: Goh!
Indeed sitting next to Wes was Ash's old friend Goh, who had Zina, their Pikachu, on their shoulder and sitting next to them was a small rabbit Pokemon with grey head fur, orange fur that resembled a hoodie, and what seemed to be a yellow headband around its head.
Goh: Hey, Ash!
Goh got up, clasping their hand with Ash's as Zina jumped down to greet Cobalt and Green.
Zina: Hi!
Ash: Hi, Zina Good seeing you.
Ash leaned down, steeling the courage to scratch the Pikachu behind the ear, which caused her to coo in delight.
Cobalt: Goh, it's good to see you.
Green: You and Wes still traveling together?
Goh: Yeah, it's been pretty fun since we left Saffron. Not much happened, but it was fun.
Wes blushed at the compliment as Ash looked over, getting a good look at the rabbit Pokemon as it ate a berry.
Ash: *takes out Pokedex* Is that…?
Pokedex: Raboot, the Rabbit Pokémon and the evolved form of Scorbunny. A Fire type. Raboot has fluffy fur that protects it from the cold and lets it use stronger Fire-type moves.
Brock: Woah, Kixx evolved?
Goh: Yep, it happened during Wes's battle with Erika. He got really fired up and evolved while we watched the match…. But no, he's turned emo.
As Ash rolled his eyes and placed a suppring hand on his shoulder, everyone sat down as they caught up. But suddenly, a very thickly accented voice called out to them.
?: Well, well, well. Look wha' the Persian hacked up. Been a long time, nerd.
Ash's dark eyes snapped up to meet a pair of bright blue ones, causing him to frown and his two starters to growl at the sight of someone he wished to never see again.
Ash: Damian… What are you doing here?
Damian: Not tha' it's any business of yours, bu' I'm 'ere ta enter the Indigo Conference an' win become tha' master tha' you think you're gonna be. So, I'm curious, you go' that wimpy 'lil Charm'nder with you?
Ash gritted his teeth. He could feel Aiden's Pokeball pulsing against his side.
Ash: Wimpy?! I'll have you know that-
The ten year old boy caught himself, then smirked. This was the perfect opportunity to get back at Damian for how badly he'd treated Aiden so long ago,
Ash: No, I don't have Charmander anymore. I've got an even stronger fire Pokemon now. 'Easy Aiden, we'll get him back. I promise.'
Damian: I knew tha' 'lil lizard was a useless Pokemon, 's a good thing I go' rid of it when I did.
Ash: Even with Charmander, I could beat you in a battle with my eyes shut. You're still just a second rate trainer and you know it.
The blunet growled and glared daggers at Ash. Ash smirked, his plan was working.
Damian: Wha'd you say, Shrimp? Wanna put your money where your mouth is? Let's battle, then. Sunrise, on the training grounds. Five on five type battle. Winner gets all the loser's money an' badges. I'll even be a nice guy an' let you decide wha' types. Deal?
Ash: You're on.
Damian smirked as he walked off, letting Ash sit down as Cobalt andGreen glared at the boy as he left.
Wes: Uh….. What just happened?
—-
Misty: *dumbfounded* Ash, are you crazy?! I hate the guy too, but how could you bet all of your badges like that?... Are you even listening to me?!
In the hut they were given, Ash lay on his back, oblivious to Misty's yelling. One hand pillowed the back of his head, while he held Aiden's pokeball in front of him with the other. Without a word, he stood up from the bed and trudged out of the room, the rest of his team at his heels and leaving Misty and Brock confused.
Azula: So, who was that guy, anyway? And what's up with Ash?
Cobalt: Oh yeah, you and Kestrel don;t know… *frowns* His name's Damian AKA the worst human I ever met.
Green: We met him a long time ago, right around when Ash got his second badge. He was Aiden's original trainer.
Kestrel: "Original trainer"?
Ash: Uh huh. He abandoned Aiden when he was just a Charmander, and left him to die.
Azula: What?!
Cobalt: Yeah. Damian told him that he'd come back for him and left Aiden on a rock on the side of the road. After a little while, Aiden pieced that Damian didn;t vcare about him and he joined us.
Azula: *appaled* That's terrible.
Green: I know. But, we were able to get Aiden away from him, and that's what really matters. And as for what's going on with Ash, I guess seeing Damian again brought back his anger for the way the jerk had treated Aiden.
Ash stopped as he sat on a bench in the Village Park. The sun had almost set, painting the water vivid lavenders and fuchsias, corals and lilacs. He made sure he was a few miles away from the hut, out of view from any prying eyes. His Pokemon sat next to him, staring up at their trainer with worried eyes.
Kestrel: Are you okay, Ashy?
Ash :...*smiles* I'm okay, Kestrel. Really, I just needed to clear my head.
He stood and rotated his shoulder, rolling out the kinks, and pulled Aiden's pokeball off of his belt. He tossed it into the air, and the giant flying lizard appeared in a flash of white light. Aiden looked at Ash with eyes filled with confusion and anger. Not anger at Ash, he realized, but at Damian.
Aiden: I can't believe he's actually here! After what he did to me! He,... He… UGH!
Ash: I know, buddy. I know… I think we need to show Damian what an idiot he was to treat you like he did. What do you think?
The Charizard looked at his trainer before smiling and letting out a roar of approval, flames streaming out of its open jaws. Aiden's wings spread out wide as he prepared to take off into the skies, but Ash quickly ran in front of him and splayed his arms out wide in an effort to stop him.
Ash: Wait a minute! I know you wanna go get him, Aiden, but that's the wrong way to handle it.
Cobalt: Weren;t you one to jump in front of a Thunerbolt to save me when we first met?
Ash: …*sheepishly* Okay, I know, I can be a bit impulsive, but I think hurting his pride is going to be more painful to him than hurting him physically.
Aiden: ….You're right. It'll be way more satisfying to show he was wrong about me instead of ripping his intestine out. So, what's our plan?
Ash: *smirks* Alright, here's what we do…
For the rest of the day, they talked to the rest of the party, strategizing battle plans before calling it a night. The next day, a few hours before the League's opening ceremony, Ash, Misty, and Brock were waiting on the village's training ground just before sunrise when Damian arrived.
Damian: So eager ta lose, aren' ya?
Ash: I'm not the one who's going to lose today, Damian.
Damian: Alrigh'. Enough chit chat, how're we gonna do this?
Ash: I'm thinking…. Water, Grass, Ghost, Steel, and Fire, in that order. Sound good to you?
Damian: Whateva, let's jus' ge' this over wit' then. I wanna get ta the finals before I turn inta an ol' geezer.
Ash: *mocks Damian* So eager ta lose, aren' ya?
Damian: *growls* Shut up and call yer first Pokemon already.
Ash: If you insist. *throws Pokeball* Go, Azula!
Ash's Inteleon hopped out and landed on the battlefield, glaring at the trainer as he threw his own Pokeball.
Damian: Palpitoad, yer up!
Damian sent out a large ovoid Pokemon with a blue body and a light blue tail. It had no arms and small feet, along with a large black and blue bump on its head. It croahed aggressively at Azula as Ash got out his Pokedex.
Ash quickly pulled out his Pokedex.
Pokedex: Palpitoad, the Vibration Pokémon. A Water and Ground type. Palpitoad's long, sticky tongue is used to capture prey. When they vibrate the bumps on their heads, they can make waves in water or earthquake-like vibrations on land.
Ash: Whoa…
Damian: Impressed, are ya? Quit gawkin' and start battlin'!
Ash: Shut up, Damian! Azula, use Snipe Shot!
Damian: Palpitoad, use Water Pulse!
Azula fired off small shots of water as Palpitoad spat a glowing water ball at Azula. The blasts met in the center of the battleground and exploded on impact. As the dust cleared, neither looked like they had taken any damage. Ash grinned cheekily at the disappointed look on Damian's face.
Ash: What's the matter? Scared?
Damian: Not on yer life, nerd. Palpitoad, Iron Tail!
Ash: Meet it with Liquidation!
Palpitoad's tail began glowing a metallic silver as it swung at Azula, who tried to strike it with her water-covered hands. The Vibration Pokemon spun around sharply and slammed its tail into Azula's side, making her cry out as she managed to strike Palpitoad.
Ash: Azula! Are you okay?
Azula: *groans* That smarts.
Damian and Palpitoad laughed at this.
DamianWha' a wimp! Hurt by jus' one Iron Tail attack? If all of yer Pokemon are as weak as this one it's amazin' tha' you managed ta win eight badges! The Gym Leaders must've taken pity on ya or somethin', Let's end this then, shall we? Palpitoad, Iron Tail one more time!
Palpitoad jumped high into the air as it charged its tail again. To gain momentum and speed, it began somersaulting in mid-air.
Ash: We're not going to fall for that again. Azula, Surf!
Just before the attack hit, Azula summoned a wave which she rode atop, easily entrapping the Palpitoad within.
Ash: Ice Beam!
The Inteleon froze the wave with an Ice Beam, coating the wave in ice and freezing the Palpitoad solid.
Damian: *growls* You….
Ash: Now, Azula! Finish it with Liquidation!
With a strong leap, Azula used Liquidation once more, breaking the frozen wave and striking the Palpitoad within straight in its stomach. Palpitoad flew about ten feet and fell onto its back, not getting up.
Brock: Palpitoad can no longer battle, Azula wins!
Ash: Way to go, Azula! You were awesome!
Azula gave him a thumbs up as she walked back to Ash. Damian sent Ash a scowl as he recalled his Palpitoad, his glare then turning to the Pokeball in his hand.
Damian: Useless….
Ash glowered back at him, angry at the way he was being disrespectful towards his Pokemon, before sending out his next one.
Ash: Green, I choose you!
Damian: Victreebel! Get out here!
The Sceptile went forth as Damian let out a large yello plant with a leaf covering its mouth and a pointed vine trailing behind it. Damian didn't even wait for a signal to begin.
Damian: Razor Leaf!
Ash: counter with Leaf Storm!
The two attacks collided and cancelled each other out with another giant explosion.
Ash: Now Green, use Leaf Blade!
Damian: Razor Leaf again!
Green dodged the leaves from Victreebel as he then slashed the Flycatchr Pokemon, but the attack bounced off just before they could make contact due to an orange barrier.
Ash: What?
Damian: Confused, runt? Ever heard of the move Reflect?
Ash: Use Earthquake!
Green slammed his tail onto the ground, shaking the ground under Victrebel and making it topple over.
Damian: Victreebel, use Poison Jab!
Victreebel's eyes sharpened as the pointed tip of its vine glowed purple and jabbed Green in the side. Much to Ash's terror, Green gained a purple blush, having been poisoned.
Ash: No! Green, you have to fight it! Use Dragon Rush!
As soon as he got over the poison damage, Green coated himself in blue energy before charging forward, the energy taking the form of a dragon as he charged.
Damian: Oh no ya don't! Victreebel, Venoshock!
While Green was so focused on going on with his attack, he had no way to dodge the Venoshock as it hit him straight in the face, doing more damage due to him being poisoned. When the dust cleared, the energy around Green dissipated… and Green was knocked out.
Brock: Green is unable to battle, Victreebel wins!… Sorry, Ash.
Ash ran out onto the field and knelt before his injured Pokemon.
Ash: No! Green, are you okay?
Green: *strained* Yeah, I'll live… Sorry I lost, pal.
Ash: It's not your fault. I'm the one who was careless, Victreebel's part Poison-type. I shouldn't have been so reckless. I'm sorry.
Bulbasaur shook its head and jokingly slapped Ash upside the head. The young trainer couldn't help but chuckle.
Ash: Okay, you're right. I won't blame myself if you don't blame yourself.
Green: Deal.
Cobalt helped his brother to his feet as he got off the field, Brock handing him a Pecha Berry to cure his poison. Ash smiled at his starter before standing up and facing Damian, who had already recalled his Pokemon. The boy with the obsidian hair unclipped a new Pokeball from his belt and tossed it into the air.
Ash: Go, Yami!
In a flash of light, Ash's ghost type chuckled. But when he spotted Damian, his smile disappeared and he growled at the trainer, who scoffed and threw another Pokeball.
Damian: Misdreavus, get out here!
Damian's Pokemon was shown as a floating greenish-blue head with wavy hair marked with lavender tips, red and yellow eyes, and red jewels around its neck. It chuckled at the Gengar while Ash scanned it.
Pokedex: Misdreavus, the Screech Pokémon. A Ghost type. Misdreavus frightens people with a creepy, sobbing cry. It apparently uses its red spheres to absorb the fearful feelings of foes and turn them into nutrition.
Ash: Yami, start off with a Shadow Ball!
The Shadow Pokémon affirmed with a nod and opened his mouth, firing a ball of darkness at the opponent.
Damian: Misdreavus, Light Screen!
The Screech Pokemon encapsulated itself inside of a box of yellow energy, which the ball hit. Misdreavus flinched a bit, but chuckled anyway.
Misty: Misdreavus took Yami's Shadow Ball! But that should've been super effective!
Brock: That's because Light Screen is a move that reduces the damage taken by special attacks. Shadow Ball's a special attack, so Misdreavus barely felt it.
Cobalt: But Ghost types specialize in special attacks.
Green: Yami's in real trouble.
Damian: Now Misdreavus, use Psybeam!
Misdreavus' eyes then glowed as the orb on its body fired a purple beam at Yami.
Ash: Lapras, get out of the way quick, use Phantom Force!
Yami quickly followed his trainer's instructions and disappeared into the shadows, where Yami then emerged from Misdreavus and struck, inflicting supereffective damage.
Ash: Great job! Now, try another Shadow Ball!
Yami sent out another Shadow Ball, this time the Light Screen was broken, able to do fll damage against Misdreavus.
Ash: Awesome! Now, use Slidge Bomb!
Damian: No' so fast. *smirks* Misdreavus, Will-O-Wisp.
Suddenly, Misdreavus summoned multiple small blue flames, which scattered and targeted Yami. He tried to dodge, but one managed to hit him, making him cry out with a burn.
Ash: What the-?! How did Misdreavus know a Fire-type move!?
Damian: My Pokemon know a lot of tricks!
Ash: Yami, you have to avoid whatever he dishes out! Use Sludge Bomb!
Damian: Light Screen!
The Sludge Bomb hit Misdreavus's Light Screen, reducing the damage, but not saving it from the poison.
Ash: Okay, Yami! Now Venoshock!
Yami was about to use Venoshock, but instead he used Phantom Force to gain more height. The Gengar cried out in pain of his burn before Yami's eyes glowed, sending out two bolts of black energy surrounded by purple rings.
Misty: What's that?
Brock: That's Hex! Yami must've just learned it!
Damian: Nuh uh, not this time! Misdreavus, you use Hex too!
Misdreavs fired its own Hex from its orbs as both attacks struck the other, sending theme both to the ground. As the dust cleared, both were still standing… before Yami gasped and fell over, becoming unconscious.
Brock: Yami is unable to battle, Misdreavus wins!
Ash: Yami, return! *recalls Yami* You did great, buddy. Now take a nice long rest.
The raven haired boy turned his head to the side, and with a nod, Cobalt jumped onto the field.
Damian: Really, you still wanna ba'le? Don' ya know I alreaty beat two of yur Pokemon.
Ash: Oh yeah? Remember who beat your Palpitoad?
Damian: *growls* You just got a lucky break! Besides, tha' Palpitoad was weak.
Ash: …*frowns* You haven't changed at all, Damian. You still think Pokemon are just tools used for battling. You're the pathetic one. Well, I'm gonna show you how a Pokemon's bond with its trainer brings out its real power.
Damian: Oh, blah, blah, blah. Spare me the sentimental rubbish. Jus' one more win an' I get all of yer money an' yer badges! *throws Pokeball* Go, Forretress!
The Pokeball opened to release some sort of red Pokemon hidden between two shiny shells as a pair of eyes laid on the Pokemon's side, along with four cylindrical spikes, each tapering to an open point.
Pokedex: Forretress, the Bagworm Pokémon. A Bug and Steel type. Forretress conceals itself inside its hardened steel shell. The shell is opened when the Pokémon is catching prey, but it does so at such a quick pace that the shell's inside cannot be seen.
Ash: *growls* Alright, you asked for it! Cobalt, use Force Palm!
Damian: Pin Missile, Forretress!
Multiple energy spikes fired out of Forretress's tendrils, which Cobalt leapt over, slamming a Force Palm onto Forretress' top.
Cobalt: Too slow, Shellhead!
Ash: Good job! Now, use Aura Sphere!
The jackal launched a blue energy ball at Forretress, knocking the Bagworm Pokemon into the ground with a thud.
Damian: Wha' the…get up, ya lazy piece of scrap metal, and use yer Gyro Ball!
Ash: Cobalt, use Force Palm again!
He easily dodged the spinning attack as well, circling the evolved Pokemon so fast that it started to make it dizzy before slamming it again.
Damian: Forretress! Shake it off and use Rapid Spin!
With a speed faster than either Ash or Cobalt anticipated, a spinning red and silver mass slammed into Cobalt, causing him to cry out in shock. With a quick shake, however, Cobalt snapped out of the attack, glaring at Forretress with a smirk on its face. Damian looked dumbfounded.
Damian: Wha'? Tha's impossible! How can tha' mutt take on an attack like tha' and still be standin'?
Ash: It's really simple, Damian. Cobalt is a Lucario, which is a Steel AND Fighting type. Nirmal type moves like Rapid Spin do next to nothing.
Damian: No way!
Ash: Cobalt, let's show them a real Steel attack. Use Steel Beam!
Cobalt charged a small silver ball in one paw before sending it forward, making the ball shoot a beam of energy aimed directly at Forretress. The Bagworm Pokemon was engulfed in the attack,making it fumble and wobble in place. It only lasted a few moments, but that was more than enough, Forretress dropped to the ground with swirls replacing its pupils while Cobalt flinched due to the recoil damage.
Brock: Forretress is out of the match. The winner is Cobalt.
Cobalt: How's that for a mutt?.. Bitch!
He then flipped Damian off as he casually sauntered back over to Ash and leapt out of the battlefield, high-fiving his trainer on the way out.
Misty: So now both of them are tied at two wins a piece and down to their last Pokemon. The Fire-types.
Damian was giving Ash the most hateful glare imaginable, but Ash only smirked in response. They both unclipped their final Pokeballs from their belts and held them at the ready. The ball in the red-capped trainer's hand was pulsing and vibrating to the point where it nearly jumped out of his grasp.
Damian: Looks like yer Pokemon doesn' wanna fight me. Is it scared? It should be. *throws Pokeball* Go, Incineroar!
From Damian's Pokeball jumped a bipedal tiger Pokemon with black and red fur with what seemed to be a belt made of fire around its waist. As the cat growled and flexed its muscles, Ash cringed and scanned it.
Pokedex: Incineroar, the Heel Pokémon. A Fire and Dark type. Incineroar belts intense blasts from the belt of fire around its hips. Although it's rough mannered and egotistical, it finds beating down unworthy opponents boring. It gets motivated for stronger opponents.
Ash: *shudders, then frowns* Not even close! My Pokemon has been waiting a long time to see you again, Damian. Say hello to an old friend! Go, Aiden!
The Pokeball burst open and a giant, orange, dragon-like Pokemon erupted from the light with a mighty roar. Damian took a step back in shock.
Damian: Tha'- tha's not…
Ash: *smirks* Oh, yes it is. Say hello to Charmander…well… As he would go by without his nickname, Charizard.
Damian: That…. That lil' Charm'nder was a weaklin'. Not even worth the effort ta train! There's no way tha' it coulda evolved! Tha's not the same one!
Ash: Oh, really? Aiden seems to know you pretty well.
The glare that Aiden fixed Damian with was filled with pure hatred. A hatred that could only be built up after years of abuse. The blunet gulped audibly as a chill ran down his spine. He took a shaky step back as the giant lizard stared him down. Without warning, Aiden threw its head back and let out a deafening screech, a long stream of flames bursting from its open maw. Ash just stood back with his arms crossed over his chest and an even wider smirk on his face.
Ash: Have you finally realized that you can't win? Want to give up now and save yourself the embarrassment?
Cobalt: ….Green….. I'm scared.
Green: Me too.
Damian stopped shivering and scowled at Ash.
Damian: There ain't no way I'm gonna lose to a pipsqueak like you. If tha' is the same Charm'nder, then it can't be all tha' powerful, even in its evolved state. Yer so goin' down. Incineroar, use Throat Chop!
With a speed almost rivaling Cobalt's, the tiger took off like a bullet, heading right towards Aiden with a hand ready to chop. Aiden stood, unfazed, as the Heel Pokemon drew closer with each passing second. Just before Incineroar was about to attack-
Ash: Fly.
Charizard was immediately up in the air and Incineroar fell over due to momentum. The feline looked up as Aiden let out a chuckle as he hovered above Incineroar, flapping its wings lazily, arms crossed just like its trainer. Damian growled.
Damian: Stupid, overgrown lizard… Incineroar, Fire Blast!
Ash: Damian, I'm about to give you a lesson in humility. Aiden, dodge it and use Flamethrower.
Aiden easily maneuvered around the attack in a barrel roll as a stream of fire erupted from its mouth, with Incineroar now engulfed in the blaze. Once the fire and smoke cleared, all that was visible was a lump of black fur. Incineroar shook the soot from its coat, though parts were still singed and frayed from the heat. The Pokemon coughed out a few puffs of smoke. Charizard landed in the ground with a thud just a few feet away from Incineroar, baring its fangs, as white steam poured out of its nostrils.
Ash: Aiden, Seismic Toss!
Damian: Darkest Lariat, Incineroar!
With one flap of its mighty wings, the dragon was sailing towards its opponent, only to have it slip through its claws at the last second and be struck in the stomach by the spinning Incineroar.
Damian: Hone Claws!
Ash: Use Air Slash!
Incineroar's claws lengthened as it spun, increasing its attacks as Aiden summoned blades of air from his wings to hit it. When the dust cleared, the two fire Pokemon were staring each other down. Incineroar seemed to have taken more damage, panting heavily as it stood on shaky legs. Parts of its coat were still matted and charred from the Flamethrower attack earlier. Aiden, however, was not really injured that much at all. He wasn't breathing heavily, and there was only a slight sheen of sweat covering his body.
Damian: Let's finish this thing! Fire Spin!
Ash: Flamethrower!
Both Pokemon released a fiery inferno from their maws. The attacks crashed into each other in the center of the field, creating a giant, flaming tornado. The high temperature was almost unbearable, but neither trainer so much as flinched.
Damian: Push harder, you mangy, red furball!
Ash's voice was calmer, but just as fierce.
Ash: Come on, Aiden! Let's turn up the heat! Full power!
Aiden's jaws opened a little wider and the stream of flames grew a little stronger and hotter. It pushed the cyclone of fire closer to Incineroar inch by inch. Soon enough, the Heel Pokemon was once again surrounded by flames, unable to escape.
Damian: No bloody way!
Damian gaped as the flames disappeared, showing Incineroar laying on its side, eyes closed. Incineroar was knocked out.
Brock: Incineroar can no longer battle, Aiden wins. Which means Ash is the victor.
Ash casually strolled up to the lizard Pokemon and placed his hands on his hips, smiling proudly as he scratched Aiden's neck affectionately.
Ash: Great job, Aiden. I knew you could do it.
Aiden: Thanks, Ash.
Damian: No…no…no… *crouches, clutches head* This ain't possible. My Pokemon are stronger…they're better…how could I lose ta a runt like him…how?
Ash: *sighs* You just don't get it, do you, Damian? A Pokemon's power is only as strong as the connection it has with its trainer. You have no respect for your Pokemon. Without that bond, your Pokemon will never reach their full potential.
Misty: Wow, Ash sounds really mature right now.
Brock: *smiles* When it comes to the relationship between Pokemon and trainer, I think Ash is the leading authority on it.
Ash: Listen, I'm not going to take your money or your badges. I didn't challenge you for that. I hate you for what you did to Aiden, and I wanted Aiden to get a chance to give back a little bit of the pain you caused it. I also did it so I could show you that Pokemon aren't just tools for fighting. I won this battle because I worked with my Pokemon, as a team.
Damian just sat there, unresponsive while Ash reached a hand out to help him up,
Ash: Why don't you give it a try?
Damian looked up to Ash's extended hand, which he shakily reaches for… Only for Damian to smack Ash's hand away and spring to his feet, glaring daggers at him.
Damian: Shut up already with that mushy Tauros-crap! Yer givin' me a damn headache!
Ash: But, Damian-
Damian: I said, shut up! *shoves Ash* Stay the 'ell away from me! You don't know anythin' abou' me! Yer wrong! Pokemon are only good fer battlin', an' losers ain't worthy of bein' on my team.
He walked over to the still injured Incineroar and pulled three Pokeballs from his belt. Forretress and Palpitoad were released from their balls. The accented boy dropped the Pokeballs on the ground… Three cracks sound out, revealing Damian had stomped down hard on the Pokeballs, smashing them to pieces. Everyone gasped at the scene as he yelled at the three injured Pokemon.
Damian: I don' wan' you pitiful Pokemon anywhere near me! Beat it! Scram! Get lost! I neva wanna see ya again! Ya 'ere me?!
Ash: Damian, what the hell is wrong with you?!
The boy with the cockney accent stalked towards the black-haired boy, eyes in a fiery rage, a snarl curling his lips. Damian's fist suddenly collided with Ash's face, knocking him to the ground. Misty gasped as her younger brother was knocked down and Cobalt and Green helped him up, growling at the boy.
However, Aiden's vision turned red. With an enraged roar, he flew towards Damian. A white glow surrounded it, and the fire lizard hit the boy in the gut with a powerful and improved Mega Kick. Damian cried out in agony as he felt some of his ribs crack from the force of the blow. He landed in the dirt about twenty feet away, moaning in pain.
Aiden: Never. Talk to him. AGAIN!
Ash sat up with a dazed look on his face, absently rubbing his sore cheek. Looking back and forth between Aiden and Damian, it took him a moment to register what had actually happened. He blinked a few times to let the realization sink in. He stared at the dragon-like Pokemon for a moment, who tilted its head at him.
Cobalt: DUDE!
Aiden: What?
?: What in the world is going on here?!
The group looked over, spotting Nurse Joy approaching.
Brock: Nurse Joy!
Nurse Joy: I heard a giant explosion and came to see- *shocked* Oh my!
Her eyes darted from Ash, who was sitting on the ground, tending to the bruise forming on his cheek, to Aiden, Azula, and Green holding a protective stance in front of their trainer as they glared at Damian, to Damian, laying on the ground as he moaned in pain.
Nurse Joy: What happened?
Misty: It's a…. Long story…
—-
Later on at the village hospital, the red light above the Emergency door turned off with a ping and the doors slid open, revealing Nurse Joy, along with a burly blond man in a white doctor's lab coat.
Doctor: Damian is going to make a full recovery, though he will be sore for a few weeks. Your Charizard really did a number on his ribs.
The older man sighed, though he didn't sound very upset about it. After hearing how the blunet got injured, his lack of sympathy was understandable.
Nurse Joy: Though he will be disqualified from the tournament. Apparently he tricked the registration system with fake badges. So thnakfiully, we have another spot open.
No one could respond, still too shocked with the events that had occurred just a few hours earlier. The group looked over at the three now trainer-less Pokemon, now fully healed, as they stared through the glass window leading outside.
Cobalt: What are we going to do about them?
Ash: *angrily* Damian abandoned them…just like Aiden…we can't just leave them!
Incineroar, Forretress, and Palpitoad jumped and stared at Ash in surprise. Misty looked like she was about to cru as she clenched her eyes shut and fisted her hands in her lap.
Misty: Those poor things…. How can Damian be so cruel and heartless?
She felt a tap on her leg and looked up to find Palpitoad standing next to her with a hopeful smile. The other two Pokemon stood a few feet behind, looking at the group unsurely, but intrigued.
Brock: I think the Pokemon are starting to understand that, Misty.
Brock looked down to see Forretress inching closer, he smiled as he knelt down and reached a hand out, allowing the Bagworm Pokemon to nuzzle it. Misty, taking her cue from Brock, gently patted Palpitoad on the head, the Vibration Pokemon smiled wider as it croaked and hopped gleefully in place. With a soft smile, Ash walked over to the only Pokemon left, and ran his hand along Incineroar's shoulder, well aware from first-hand experience how temperamental fire Pokemon could be. However, the tger Pokemon closed its eyes and let out a contented purr.
Green: So…what now?
Nurse Joy: Why don't you take them with you? After all, I think they've grown rather attached to you.
Without hesitation, both Brock and Misty pulled empty Pokeballs out of their packs and caught Forretress and Palpitoad, respectively. Ash glanced at the dragon's Pokeball on his belt before looking at Incineroar, who seemed to be staring at him expectantly. He already had Aiden. He didn't need another Fire-type Pokemon. Then again, there was Sparky…..
?: If you would be okay with it, I could take him…
The group looked over, eyes widening in shock as they spotted another familiar bluenette walk up to them.
Cobalt: James!
Ash: What are you doing here?
James: Well, I'm like you, *teasingly* twerp. Following you everywhere, even if I have to get 8 badges to prove it.
Brock: *surprised* You collected 8 gym badges?
James: Yup. Been training for a while while jessie, Meowth and I balanced some odd jobs to make ends meet. Anyway, I can take that…. Uh….
Ash: Incineroar.
James: Incineroar, right.
Green: Why? I thought you had Growlie.
James: Yes, but it's not for me, it's for Jessie. Her birthday's coming up and I'd like to get her something special. And a special Pokemon seems like just the right thing. *to Incineroar* So, what do you say, friend? Would you like to meet my friend and join her team?
The tiger thought it over a little, before looking at James and smiled, speaking to reveal that it was a female.
Incineroar: Sure, I'd love too
James: Well then, I guess we'll see about Jessie adding you to her roster. *to Ash* And I guess we'll see YOU on the battlefield.
Ash: *chuckles* Right. May the best trainer win.
James nodded and chuckled back as he and the Incineroar left the hospital, going off to find the man's friends.
Brock: Speaking of the battlefield, you better get going, Ash. The opening ceremony must be close to starting.
Ash: *nods* Right.
He nodded as he, Cobalt, and Green ran, Azula still resting in her ball and Cobalt carrying Kestrel as they made their way to the stadium with Misty and Brock behind them.
Ash: *sighs* What a day… *chuckles* We sure showed Damian, didn't we?
Cobalt: Yep. That'll probably teach Damian to think twice on something like this.
Green: You okay, Ash?
Ash: I don't know. I mean, I guess I am. After all of the trouble we've been through, I'm still a bit shocked that we saw that guy again. It's been a long time, and I'm glad we took care of it.
Soon enough, they stopped running as they made it to the sight of Kanto's Pokemon League conference; the Indigo Plateau. As Brock and Misty went off to the audience entrance, the three went over to what was designated as the entrance for competitors, standing outside and just letting the fact sink in.
Cobalt: Well…. We made it. The Pokemon League. *to Ash* You nervous?
Ash: To be honest…. Definitely. *smiles* But with you guys at my side, we're gonna be unstoppable!
Ash's grin was so wide that it nearly split his face in two. Cobalt and Green beamed back at him as they then took their first step together towards Ash's next step into fulfilling his dream of truly becoming a Pokemon master.
TO BE CONITNUED….
—-
Ash's Team
Lucario: Cobalt
Sceptile: Green
Alakazam: Psi
Gengar: Yami
Charizard: Aidan
Inteleon: Azula
Togepi: Kestrel
Rotom: Sparky (at Oak's lab)
Umbreon *shiny*: Blacky (at home)
Lycanroc *Dusk form*: Hunter (at Oak's lab)
Misty's Team
Staryu
Psyduck: Perry
Gyarados: Mel (Malestrom)
Squirtle: Loki
Golisopod: Harold
Butterfree: Alex
Horsea: Jeff (at gym)
Starmie (at gym)
Tentacool: Charles (at gym)
Goldeen: Bella (at gym)
Palpitoad (at gym)
Brock's Team
Onix
Kingler: Neptune
Golbat: Nightwing
Bulbasaur
Croagunk
Mankey: John
Geodude (at gym)
Forrestress (at gym)