The Ashes of Confidence

by hmilles02

Ash is a young Pokemon trainer who wants to become famous as one of the greatest, he is held back from pursuing this dream however due to his nerves and overall lack of confidence. His luck changes when he finds a pendant that has special powers. Using this new power Ash is able to transform himself and pursue his dream, all the while trying to keep his secret from everyone.

3. Chapter 3 Confidence vs Determination

The Ashes of Confidence Chapter 3 Confidence vs. Determination

(Disclaimer: I do not Own Pokémon. Pokémon Belongs to Game Freak and Nintendo).

(It was now a brand-New Day for Ash Ketchum who has gotten over his Recent Loss to his Rival Paul. And Now Ash and Pikachu were on the Road to Sandgem Town to Meet up with another Trainer for a Battle. Finally, after a long walk, Ash and Pikachu arrived at the Laboratory of Professor Rowan, then Ash says).

Ash Ketchum: There it is Pikachu. (Pikachu is eager for the Battle that is to come. Then Ash Looks over to the field surrounding the Laboratory and sees the trainer he is going to battle and shouts). Hey Paul! (Ash Ketchum begins running over to the fields with Pikachu on his Shoulder. Before jumping over the Fence. When Paul heard his name called, he chuckles to himself before looking to his Old Rival).

Paul: Hey Ash, good to see you.

Ash Ketchum: Same Here Paul. (Then another Voice gets Ash's Attention).

Voice: Hey Ash good to see you. (Ash looks over and sees it is Professor Rowan, Sinnoh's Most well-known Researcher and Professor).

Ash Ketchum: Hi Professor Rowan.

Professor Rowan: Ahh, I assume you are here to battle with Paul here.

Ash Ketchum: I Sure Am. Could you be our Referee?

Professor Rowan: Sure thing.

(A Couple of Minutes Later, Ash and Paul are now on the Battlefield having taken their respective Places and were now ready for battle as Professor Rowan Says).

Professor Rowan: This Battle Between Ash and Paul, is about to begin. This will be a one-on-one battle with no substitutions and no time limit. The Battle will be over when one sides Pokémon are unable to Continue. And now if you please, bring out your Pokémon! (From Ash's Shoulder, Pikachu gets a look of Confidence and is about to jump off. Ash sees and says).

Ash Ketchum: Sorry Pikachu, but I have someone else in Mind for this Battle. (Pikachu is disappointed at this but nods understandingly and says).

Pikachu: Pika. (Translation: "Okay". Ash Ketchum Chuckles and says).

Ash Ketchum: Thanks for understanding Friend. (Then Paul reaches into his Pocket and pulls a Pokéball out and throws it before saying).

Paul: STAND BY FOR BATTLE! (The Pokémon Paul has chosen for battle comes of its Pokéball. Making Ash and Pikachu gasp in surprise as the Pokémon roars before Paul says). TORTERRA!

Ash Ketchum: Torterra huh? (Ash Remembers his History with Paul's Torterra, namely how he never managed to beat Paul's Torterra before, not even once. And Ash intended to change that little fact today! Then Ash Ketchum reaches into his Pocket and pulls a Pokéball out and holds it for Pikachu to see before saying). OKAYI CHOOSE YOU! (Ash Ketchum Throws the Pokéball forward and it opens revealing Ash's Chosen Pokémon. The Pokémon Ash Chose caught Paul by Surprise but then he Chuckled to himself, remembering how predictable Ash Ketchum is and at the same time, how unpredictable he is as he says).

Paul: Wow. For Once Ash Ketchum, you have genuinely Surprised me with your Pokémon of Choice. (Ash Ketchum's Choice of Pokémon for battle was his Old Pal, Glalie. Since Ash Lost his Battle to Gary, Ash has been training extremely hard with his Pokémon, new and old ones. And When Ash got the Word, that Paul was back, he gathered the Pokémon that he knew would both have the type advantage over a ton of Paul's Pokémon and the Most Powerful Pokémon he caught as well. And he brought a Couple of them, including both Pikachu and Glalie. Ash was extremely confident that with his Glalie's Ice Type advantage over Paul's Grass and Ground Type Torterra, and his Knowledge of Paul and his Torterra from the Days of their Rivalry would give him the edge to win the battle. Unbeknownst to Ash, the Sky was starting to Darken a bit as Ash said).

Ash Ketchum: Thanks Paul, I have been looking forward to this for a long time. And With My Glalie I am going to beat you and Torterra. (Paul laughed at Ash's overconfidence and said).

Paul: Give it your best Shot!

Ash Ketchum: Same to you Paul! (Then Professor Rowan said as the referee).

Professor Rowan: It has been Determined that Ash will Have the First Move. Ready? BATTLE BEGIN! (Ash Ketchum and Paul Clash in a VS. Scene. Before Giving the first Command to Glalie Ash thinks to himself).

Ash Ketchum: I remember that Torterra was not very quick on its feet. (Ash Ketchum Smirks confidently to himself). So, it will not hurt to do this (Ash Ketchum Says to Glalie exhibiting Confidence). GLALIE USE ICY WIND! (Glalie uses its Icy Wind on Torterra, dealing a Ton of Damage to it. But Torterra took the Attack head on and was hardly feeling the damage. Something Ash knew well having seen it happen on multiple occasions prior than Paul said to himself).

Paul: Hmm. (Ash noticed Paul was hardly reacting either, another Thing knew as well, deciding to go ahead with his next command to Glalie). Good Job Glalie. Now use Headbutt! (Glalie goes and Strikes Torterra with a Powerful Headbutt attack, that Torterra just shrugs off, repelling Glalie away. This Surprises Ash a Little but ignores it saying). Its Okay Glalie because our next attack will finish off Torterra for Good. Glalie Use Ice Beam! (Glalie Fires its Ice Beam at Torterra, hitting with Perfect Accuracy. Once the Ice Beam hits Torterra gets frozen in a block of Ice. Ash Shouts Excitedly). You Did It Glalie, Nice Job! (Then Pikachu Shouts just as Excited as Ash is).

Pikachu: PIKA PIKACHU! (Translation: "GO GLALIE". Ash was fully confident that he finally beat Paul's Torterra for the First after so long. But then the Block of Ice Encasing Torterra began Shaking, as Ash and Pikachu's Eyes Widen in Shock. And then the unthinkable happens! The Block of Ice Exploded, setting Torterra free. Then Torterra Roared Loudly).

Torterra: TORTERRA! (Translation: "FOOLS!". Ash and Pikachu could not believe that Torterra was still able to battle after taking all those Ice type Attacks from Glalie. Ash then Shouted in Shock).

Ash Ketchum: IT CAN'T BE! NO WAY! (Ash refuses to give up at that and shouts to Glalie determined to win despite how exhausted Glalie is at this Point). GLALIE USE ICE BEAM! (Glalie uses its Ice Beam on Torterra again. Except this Time Paul Says).

Paul: TORTERRA USE STONE EDGE! (Torterra fires its Stone Edge at Glalie's Ice Beam attack. Torterra's Stone Edge Quickly overpowers Glalie's Ice Beam attack before hitting Glalie doing Massive Damage and knocking Glalie to the ground, but not knocked out Yet. Ash gasps at this shouting).

Ash Ketchum: Glalie! Are you okay? (Glalie manages to get Back up but was very weak from the Stone Edge attack, but Ash does not notice shouting). Good. Now Use Headbutt! (Despite how tired Glalie is, Glalie heads towards Torterra using its Headbutt attack before Paul Shouts).

Paul: USE GIGA DRAIN! (Torterra Shoots Multiple Beams at Glalie, and the beams ensnare Glalie's body, and begin draining its energy as Ash Panics shouting).

Ash Ketchum: NO GLALIE! (By now all the Damage Torterra's has taken from Glalie has disappeared. Then Ash says shouting another Command for Glalie without thinking). GLALIE USE ICY WIND! (But Glalie cannot Ice Wind due to how tired it is. Making Ash growl in Anger and Frustration at this Point).

Paul: It Seems you have made a big Mistake Ash Ketchum! You remembered how I Like to have my Pokémon take their Opponents Attacks and wait for just the right Moment to strike back. Well, I have been Training my Torterra ever Since you beat at the Sinnoh League, and now Torterra is strong to withstand any Pokémon's Attacks. Even those that Torterra is weak too. And that includes even the strongest of Ice Type Moves! (Ash is Growling in Anger and Frustration now as Paul Says). But it turns out that you clearly got Careless and count your Torchic's before they Hatch. And that will lead to Glalie's Defeat. Look Glalie's Exhausted now. (But Ash is Determined to Beat Paul, not truly noticing how tired Glalie is and says).

Ash Ketchum: GLALIE IS FINE! GLALIE USE ICE BEAM! (But Glalie cannot Ice Beam due to how tired it still is. Making Ash growl in more Anger and Frustration now. Then Paul decided to finish the battle saying).

Paul: Torterra lets use Hyper Beam! (Torterra fires its Hyper Beam at Glalie at Close Range. When the Hyper Beam hits Glalie, it Screams in Pain, before going and Crashing on the Ground in front of Ash with the Spirals in its Eyes, showing that Glalie has lost the Battle. Then Professor Rowan says seeing Glalie Defeated).

Professor Rowan: Glalie is Unable to Battle! Torterra Wins! (Ash Ketchum Shouts).

Ash Ketchum: GLALIE! (Ash Ketchum runs over to Glalie and Kneels over Glalie's Knocked Out Body. Paul walks over to Torterra who is breathing heavily with Sweat going down its Face and Says).

Paul: Good Battle Torterra, I am proud of you. (Torterra is still breathing heavily but manages to Give Paul its Usual Tough Guy Smile and nods. Then Paul Smiles back and Returns Torterra to its Pokéball. Meanwhile with Ash, Pikachu, and Glalie, Ash Ketchum is Kneeling on the Ground with the Defeated Glalie in front of him feeling Regretful of how his Arrogance and Overconfidence cost him the Battle. Paul then says to Ash). That was a Good Battle Ash. Hope to battle you again soon. (Ash Ketchum is too distracted by own his Defeat to even Acknowledge the Fact that Paul complimented him. Paul just Shrugs it off, turns to Professor Rowan, and says). Thanks for officiating our Battle Professor Rowan. (Professor Rowan nods back and says).

Professor Rowan: Of Course, Paul. Anytime. (Paul nods and walks off. Meanwhile with Ash, he was growling to himself as Pikachu noticed how upset Ash was and said to try and comfort Ash).

Pikachu: Pi Pika Pikachu Pika. Pi Pika Pi Pikachu Pi. (Translation: "It is Okay Ash. We Will Win Next Time". But Ash just ignored Pikachu due to his own feelings of Anger and disappointment he was feeling due to his own mistakes that cost him another loss, his second loss in a row, the second battle in a row that he lost. Then The Sky Begins to Darken as Ash Says growling to himself in Anger).

Ash Ketchum: I cannot believe it! I lost again! What is Wrong with Me!? (Ash Ketchum then Gritted his Teeth angrily as he says to himself). The Opponent I face is going down! I WILL NOT LOSE AGAIN! NO MATTER WHO I BATTLE NEXT WILL LOSE NO MATTER WHAT! (Ash Ketchum continued growling to himself as was he looking down in anger and Rage. Unaware that Ash's Days as a Pokémon Trainer was running out).

TO BE CONTINUED...