Welcome back guys, to another battle I have rewritten. Unlike in past, this is a battle that is quite practically a love letter to battles from my side. Ash vs Leon was soo good that I was blown off my feet and heart. It was exciting and awful, it was awe-inspiring and poorly done, it was all and nothing, it was perfect and ridden with mistakes, in short it was the journey Ash went on for the last 25 years, not perfect, not imperfect but a mix of them that shaped him to be him. That battle, that music and those moves,,.. ahh damn, I think I will rant too much.
Disclaimer : I don't own pokemon, Pokemon will own my heart for the next week.
Also, please note there might be a dew changes to Ash, team and Leon, I exercised my right as writer/fan there.
And Ash in his 'Power of Us' outfit, if my description wasn't enough.
Without Further ado, dive in guys.
"Everyone, let that enthusiasm burn and spark brighter than ever. Witness the greatest clash between the trainers acknowledged as Master Champions."
The roar of the crowd shook the stadium itself. The stadium was filled to the brim with the sea of people, all cheering, roaring and shouting in excitement of the match to come, along with numerous other trainers and spectators across the world who were watching the match on the TV.
"The match that will decide the ultimate king of all, the world's best trainer, the one who will be crowned the Monarch of Champions."
The enthusiasm and the adrenaline broke through the sky, the cheers and screams making even the announcer inaudible.
"Now, with no further ado, let us welcome our two champions who are going to clash today for the title of Monarch."
The doors on either side of the field opened as two figures walked in.
"On one side, we have the undefeated Monarch, Champion of Galar, Champion Leon. His meticulous planning and thoroughly thought plans have gained him the nickname 'undefeatable strategist'. Till now, no one has been able to bring him down to two pokemon ever since his official debut in the world coronation series."
An extremely well built tan skinned man, with long royal purple hair and shining amber eyes, clad in black striped shirt with the official logo of galar league, the sword and shield and white shorts with white tights underneath walked in from one side. He wore a red cape with furry outline that fluttered to every step he took and a cap that was tilted upwards, resembling a crown rather than a hat along with a dynamaxx band on his right wrist. This was Champion Leon, the current world Monarch.
"Facing against the world's best and undefeated strategist is the literal reincarnation of chaos himself, the youngest champion who is also the first champion of Alola region, Champion Ash. Even though this is his first time in the coronation series, he reached the finals through his insane strategies and quick wit along with pokemon of caliber never heard before, earning him the nickname, 'Chaotic Protean'."
A slender and young slightly tanned teenage boy with bright brown eyes and dark black hair, having his signature lightning bolt markings on each of his cheeks walked in from the other side. He wasn't that tall compared to the towering Leon, but he held the same aura as that of Leon. He wore a black short sleeved shirt underneath a white colored open popped collar short sleeved jacket that had blue tones in the the top half of his chest region. Even on the sleeves, only the upper side was blue colored while the remaining was white and the pockets near the waist were fitted with a blue opening. The collar and the waistlines were strips of yellow and orange color. He wore slim fitting capri pants and fitted himself with black fingerless gloves with the right side fit with a mega stone and a white and red cap with the front white side having a flipped green C, subtly broken in the middle. He also wore 2 wristbands on either of his hands, a dynamaxx band and a unique Z bracelet fit with Pikashunium Z. His first partner, Pikachu, sat on his shoulder as he waved to the crowd.
"Now, as the referee explains the rules, we have some juicy news, fellas. The association has permitted for this full 6 vs 6 pokemon battle with switching allowed for the use of all three power-ups : Mega evolution, Z moves and Dynamaxx. This is the first time in history that all three power-ups are allowed within a match. It seems that the match has already tipped in favor of Ash who has mastered all three power-ups compared to Leon who has displayed the usage of only 2 of them. This match will go down as one of the best among the best in history."
Both Ash and Leon went to their respective places as they held the pokeballs in their hands. The referee declared the start of the match as both of them released their opening pokemon.
"Cinderace, strike time."
"Gengar, come on out."
Cinderace stood tall with a smug look on his face as he sized up Gengar who was unfazed by the taunt, rather taunting the fiery bunny by giggling and floating around in air. The fire bunny instantly lost its cool as it flared up.
"Scorching sand." Leon ordered.
The yellow accent on Cinderace's head turned brown as it pulled its leg back and kicked up a mud ball at great speed towards Gengar.
But the mud ball went through Gengar harmlessly as Gengar dissolved.
"There we have it. Gengar's infamous dimensional wrap. Now, how will Champion Leon deal with this move?"
"No punches pulled huh?" Leon asked as he smirked, while Ash just smiled in reply. "Cinderace, scorching sand."
This time, Cinderace kept on throwing the mud balls one after another in various directions.
"Counter with Shadow ball." Ash ordered.
One mud ball suddenly blasted as a purple ball of energy collided with it.
'Cinderace is too fast to pull this off. I will tire out Gengar.' Ash thought as he switched to battling. "Gengar, dazzling gleam."
"Iron head" Leon countered.
A bright ball shone blindingly as it descended towards Cinderace who closed its eyes as the tuft on its head glowed gray and jumped above. Using the tuft, Cinderace cut through the whole attack and reached high altitude.
"Will-o-wisp." Ash ordered.
Gengar appeared to the right of Cinderace, below it as it unleashed wisps of blue flames towards Cinderace.
"Pyro ball them." Leon ordered.
Cinderace turned midair as its feet were engulfed in fire. It then continued to kick off all of the wisps coming at it and landed as the flames exploded outwards from its feet.
'A champion's striker isn't that easy to take down.' Ash thought. "Gengar, shadow ball."
Gengar fired off a shadow ball as Cinderace dodged them by swiftly turning before getting hit.
"Go in, pyro ball." Leon ordered.
Moving around in zigzag motion around Gengar, Cinderace avoided all of the shadow balls, all the while juggling a stone between its knees. Then, Cinderace vanished as it appeared above Gengar and kicked the fireball at its feet towards Gengar. Gengar barely avoided the move as Cinderace landed.
"Return Gengar." Ash recalled Gengar, "Go Dracovish."
Leon smiled confidently as he continued with Cinderace.
"Cinderace, Iron head." Leon ordered.
"Scald" Ash countered.
Cinderace leaped forward at Dracovish at blinding speeds as Dracovish jumped to the side and fired the scald at the place it was. Using the propulsion from Scald, Dracovish escaped the Iron head while Cinderace twisted in air and escaped the attack.
"High jump kick." Leon continued.
Cinderace leaped towards Dracovish, who was still in the air. Its right knee glowed red as it kneed forwards like a missile at the vulnerable Dracovish.
"Fishious rend." Ash countered.
Dracovish's teeth glowed blue as they extended while Dracovish got ready to intercept the attack. But before Cinderace kneed Dracovish, it sweeped below Dracovish.
Dracovish lost its balance as it revolved midair. Cinderace then brought its left shin onto Dracovish as it kicked down Dracovish to the ground. Cinderace then proceeded to shoot downwards at Dracovish while putting its right knee forwards.
"Dragon rush." Ash countered.
Dracovish raised its head as it roared, the draconic energy forming into a maw as it went forward, but Cinderace descended upon it in the next second, cutting through the draconic construct and knee kicked Dracovish. The ground beneath Dracovish cracked from the impact but when the dust cleared, Cinderace was struggling as its knee was struck in Dracovish's jaw.
"Fishious rend." Ash ordered the same time as Leon ordered it to get away.
But unfortunately for Cinderace, Dracovish's jaw strength was too much and the teeth from the attack clenched onto Cinderace's knee as it cried out in fear from the predatory look in Dracovish's eyes.
Dracovish's legs struggled as its lower body rooted up and twisted its long neck along with Cinderace as it stood up. But it didn't stop with that as Dracovish continued the momentum and threw(read yeeted) Cinderace towards the wall. Cinderace skipped all the way to the wall as it clutched its knee.
"Come back Cinderace." Leon recalled, 'A strong prey is no match for an apex predator.'
"Mr. Rime, come out."
Mr. Rime replaced Cinderace as it danced on the spot, Dracovish too mimicking it in fun.
"Come back Dracovish." Ash did his homework and knew about Mr. Rime's freeze dry. It was an ice type move, effective against both dragon and water type, thus four times effective on Dracovish. "It is your time, Gengar."
Gengar came out as it went on with usual taunting antics to which Mr. Rime just danced with a care in reply. Psychics and Ghosts are on another level when it comes to mind games.
"Expanding force, Mr. Rime." Leon ordered.
"Gengar, shadow ball." Ash countered.
Gengar fired off the dark purple ball as Mr. Rime released circles of psychic energy. But instead of colliding, the shadow ball went harmlessly through the psionic waves. Both the attacks hit as both pokemon fall back.
"Return Gengar." Ash wanted to continue with Gengar but from what he saw, avoiding expanding force isn't easy. Considering Gengar's typing, another attack might put it in danger and Gengar is his gigantamaxx ace. "Sirfetch'd, I am counting on you."
"Let us set the field, Mr. Rime, freeze dry." Leon said as he posed.
Mr. Rime spun its stick as it pointed at Sirfetch'd who held out his shield. But when the freezing air came out, Mr. Rime spinned as the nearby air was filled with the freezing chill.
Mr. Rime stopped spinning as he stabbed his stick into the ground and psychic waves spread from the tip. The freezing air spread far as the ground underneath froze while Sirfetch'd jumped and avoided.
When Sirfetch'd landed, it slipped for a second before using its leak to balance itself.
"This field isn't enough to stop us. Sirfetch'd, fury cutter." Ash ordered.
Sirfetch'd leek glowed in green as it slid forward from propelling by its shield. Mr. Rime too used his walking stick to skate across the field, avoiding Sirfetch'd.
"Chase it." Ash continued.
Sirfetch'd swung the charged leek on the ice and used that as a propulsion to launch towards Mr. Rime.
It spinned midair to bring down another fury cutter on Mr. Rime, who narrowly dodged it, but the ice nearby broke from the impact.
"Brutal swing." Ash ordered.
Before the ice shards could settle down, Sirfetch'd spinned quickly, causing the shards to flung towards Mr. Rime. Mr. Rime fought off all the shards by swinging his stick all while skating away from the bird.
But then, the rotating Sirfetch'd changed direction as it launched at Mr. Rime like a penetrating missile. But Mr. Rime staked away and avoided.
"Break the field." Ash ordered.
Leon was surprised as Sirfetch'd smashed the ice field, destroying the frosty layer on the battlefield.
"Now, brutal swing." Ash followed.
But Leon wasn't going to fall for the same trick twice.
"Expanding force, outwards." Leon ordered.
Sirfetch'd once again spinned faster as the broken shards got flung at Mr. Rime. But Mr. Rime stood in one spot as he released waves of psionic energy, causing all the shards pelted at him to reflect back at Sirfetch'd, disrupting his balance and throwing him off the balance.
"Once more, use expanding force." Leon followed.
"Dodge it with detect." Ash ordered.
"Mr. Rime, use Mimic." Leon ordered.
Sirfetch'd used detect just in time to dodge the expanding force but the move was also copied by Mr. Rime.
"Return." Ash returned Sirfetch'd as he switched, "Now, it is your turn, Dracovish."
"Return Mr. Rime. It's time, Dragapult." Leon switched to Inteleon.
"Dragapult, use dragon darts." Leon ordered.
"Dodge them and go in for ice fang." Ash ordered.
Dracovish ran towards Dragapult who fired off the dragon darts. Dracovish dodged the darts as he went in for Dragapult who quickly evaded Dracovish with his speed.
The dragon darts that missed flew back towards Dracovish's back, but instead of hitting, Dracovish avoided them by backflipping and caught one of the darts within his fangs.
The other dreepy went back to Dragapult but Dracovish completely froze the one it had and placed it within its mouth.
But for some reason, Dracovish was shivering head to toe, probably due to having a cold block of ice in its mouth for the first time without the ice fang.
"Dracovish, use flamethrower." Leon ordered.
"Don't let it hit your mouth." Ash ordered.
Dragapult unleashed a torrent of flames as Draocvish ran away from them.
"You forgot the other dart. Now Dracovish." Leon ordered.
Dragapult's flames felt weaker and more chaotic than normal and this explained why as the other dreepy shot forward at high speed using the hot air from flamethrower as updraft.
The dragon dart hit Dracovish right in his throat, causing it to cough up the frozen dreepy within its cheeks. The other dreepy broke the ice as both of them went back towards Dragapult.
"Now, use phantom force." Leon ordered as Dracovish hid in its own shadows.
But Dracovish continued shivering as it got goosebumps before it roared in anger, a roar of a predator.
'Are Dracovish's primal instincts are going out of control again? It is better to pull him in.' Ash thought as he tried to return Dracovish but failed.
But instead of rampaging blindly for Dragapult, Dracovish roared once more as red fangs grew on the neck of Dracovish. Dragapult chose this moment to attack as Dracovish was looking above, but in a flash, the fangs grew longer and binded Dragapult to Dracovish. Dragapult tried to struggle out but couldn't escape the hold of Dracovish.
"Ice fang ,Dracovish." Ash tried.
Dracovish obeyed as it chomped on the head of Dragapult with the ice fang. Due to close proximity and prolonged exposure, the freezing effect started to take place but Leon wasn't going to take it sitting silent.
"Dragon tail." Leon ordered, 'It is dangerous for Dragapult if it gets frozen.'
Before the freezing could reach its tail, Dragapult swiped its tail as it elongated with draconic energy and hit Dracovish at its legs.
Dracovish stumbled back but didn't leave Dragapult, but in the next instant, Dracovish was recalled into pokeball as Dragonite came out.
Dragapult was still feeling the aftereffects of whatever attack those fangs were doing and the chill from strong jaw's ice fang.
"Dragapult, dragon darts." Leon ordered.
"Dragonite, hurricane dance." Ash ordered.
Dragonite whirled around as the effects of the hurricane caused a thin layer of high speed of air forming a shield around it. The dragon darts bounced off Dragonite but circled back and started attacking Dragonite in turns.
As the dragon dance increased its speed, the hurricane picked up power and the darts were getting pushed away more and more, while climbing up and up in the air. That was when Leon released the play at work.
"Dragapult, get those back and use phantom force." Leon ordered.
"Dragonite, now." But it was already late as Dragonite was already high enough.
Dragonite charged up the draco meteor as it used the momentum to climb higher. The dreepys flew back to Dragapult who got ready to get into its shadows but Dragonite released its attack.
Rather than climb up and blow up, the draco meteor exploded on release into multiple fragments as they honed into the dragon types below, courtesy of honing draco meteor from Ash's Gible.
Dragapult was going to hide in the shadows and wait for the dreepy but when it saw the shards of purple energy coming down, it flew up straight towards the Dreepys.
While the Dreepys settled in, Dragapult maneuvered through the incoming missiles as it flew away. A few of them exploded without hitting but one of them managed to hit. As Dragapult tried to restabilize its flight, two more hit as it went crashing to the ground.
But Draganite wasn't done as it followed it with a dragon claw. Dragapult barely dodged the move by going into the shadows but Dragonite started flying at high speeds 12 feets above the ground.
'Considering its speed, it has a double boost on speed. That means double the attack, Dragapult won't continue if it battles Dragonite, now.' Leon thought as he ordered, "Dragon tail."
Dragonite flew above the same instant as its claws elongated with draconic energy while Dragapult came out of the shadows, dispersing its attack and preemptively used the dragon tail.
'But why? Why does that draco meteor feel like a distraction? That move wasn't fully charged or else, Dragapult would be in red. It exchanged power for speed and honing. Yet, that move feels like nothing but a distraction.' Leon couldn't stop thinking after seeing that draco meteor, there was something seriously off with it.
The dragon claw and dragon tail collided but the dragon tail was ripped to shreds as Dragonite returned. But Dragapult wasn't in any good shape as the force from the attack made it crash into the ground.
As if luck was screwing with Dragapult, Lucario came in this time.
"Lucario, let us finish this fast. One with our bond, break beyond our limits, mega evolution." Ash activated his keystone and mega evolved Lucario as he decided that letting Dragapult fight might be detrimental to his other pokemon.
Lucario howled as it completed its mega evolution, the sensory bundles on its back glowed faintly blue as they floated around like they were in a gravity free space.
'This aura, so Ash is an aura master after all.' Leon smiled excitedly as he ordered. "Dragapult, flamethrower."
"Lucario, full power, meteor mash." Ash countered.
Lucario rooted its lower body as it widened its stance and threw its right fist forward as it threw an over shoulder punch.
Whatever the attack was, it wasn't meteor mash. The punch caused metallic gray ripples to clash with and tear apart the flames as Dragapult narrowly missed it.
"Go, double team." Ash followed up.
Copies of Lucario spread out as they charged towards Dragapult.
"Dragpult, dragon darts." Leon countered.
Dragapult launched the twin missiles as they cut through all illusions while Dragapult started dodging all the illusions.
"Now, Aura sphere." Ash ordered.
This baffles Leon. Aura sphere is a move that misses its target, but at the end it is a fighting type move, it would never hit the ghost type Dragapult.
But Lucario smashed its aura sphere into the ground as the field shook and dust clouds piled up.
"Phantom force." Leon ordered immediately. Dragapult might have superior speed but compared to the aura sense of Lucario, it will be nothing.
"Meteor Mash." Ash ordered.
Leon knew the time was ticking. Meteor mash has a chance of upping the pokemon's attack power, and if Lucario, in its mega state, got that boost too, it will be another Dragonite. He needs to stop that.
"Now, use flamethrower." Leon ordered, "Don't let it go."
The dust cloud made the visibility murkier but Leon saw some bright flames followed by an even more dense dust cloud and rock cracking sounds.
He saw flames and then the cloud got even more dense and rocks cackled.
'Is Lucario destroying the field? But that doesn't contribute to anything.' Leon couldn't figure out what strategy Ash was up to. Destruction of the field becomes a hurdle for Lucario who is land bound rather than Dragapult, who can float freely.
"Now, Lucario, double team." Ash ordered as the dust cloud got less and less thick.
The dust cloud started swirling in a large circle driven by multiple Lucario running in circles. Dragapult got even more confused as it levitated as high as it could get. It then fired dragon darts into the storm.
"Meteor mash." Ash ordered.
That was when Leon noticed. The ground wasn't broken in some random way but only around the circle Lucario was making.
Lucario used Meteor mash and propelled the broken rocks towards Dreepy. The draconic energy from the launch got canceled as they went back to Dragapult. While the rocks were numerous and coming from all sides, it was nothing for Dragapult's speed.
"Now, quick, use rising meteor." Ash ordered.
"Use dragon tail." Leon countered.
But Ash only smiled as Leon got more nervous.
The amount of rocks pelted increased to max all of a sudden but Dragapult easily swatted them away with its tail. Then, the double team ended as Lucario used the pelted rocks to jump towards Dragapult.
Dragapult noticed and unleashed the dragon tail towards Lucario but Lucario used the airborne rocks to deflect the attack and maneuver mid air.
'He was planning on taking the battlefield into the air.' Leon then understood what Ash planned. But it was already late.
Thanks to the footing the rocks provided and Dragapult having to deal with the rocks, Lucario was able to launch another of those over shoulder meteor mash punches.
Leon warned Dragapult it was futile as rippling metallic energy caused the floating rocks to swirl around it. Lucario landed back gracefully as the attacks bombarded Dragapult and created an explosion. Dragapult fell out of the dust cloud as rocks rained along with.
"Dragapult is unable to battle."
'Why? Just why did he go this far? Even if Ash directly confronted the dragon tail, he would have won. So why go through all this? Is there something you are hiding with pikachu?' Leon wondered as he sent out Inteleon.
Of all 6 pokemon Ash was going to use, Pikachu was still unused and Ash already activated Lucario's mega evolution and showed off one of his cards, which meant there was a card he had to protect no matter what, which Leon assumes to be Pikachu.
"Return Lucario." Ash switched Lucario as he sent in Gengar again.
"Buckle up folks, this is going to be a match between shadows. The sniper who hides in the shadows or the prankster that rules over the shadows, get your popcorn fellas."
The crowd cheered in reply to the announcer's call as Gengar's antics were brushed off by Inteleon's cold exterior. But Gengar smiled knowingly.
"Inteleon, use dark pulse." Leon ordered.
"Dodge and use will-o-wisp." Ash ordered.
Gengar's will-o-wisp clashed with the dark pulse as Gegnar escaped and let out the other will-o-wisp. The blue flames circled Inteleon as it dodged them.
"Inteleon, snipe shot." Leon called as Inteleon pointed its fingers like a gun at Gengar who kept on phasing in and out.
"Gengar, sludge bomb." Ash countered.
Inteleon rapid fired as Gengar dodged the first few before it threw small sized sludge bombs against Inteleon. The snipe shots were able to drill through them but the poison started exploding like a sea.
"Inteleon, concentrate and use snipe shots. Follow it around." Leon ordered.
Inteleon stopped being rooted in its place and dodged the sludge bombs. It fired off some snipe shots when it could, but due to being on move, they weren't as fast as they could be. Yet, they were still nearly as fast as Gengar.
'Inteleon is clearly trained for this.' Ash concluded. "Gengar, dazzling gleam."
Gengar stopped in one place as it gathered the fairy energy in its hands. Inteleon used this opportunity to aim for Gengar but due to the blinding light it was harder than normal. But it nevertheless hit, but the attack proceeded as Inteleon dodged it.
"Gengar, shadow ball." Ash followed up.
Before the light from Dazzling gleam died down, Gengar unleashed a torrent of shadow balls as Inteleon jumped backwards to avoid them.
But then it stumbled back as it fell into a trap. It was the spot from which Lucario carved out the rocks from before.
"Sludge bomb, bombard it." Ash ordered.
Inteleon reacted quickly but it still wasn't enough as the sludge bombs hit. They traded strength for speed but the latter ones packed the punch. Inteleon tried to dodge them but the poisoning finally hit.
Ash intentionally made Gengar hit some of the trenches before and drove Inteleon near the trench with useless moves. All for the poisoning.
Dragapult and Mr. Rime are setters, they are used only for wearing down the opponent. But Inteleon, Cinderace, Rillaboom are the wall before one reaches Charizard.
'Given Inteleon's speed, chip damage is the best option.' Ash thought as he smiled, "Gengar, continue with shadow balls."
Gengar rained down shadow balls as Inteleon dodged them and shot some down with snipe shots.
"Dark pulse, full force." Leon ordered.
Inteleon rooted into one place as it collected the dark energy, it was a gamble but since the attacks were focussed on traveling targets, Gengar took a moment to switch to attacking a stationary target.
But that moment was enough for the trained Inteleon who unleashed the dark pulse when the shadow balls were halfway. The dark pulse tore through the shadow balls and connected to Gengar.
Gengar fell down as it struggled but got up.
"Gengar, will-o-wisp." Ash ordered.
Gengar unleashed blue flames towards Inteleon as Leon countered.
"Dark pulse, snipe format."
Ash cursed in his head as he yelled for Gengar to dodge. This was the specialty of Inteleon, who would rapidly fire dark pulses with both hands. The attacks don't hold much power and accuracy compared to the original, but the number was too much. And given the Inteleon's Sniper ability which raises chances for critical hits, taking too many attacks isn't favorable, statistically speaking.
Gengar dodged a few while pelting the other with shadow balls. Gengar had to stop flying around erratically before it could fire will-o-wisp or dazzling gleam, which Ash thought he should improve on later.
"Gengar, close in with dark pulse." Ash ordered.
Gengar dove into the barrage of attacks, the nearer it got, the denser the attacks were and Gengar was having hard time phasing out at the correct time.
"Now, sludge bomb." Ash ordered.
'Now, you are caught Ash.' Leon thought, "Aqua jet and protect."
Inteleon started spinning wildly as water formed in streams around it. Ash recognized the move very well before it could deploy, after all that was his first version.
"Gengar, crash down and use sludge bomb to your right." Ash ordered, which surprised Leon.
Leon didn't expect Ash to have a countermeasure for this trick. Granted that this was the first and original version, Ash stopped using the trick until recently.
Gengar landed down as it fired off the sludge bombs to the whips coming from the right and Leon recognized another problem.
The water in whips, contaminated with the poison were spreading around the land from getting splashed. This will set a good ground for Ash who has Lucario and Dragonite.
"Inteleon, switch to air slash." Leon did anticipate a counter to his method but not to this extent. Thus, there was a contingency.
The water around Inteleon stopped as it slowed down spinning. Gengar stopped rapid firing as it concentrated for a proper sludge bomb and fired but it was returned with an air slash.
Inteleon started spinning at a mild pace as it jumped back and unleashed a volley of Air slashes. The slashed kept Gengar at bay while it kicked up some of the nearby rocks.
"Now, dark pulse." Leon ordered.
Inteleon jumped back as it fired a dark pulse mid air. The dark pulse pushed the rocks and propelled them towards Gengar.
"Shadow ball them." Ash countered.
Gengar unleashed another volley of shadow balls, while dodging as many rocks as it could but Inteleon finally gave up as it fell to its knees and panted from exertion. The poison was pushing it into red.
But it wasn't determined to go down without a proper fight and unleashed snipe shots from both its hands. The snipes broke the rocks, surprising and confusing Gengar before 3 shots hit it too. Inteleon smiled as it fainted.
"Inteleon is unable to battle."
'That was one tough opponent. Gengar is really roughed up.' Ash contemplated switching but decided against it, Gengar won't be able to fight against upcoming pokemons.
"Mr. Rime, come out." Leon sent in Mr. Rime who danced around. "Use freeze dry."
Mr. Rime once again spread waves of freezing chill as Gengar avoided them but the ground froze swiftly.
"Gengar return." Ash recalled Gengar into its pokeball. But instead of switching, he activated his dynamaxx as he sent back in Gengar in its gigantamaxxed form.
"Expanding force." Leon ordered.
"Gengar, G-max terror." Ash ordered.
Multiple objects began to collide with the psionic energy, but they just shrunk in force and proceeded while Mr. Rime skated away to dodge the moves. The expanding force hit but Gengar still continued its barrage as Mr. Rime was hit. Pink bracelets chained Mr. Rime, forbidding it from switching.
"Now, Max ooze." Ash ordered.
"Freeze it." Leon countered.
It was a battle of forces. Gengar unleashed an ocean of poisonous water as Mr. Rime stabbed his stick into the ice, using it as a conducting medium to freeze the waves of poisonous water incoming.
The poisonous waves froze as spikes around the ice as they doomed over. This panicked Leon as freeze dry shouldn't be this effective when he realized it. The reason the ice froze faster earlier because was due to the poisonous water already scattered. That helped in conducting the freeze dry better, acting as impurities.
"Max Starfall." Ash completed.
"Break through with Expanding force." Leon ordered.
Mr. Rime roared as it let out a large psionic wave that crashed the spikes that doomed it and staked out. But Gengar was precisely aiming outside the domes knowing this, but Mr. Rime, also in the same fashion, let out another large psionic wave at Gengar.
The starfall and expanding force both hit. Gengar immediately miniaturized and fell down, fainting unconscious. When the dust cleared, Mr. Rime was still standing.
'How? Just how… Detect.' Ash realized as he returned Gengar and thanked it. "Go in, Sirfetch'd."
"Mr. Rime, use expanding force." Leon ordered. After the gigantamaxx ended, the poison pikes around the ice ground vanished, so Mr. Rime easily slipped back in.
But instead of releasing a psionic wave towards the incoming Sirfetch'd, Mr. Rime stabbed his stick into the ground and shattered with the psionic force as it pelted Sirfetch'd with the ice shards.
"Fury cutter." Ash ordered. He understood what Leon was trying, he was trying to use the poisonous ice shards to get to Sirfetch'd.
Sirfetch'd swung its leak as it cut and demolished most of the ice shards.
"Freeze dry." Leon continued.
Mr. Rime paused its psionic barrage for a second and released a wave of freezing air and used expanding force to refreeze the ground and even using some of the floating one to create some abnormalities towards the ends.
"Brutal swing." Ash ordered.
Sifetch'd spun rapidly as it charged towards Mr. Rime who got ready for the attack, but before it connected, Sirfetch'd yeeted the shield at Mr. Rime, who defended with the walking stick but was still blown off its feet. Sirfetch'd used this opportunity as it jumped in but Mr. Rime reeled back the stick and punched the leek.
The force caused Mr. Rime to fly back but it crashed into one of the ice columns it recently formed and still stayed within the ice field.
Sirfetch'd on other hand, fell to its knees as dirt brown energy encapsulated it and drained its health. Ash released the move as a drain punch as Sirfetch'd dusted it off. Mr. Rime was still feeling the attack even after the HP gain. It even used Detect to decrease the force but it was of little help only.
"Expanding force." Leon ordered.
"Detect." Ash countered.
Sirfetch'd vaulted over its leak just in time to avoid the expanding force and pole vaulted towards its shield.
"Slide using it." Ash ordered.
Thanks to the vertical constructs Mr. Rime created, Sirfetch'd used the shield to skate back towards Mr. Rime who also started skating away. Unlike Sirfetch'd, who clearly struggled against, Mr. Rime was with poise and dignity, ticking off Sirfetch'd.
"Now Sirfetch'd, use detect and go in with Meteor assault." Ash ordered.
Normally, given the conditions, it wouldn't connect but now, similar to Mr. Rime, Sirfetch'd was also gliding freely.
"Defend using expanding force." Leon tried to counter.
Sirfetch'd though kicked the shield forward and used detect. Before it landed onto the ice, it charged up the move. On contact with ice, the ice broke as Sirfetch'd used the momentum to propel the attack and the ground to change the direction.
The expanding force was momentarily deflected by the shield but Sirfetch'd broke through with its attack, hitting Mr. Rime with full force. The attack caused Mr. Rime to crash into one of the walls as well as wipe out the ice field completely.
"Mr. Rime is unable to battle." The referee declared.
"Rillaboom, come out." Leon thanked Mr. Rime before switching into Rillaboom.
One would think Leon was in trouble over losing three pokemon compared to one from Ash, but this was where his main force held. Cinderace, Rillaboom and Charizard, his strongest strike team. Dragapult was used to switch in pokemon and tire them out with its hit and run tactics, Mr. Rime to confuse and bring down the stamina with the ice field and Inteleon was the sniper that brought down the annoying ones for later a peg or two down.
Ash, on other hand, had his Dracovish and Sirfetch'd spent considerably. Granted his Dragonite and Lucario were fully charged but there was Rillaboom in their route, the fortress master.
"Rillaboom, boomburst." Leon ordered.
Rillaboom thumped its chest and banged its drum. A powerful sonic wave launched at Sirfetch'd who was still panting from exertion but held on.
The attack held on but Sirfetch'd still held on.
"Fury cutter. Go get it." Ash ordered.
"Drum beating." Leon countered.
Vines shot up as Sirfetch'd cut through them expertly, one vine even attacked from behind but it too was chopped off. With each passing hit, the fury cutter got stronger and stronger. Sirfetch'd held up with sword in an upright situation before it cut through using its fury cutter maxed out.
"Bulldoze." Leon ordered.
Rillaboom jumped to the right as it charged the move but Sirfetch'd used the fury cutter right before the drum and propelled back. Rillaboom got confused but still aimed to attack it but Sirfetch'd got back its shield as it stepped on and skidded back.
"Sirfetch'd, use fury cutter once more." Ash ordered once Sirfetch'd secured the shield.
Sirfetch'd leaped towards Rillaboom with its leak glowing. But Rillaboom intercepted the attack with another bulldoze.
Both attacks clashed midair as the air howled from the impact. Both pokemon fell back but the speed debuff fell on Sirfetch'd while Rillaboom thumped its chest.
"Now, use drum beating." Leon ordered.
Rillaboom jumped back in front of the drum and played it as vines erupted up towards Sirfetch'd.
"Fury cutter." Ash ordered, "Get into them."
Sirfetch'd concentrated as it chopped up the few vines and got on them, using its shield as a skateboard to slide over them.
"Now, use brutal swing." Ash ordered.
"Counter with bulldoze." Leon ordered.
Rillaboom left its drum as it jumped on the vines. But Sirfetch'd left its shield and leaped up as it spun and came down on Rillaboom.
Yet, Rillaboom used the shield as it threw it forward like a frisbee. Sirfetch'd dodged the shield as it kicked it once it was behind it to make it land somewhere nearby.
But Sirfetch'd's attack was caught by Rillaboom, who pulled in the leak and headbutted Sirfetch'd.
Sirfetch'd fell back as the vines disappeared. But the rage within swelled up as it roared. Rillaboom was trained in martial arts just like Sirfetch'd. Sirfetch'd was bested with the same martial arts it was so proud of.
"Sirfetch'd, go in. Meteor Assault." Ash too agreed with his pokemon. Since Rillaboom was yet to land, it would provide more of a leeway than waiting for another opening.
Sirfetch'd charged forward with the attack as Rillaboom landed. But instead of dodging, it rooted itself.
Sirfetch'd roared as it pushed forwards its leak, but Rillaboom just slid to the side, letting the attack pass harmlessly. But before Sirfetch'd could sweep its leak to connect, it assaulted Sirfetch'd straight in the gut with an assurance.
Sirfetch'd lost grip of its leek from the blow as it blew back. Assurance hit double as hard due to being used after the attack and Sirfetch'd was still reeling from the post-charge phase of Meteor assault.
"Rillaboom, boomburst. And follow it with bulldoze." Leon ordered.
"Get down Sirfetch'd." Ash ordered but realized his mistake.
Sirfetch'd didn't pay heed to the warning as it got up again but the boomburst hit it hard as it was flung off the ground and got hit by another bulldoze midair as it crashed down.
Sirfetch'd still tried to get back up, refusing to give up and accept defeat. But it knew it was out as it fainted.
Ash could feel it, the raging fire within Sirfetch'd for not being able to defeat another martial artist, losing without getting a considerable hit, the fact that its own skills were lacking. He could understand it, Sirfetch'd couldn't but it was still counting on its own partner, the only other it taught its own martial arts it takes pride in.
"So be it." Ash replied as he turned his cap 180 degrees after recalling Sirfetch'd and sent in another, "Lucario, let us end this."
Lucario came out as it roared and dissolved the mega evolution. Ash too agreed, this was for Sirfetch'd. Leon was confused by the debacle before recalling the pride of Sirfetch'd in their martial arts. This wasn't a full blown revenge match but win or lose, they will prove it now, Sirfetch'd's martial skills are no less.
Leon couldn't agree more as he too got pumped up, if a challenge was given, it was only fair that you give it your all. "Rillaboom, let us go all out. Go, bulldoze."
Rillaboom roared as it leaped forward onto Lucario in one jump.
"Reversal." Ash ordered.
Lucario too leaped forwards but instead of meeting the move head on, it slid to the side as it attacked with a reversal in the side, making Rillaboom lose its balance.
Since Lucario was at full health, the reversal didn't hit hard but Rillaboom was annoyed by the interception.
"Boomburst." Leon ordered.
Even though it was away from its drum, Rillaboom banged its drumsticks together as a sonic wave erupted towards Lucario. But due to the unconventional method the attack didn't pack much power as Lucario blasted it away with a single meteor mash.
"Aura sphere and double team." Ash ordered.
Lucario took a stance as it formed an aura sphere in its hand as illusions of its spread around Rillaboom, stopping it in tracks to reach the drum.
"Bulldoze." Leon ordered.
Rillaboom jumped above as it charged the attack and came down crashing on the attacks, destroying the aura sphere.
"To your right." Leon shouted but he was late.
That when Rillaboom noticed that Lucario stopped it from destroying the original aura sphere by using its right arm, as it pushed the sphere with its left hand with the reversal attack.
Before Rillaboom could counter or block, Lucario smashed the aura sphere into Rillaboom's solar plexus as it used reversal. Though the power of reversal was still lacking, the aura sphere and speed made up for it as Rillaboom blanked from the attack.
Rillaboom was blown behind its drum in the next instant.
'I underestimated Lucario's physical prowess. Direct confrontation won't work.' Leon understood as he ordered, "Boomburst."
Rillaboom roared as it ran towards the drum while Luario tried to close in with another meteor assault. Rillaboom was only 3 seconds away when it banged the drum with all its force as the boomburst blasted away Lucario back.
Rillaboom got up lightly panting to see Lucario landed perfectly fine and straight, glaring at it. That was one scary Lucario for Rillaboom, even with weak attacks it was able to deal much damage. Lucario too felt satisfied as a smug grin rose as it proved the point.
"Return Lucario." Ash recalled his own striker as it made the point and Sirfetch'd was also proud as its teacher-cum-sparring partner. "Dracovish, it is your turn."
Dracovish roared even ferociously, which combined with the fangs on its neck reminded everyone of the fact that Dracovish was a predator that went extinct after it over hunted its prey. An apex predator that was unchallenged.
Rillaboom got ready as it got a bad feeling from the roar.
"Drum beating." Leon ordered.
Rillaboom roared back as it drummed, the vines erupting towards Dracovish.
"Ice fang." Ash said as he observed Dracovish. Dracovish was keeping the primal instincts in check but it seemed more aggressive now.
Dracovish ran towards the vines, leaping just a second before getting ripped. It then bit onto a vine using its fangs on the neck, freezing the vine in a flash. It then sliced up the other vine as it yeeted the frozen vine back at Rillaboom.
Rillaboom used another two vines to catch it but the frozen vine cut through them. Thus it took matter into its hands as it jumped forward with an assurance and shattered it.
"Boomburst to your front." Leon yelled.
Rillaboom obeyed on command as it clashed the drumsticks forward to get propelled back and avoid a dragon rush. It only had one thought about the pokemon that it faced, monsters. Not caring about their safety, just flinging them at opponents and crushing them.
And Ash realized why Dracovish was raging to go. It wanted to avenge its surrogate parent, Sirfetch'd.
"Go for it, Dracovish. Dragon rush." Ash just hoped Dracovish wouldn't delve too much into its primal instincts.
Dracovish roared as it charged ahead with the draconic maw at front.
"Defend with drum beating." Leon countered.
But it wasn't enough as Dracovish continued leaping over them. But just before Dracovish could reach Rillaboom, another vine shot from back and pulled it away, smashing it into the ground.
Dracovish, though, got up like no change and glared at Rillaboom with a predatory glare, sending shivers down Rillaboom.
"Use scald." Ash ordered.
Dracovish spat out boiling hot water at Rillaboom who used the thick vines to protect but Dracovish continued and not long before, the vines got burned from the side effect of scald.
"Use fishious rend and yeet it." Ash ordered.
Rillaboom banged its drum as the roots connecting got severed, narrowly avoiding the burn to drum, to Rillaboom. But Dracovish leaped as it used a fishious rend and tore off a vine with its mouth and jumped onto the vine, using it as a board to leap forward.
"Boomburst." Leon countered.
"Throw it and jump up." Ash ordered.
Dracovish threw the root forward as it twisted its body and leaped above by pushing its legs against the ground.
Even though it was going forwards, with one jump, Dracovish rose above the attack that could only affect the vine.
"Dragon rush." Ash ordered.
The unstable Dracovish used the dragon rush to hone in on the Rillaboom.
"Bulldoze." Leon countered.
Rillaboom leaped and met with the draconic maw, cutting through it and butting heads with Dracovish. The impact knocked both of them back.
"Dracovish, go in with another ice fang." Ash ordered.
"Counter with boomburst." Leon ordered.
Rillaboom got up to bang the drum as Dracovish already charged at it as Dracovish landed perfectly thanks to its flexible body, even though it got a speed drop.
But when Dracovish was inches away like Lucario, the boomburst erupted as it attacked. Rillaboom was about to sigh in relief but it got stuck in its throat as the fangs on Dracovish's neck struck to the drum and neutralized the attack at point blank range.
In panic, Rillaboom threw its right fist forward but Dracovish latched onto it with the ice fang as Rillaboom roared in panic from freezing.
"Assurance." Leon shouted.
Rillaboom snapped out in an instant and used its left fist to palm Dracovish away. Dracovish flew from the attack, the fangs released the drum in shock. But Rillaboom still had its whole right arm encased in ice and pain.
"Dragon rush." Ash ordered. He was seeing something weird with the fangs when the attack was happening. Also, the last 2 dragon rushes weren't at full power, even though Dracovish's aware.
"Boomburst" Leon ordered.
Dracovish roared as it dashed forward, the draconic energy gathering at its front. Ash's hunch proved to be correct as the draconic energy gathered in the middle of the fangs on the neck and released a form of draconic snake.
The draconic construct clashed with and tore through Boomburst, losing part of its energy, before it went through Rillaboom. An instant later, Rillaboom was knocked off its feet as the impact caught upon.
But Dracovish's dragon rush wasn't done as it came stomping towards Rillaboom, who was utterly pissed at the rampaging predator in front of its eyes.
"Assurance." Leon ordered, he knew that Dynamaxxing might be a good idea, but if Dracovish survives the 3 turns, Rillaboom might be utterly scared of it. He also knew his attack would be late even if Dracovish had a speed drop, thus Assurance, a move that doubles in power if used after the opponent.
The draconic maw closed around Rillaboom, who was still feeling the impact when the ice on its right hand shattered. Whatever the previous attack was, it was really powerful.
As the draconic energy closed on it, with Dracovish opening its mouth wide open along with its fangs on neck, Rillaboom acted in complete panic as it punched with Assurance. The attack caused an explosion as both of them were flung out.
Rillaboom didn't get up as it fainted already after the last fight it put up. Dracovish too smiled as it got up, scaring the shit out of Leon. Then, it fainted as the fangs on neck retracted, Leon wiping the sweat off his face.
'It must have not felt the attacks because of something like Adrenaline. But why did Sonia call this her failed revival again?' Leon wondered, this Dracovish was exactly the same as the data they obtained on Dracovish. "Cinderace, you are up."
"Dracovish lived up to its name as the true apex predator, poor Rillaboom had very little chance. And with that folks, Leon is down to 2 pokemon. Cheer up, audience, we might see Ash take down the undefeated Monarch."
The crowd roared in excitement as Leon getting down to his last two pokemon in a 6v6 match wasn't an occurrence unless the competitor was Cynthia or Lance.
"Lucario, come on out." Ash released his Lucario as he mega evolved Lucario back. When Lucario howled, the pressure from Aura was enormous as even non-aura users struggled momentarily.
Leon too replied in fashion, as he activated his aura bond with Cinderace. It was a basic aura bond, one that brought out a part of its inner potential.
Ash too felt something weird as he and Lucario felt a similar vibe from both Cinderace and Leon.
But he shook his head and continued the match.
"Cinderace, scorching sand." Leon ordered.
"Meteor mash it back." Ash countered.
Cinderace kicked up a ball of hot sand towards Lucario who focussed solely on the ball as its fist glowed in gray. When the ball was near, Lucario threw an overhook punch which smashed the ball into multiple fragments.
But Lucario didn't stop there as it turned to the right and smashed through another pyro ball that Cinderace setup.
'There is no fooling an aura master like this.' Leon thought, "Cinderace, pelt with pyro ball."
Thanks to the previous mess, Cinderace was able to pick-up a lot of stones as it rained pyro balls upon Lucario.
"Lucario, use aura sphere and head in." Ash countered.
Lucario charged forward, bent forward as it charged an aura sphere and threw it over to the incoming fire storm. The aura sphere exploded into multiple rays as they collided with the pyro balls, causing an explosion.
"Double team." Ash ordered.
Out of the smoke, multiple Lucario all dispersed as they prepared another aura sphere.
Cinderace got confused before Leon concentrated, connecting Cinderace to aura vision as he checked for the true one.
"High jump kick." Leon said as Cinderace leaped above.
Lucario got confused as Cinderace headed towards itself before it realized Cinderace was able to use aura.
"Meteor mash." Ash ordered.
Cinderace got ready to kick it away but Lucario attacked before it reached. The attack was as strong as the first one, causing a drift of air to propel Lucario away and Cinderace back to ground.
"Go in, Aura sphere." Ash ordered.
Lucario landed on the barrier surrounding the field as he launched at Cinderace with a crackling aura sphere in hand.
"Pyroball" Leon ordered. Thankfully, the high jump kick wasn't activated yet, or else Cinderace might be unable to use even its left knee for support. Dracovish's jaw was really strong.
Cinderace kicked up a fireball as it kept on juggling it, making it larger and larger. When Lucario was near, it threw its aura sphere first, to which Cinderace released its pyro ball.
Both attacks collided into a huge explosion as Lucario was thrown back while Cinderace was facing the recoil left.
"Lucario double team." Ash ordered.
'The attack power massively increased due to mega evolution and moreover, the attacks are hitting harder and more thoroughly, possibly due to ability change to Adaptability.' Leon analyzed as he planned the next move. "Cinderace, scorching sands."
Cinderace kicked up a sand ball as it located Lucario and attacked.
"Aura sphere it." Ash ordered.
Leon was once again confused as Lucario swirled at the last minute, gathering the aura into hands as it encapsulated the sandball. The sandball became normal sand as it fell down while Lucario swirled around and throwed a blazing orange aura sphere.
Cinderace jumped back in instant but the sphere followed as it was struck midair.
"High jump kick." Leon ordered.
Cinderace smiled as it pulled back its left knee before kicking the sphere away.
"Meteor mash." Ash ordered.
Lucario moved back to the spot where it broke the rocks and smashed a rock towards Cinderace. Due to the force, the rock broke into splinters attacking Cinderace as it blocked with arms.
Even after Cinderace landed, Lucario kept on kicking up the rocks before smashing them into splinters towards Cinderace.
"Cinderace, pyro ball, null version." Leon ordered.
Cinderace got on its back as it spinned its legs, forming a fire arc that blasted the incoming splinters into an explosion of dust.
Lucario concentrated as it located Cinderace as it got up another boulder to smash when it felt a pyro ball its way and jumped away.
The boulder got smashed into splinters as Lucario guarded, but Cinderace appeared out of the dust cloud, a few feet off the ground with its left knee forward, glowing in red energy.
'High jump kick, but not with full power as the speed and direction of attack is traded for.' Ash thought as he ordered, "Reversal."
Lucario widened its stance as it pulled its left arm in and moved back the left leg, twisting his hips to put some strength into his right fist as it collided with the incoming knee attack, diverting it to the side.
But then Lucario felt another pyro ball from the right and before it could see, the pyro ball blasted onto its face as Cinderace went skidding over the ground.
Lucario panicked with fire before using its aura to extinguish them.
Both pokemon were panting but covered up well as they had been using pretty big moves. Yet, both of them smiled at each other challengingly as they awaited their trainer's orders, who were also in the same sentiment.
"Cinderace"
"Lucario"
"Pyro ball"
"Aura sphere"
Both the pokemon roared in excitement as they released their respective attacks, forgetting tactics and going into pure brawl.
Both the attacks met in the middle as they exploded towards Cinderace, who learnt its lesson as it jumped high and readied the high jump kick.
Lucario too jumped above, anticipating Cinderace jumping away when it saw Cinderace coming towards it with an attack and charged its reversal.
"High jump kick"
"Reversal"
Both trainers were unknowingly immersed in their aura bonds, causing the attack orders to delay.
Cinderace came upon Lucario as the attacks clashed, flinging both of them in opposite directions.
Lucario rolled off as it crashed into the ground while Cinderace pushed against the barrier and propelled back at Lucario.
Lucario rooted its lower body as it jabbed with a meteor mash while Cinderace replied in kind with an iron head. The ground underneath Lucario crackled while the impact vibrations cut through the air.
After the attack both the pokemon put some distance before they started pelting each other with Aura spheres and pyro balls as they circled each other.
When they got near, Cinderace would sweep up a scorching sand attack as Lucario would step aside from it.
Cinderace's right knee was still not up to its peak, thus, allowing close combat would spell doom for Cinderace.
"Double team." Ash suddenly ordered, breaking the dance.
Lucario multiplied as Cinderace targeted the real one and launched a pyro ball at.
But Lucario instead hit the ground as it kicked up another dust cloud, splinters rained at Cinderace who was knocked off its feet.
Lucario came in with a reversal that was crackling reddish orange, indicating that Lucario fell under 35% health. Cinderace was no better, but it twisted in midair as the stone in its right feet caught fire. Cinderace then kicked the pyro ball with both feet as it propelled away, kicking Lucario in the face with a short range pyro ball.
Lucario easily smashed through the pyro ball and rolled as it landed, but felt Cinderace's aura leave the battlefield.
"Time for the big guns." Leon spoke as he threw the humongous pokeball, releasing Cinderace in its Gigantamxx form. "Max quake."
The ground around the fireball on which Cinderace stood rumbled as the ground upturned towards Lucario. But the move got diverted in the middle by an explosion as the illusion of Lucario vanished and Lucario leaped using the explosion.
"Max knuckle." Leon countered.
"Aura sphere, full force." Ash ordered.
Cinderace's hands glowed orange as fists rained on Lucario who used the fists as stepping stones to get to Cinderace. But one fist came straight at it, with no means to evade, Lucario released its aura sphere and dashed back, both attacks neutralizing themselves.
"G-max fireball." Leon ordered.
Cinderace got down its massive fireball as it readied the attack.
"Let us also go g-max." Ash said as Leon got excited. "Together, G-max aura sphere."
Lucario concentrated its aura as it pulled in all the enormous aura that was blasted due to the gigantamaxxing and created a large aura sphere that rivaled the fire ball. Both the pokemon released their attacks as they clashed.
-ring- -ring- -ring-
Back in the stands, Sonia checked her phone as she got a video call from her grandmother.
"Grandma, what is it?" She asked in hurry but she was still seeing the collision between the attacks. Thankfully due to the barrier, the hurricane that kicked up the attack didn't affect the audience, but the view was majestic as blue and red energies collided, intermixed and crackled.
"Is there something wrong with the stadium?" Her grandma's tone made Sonia turn her head. She gasped as she saw the lab behind her in shambles. More importantly, it was the lab where Eternatus was held.
"Where is Eternatus?" Sonia asked in fear when she realized it and asked in a shaking voice, "It is heading here?"
"Would you look at that? The monstrosity of the attacks collided as they were swirling inside, we assure you audience, you have nothing to worry about. The weakest spot of the shield isn't facing us"
The sphere's top broke apart as a column of red and blue energy shot to the sky.
When the dust cleared, both pokemon were unconsciousness, fainted.
Her grandmother's stern face along with the newest announcement only confirmed the fear Sonia had.
"Double knockout fellas. After a massive storm, both the pokemon… wait, why are the dynamaxx clouds still swirling even after the pokemon had fainted?"
That was when she heard it, the primal roar of dominance, from the pokemon known as the hand of god, Eternatus. Even Goh and Ash recognized as Goh shook Sonia asking what it was.
Eternatus appeared above the stadium as it circled alongside the clouds as Ash and Leon waited with tight fists and their partners on standby.
Soon enough, the clouds broke apart and Eternatus went off as purple crystals rained from the sky and disappeared.
"Hey Ash, it seems Eternatus left us with a present." Leon shouted as he pointed at his dynamaxx band that was overflowing with power.
'Thank god, Eternatus has taken the role of being the guardian of dynamaxx.' Sonia thought as she sighed in relief.
"Eternatus must have sensed the disturbance in the dynamaxx field at the stadium. As per readings, if the storm did blow up, many pokemon would have been forced into Dynamaxxing. We have to thank Eternatus for taking care of the issue." Her grandmother explained as she smiled to herself.
"And it left them a gift." Sonia said in excitement as the match resumed.
"Audience, don't buy any popcorn because I am taking their entire stock. Buckle up, this is the first time two dynamaxx fights happened back to back and that too, between the Monarch's ace and partner with Ash's pikachu, who was rumored to be able to dynamaxx."
Charizard gigantamaxxed as it landed, the field shaking from its impact, and roared. Ash too threw up his pikachu, which grew in size to rival Charizard.
But then, the bands on Ash and Leon's wrists started crackling, making both of them alarmed. This was an unprecedented event, so neither were sure of what the sparks were for.
"Audience and champions fighting here, we got a message from our esteemed Professor Sonia. The dynamaxx energy hasn't been restored to normal, Eternatus has only condensed the dynamaxx particles to disperse the clouds, thus, this gigantamaxx is unstable and could only last for one turn compared to the usual three. So, there we have it, one hit decides all."
The announcement calmed down and made their hearts race at the same time as Leon and Ash stared down at each other.
'If it is only one hit'
"G-max wildfire"
"Max lightning"
Pikachu fell on four legs as it shot thunder into the dark clouds above while Charizard's flames burned brighter as the flames overtook it. With a flap of wings, the flames took the shape of a giant Charizard as it flew towards Pikachu. But then the thunder descended from above as it struck the firebird.
Both pokemon lost their dynamaxx power as the bands gave up, the pokemon returning to their normal state as another clash of max moves took place.
The thunder was relentlessly clashing against the firebird but the bird wasn't down yet as it tried to get past. The thunder finally shot through as both the moves combined once more.
"Ancient power." Leon ordered as he grinned like mad.
Charizard levitated as it pelted Pikachu with rocks.
"Quick attack." Ash countered as he too grinned like crazy.
Pikachu jumped upon the rocks as it climbed and evaded all, while the max moves swirled around as they were about to explode in a mix of thunder and fire.
The large ball in the middle crackled as it spewed out some excess in thunder and flames. The flames coated the land while the thunder crackled them but both the pokemon were going at it without a care in the world.
The collapsing ball of energy finally broke as it unleashed the combined fire and thunder. Charizard flew above and avoided them while Pikachu used an iron tail to lodge into the ground and powered up its quick attack.
The next few seconds mirrored the previous chaos within the barrier but the barrier didn't crack like the last time. The flames and thunder within died down as both Charizard and Pikachu were still standing, bruised and out of breath, but still glaring at each other.
Leon once met a traveling trainer by the name of Harrier. He was a very strong trainer, whose pokemon were always able to perform beyond their limits, like no breeze. A potential he didn't understand until Harrier himself revealed it to him.
'Aura, the power that unlocks the true power of pokemon. A pokemon and human alone could never unlock or use it, but together, they make the best out of it, unlocking potentials unreached and peaks unseen.'
"You persevered well, Ash, pushing me this far. Now that it has come to this, we are gonna give it our all." Leon declared as he activated the aura bond. Unlike with Cinderace, this was a fully developed bond, thus, allowing a partial sharing of senses and thoughts, along with energy boost similar to mega evolution.
"Stronger. And stronger." Ash said as he stared at Leon, "Day by day, day by day, from the day I set out, we got stronger and stronger together, all of that strength, all of that growth and power, we will unleash it here. This match is ours."
Ash pushed his clenched fist forwards as he activated the aura bond. But this was a bond that was forced to activate, given the deep connection between Ash and pikachu. A bond neither were aware of but mastered, a bond that made Tapu koko recognize pikachu and help it master with the help of the most powerful Z-move, 10 million volt thunderbolt.
They were always one in mind, their trust transcended all other feelings, for Ash and Pikachu, this was what the last fight is.
'Aura isn't a cheat or trick available to a few. Every bond we hold with our hearts has aura in it. Aura is the medium of hearts. It is the will we forge with our hearts for each other.'
"Charizard, flamethrower." Leon yelled.
"Iron tail, Pikachu." Ash countered.
Charizard roared as it came flying towards Pikachu, unleashing a torrent of huge flames as Pikachu served to the right and spinned on its back, using the iron tail to thrust the broken boulders nearby into the flamethrower.
The flames caused an explosion as Pikachu got on top of the explosion and released a wave of thunder towards Charizard.
Charizard roared in reply as the rocks around it broke apart from earth, clashing with the thunder and destroying it. The rocks continued to launch as Pikachu used a quick attack to hop between the rocks and avoid them.
"Flamethrower." Leon ordered.
Charizard stopped its barrage as it twirled violently, letting out flames as the bright red-orange flames formed into a vortex as it engulfed all around Pikachu.
"Electroweb." Ash countered.
Pikachu twirled around as it laid out a web over the incoming flames and jumped on it, using a thunderbolt to catapult it as another explosion set off below it, propelling it to the top.
"Nowhere left to go, Charizard, use Air slash."
Charizard cut through the flames as it sent blades of air towards Pikachu who touched the barrier above.
"Not so fast, Pikachu, Iron tail." Ash said.
Pikachu leaped downwards as it twirled, the iron tail canceling out the attack and further propelling it.
What followed was a barrage of air slashes clashing with iron tails, Pikachu wildly flying around as Charizard chased around. It was a battle between a land bound mouse who transcended the limits and a Charizard who reigned over the skies.
'But only a few can be aware of it, only a few can make the best out of it. Those few spend any years tuning their hearts with their pokemon, searching and seeking for the potential that lies in their partner's heart and soul.'
"Flamethrower"
"Thunderbolt"
Both of them yelled suddenly as the pokemon charged the attack. But unlike with Iron tail, Pikachu lost the altitude with the attack as it went flying down, but the attacks launched neutralized each other.
Yet again, Charizard carelessly tore through the smoke of explosion, like a predator hunting its prey, unleashed a dragon pulse at Pikachu.
Pikachu immediately countered with an iron tail, but the force caused it to accelerate as it crashed on the ground.
Charizard landed down as it roared viciously. The dust settled as it revealed Pikachu on its fours, cheeks crackling with electricity as it was battered and spent.
No attacks were made as both pokemon were panting from the exertion, Pikachu worse for the wear.
'Among us, there are normal aura users and masters. I, myself, am a master, but I heard there is a rank above the masters. In this world that chases for the best, there is one absolute best that reigns over all.'
'Come on, an edge more.' Pikachu thought. It could feel it, the strength it has but couldn't use it any further. 'Z-move! I still haven't used it, get up. For Ash, for myself, for all of ourselves.'
'Guardians. They are so rare that at a time only one guardian was recorded. Aura Guardian are those that have opened their hearts for the sake of all pokemon, they protect pokemon, any and all, with all they have gotten.'
'Everyone is counting on you Pikachu. One more leap, one more leap, Ash and I have come this far, one more leap. Together, both of us can do this.' Pikachu concentrated and held on, it could feel the power within itself ever so slightly touch it, empower it.
'Their pokemon are their true strength, they unlock potentials never seen. They are trainers acknowledged by the legends themselves. Did you know, when their partner wants one last push…'
'That is it, I can feel it. I can feel it, everyone, I can feel everyone's hope and dreams, everyone's excitement and cheers, I got this. I can do this, I will do this.' Pikachu yelled as it sparkled with power, the true potential within itself unlocked.
'For the dreams and hopes they worked to, for the ideals they held up, for the journeys and adventures they went together, if all the Guardian's pokemon wished for a dream to come true, then those wishes and hopes won't be a burden on the shoulders of the pokemon.'
Ash could feel the rippling electricity tear through the battlefield as Pikachu supercharged. His wrist itched as he could feel the Z-bracelet resonate with that power.
'No, thanks to their trainer's heart, those wishes that cheer and those hopes that empower, turn into the true potential within their partners. That is the mark of a true and awakened Aura guardian.'
Ash felt the world around him morph as he felt all the energy that flowed in the battlefield at a much slower pace. Leon too realized it, Ash wasn't just some master, he was an Aura guardian.
Ash was a guardian unaware of his true strength, who just awoke to his true potential just now.
"How is it Ash? How does it feel?" Leon asked.
For anyone outside, they might not catch it, but Ash did. The realm of aura boosted one's own senses in parallel to their pokemon, but it was short-lived.
"We will also hold no barrels." Leon declared as Ash lost the feel of the aura realm. He ripped his cape's clasp as it fell back, "Charizard, Mega evolve."
The strands of light emerged from Leon's hand as they collided and combined with Charizard's own. In a flash as Pikachu completed his powering up, Charizard stood mega evolved, in its Y form.
"It is amazing Leon." Ash shouted back. Even though he lost contact with the realm of Aura, he could still feel the aura more vividly now. There was a sense of understanding, all those pieces he had been seeing since he used the mega evolution, z-moves and gigantamaxx. All of those pieces fit like a puzzle. "Let us go pikachu. Quick attack."
Pikachu vanished in a flash as he clashed with Charizard, who stumbled a few feet back from the attack.
'Butterfree, Pidgeot, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charizard, Kingler, Primeape, Muk, Tauros, Lapras, Snorlax…' Pikachu recounted.
"What a speed! I can't even catch it at all." Hop said as he was amazed by the attack.
"Now that was the Pikachu and Ash we wanted to fight." Leon roared with excitement, "Charizard, dragon pulse."
"Iron tail" Ash countered. 'Still not enough.'
'Heracross, Bayleef, Quilava, Totodile, Noctowl, Donphan, Larvitar…' Pikachu continued recounting.
Charizard balanced itself as it stomped ahead and shot a powerful beam of draconic energy at Pikachu. But one swipe from Iron tail just split into sideways as Pikachu was catapulted to above.
"Follow it up with Air slash." Leon ordered.
'Swellow, Sceptile, Corphish, Torkoal, Glalie, Ambipom, Staraptor, Torterra, Infernape, Buizel, Gliscor, Gible…'
Pikachu kept on building power within as it overflowed to the point that electricity filled the air around it, Charizard too was no different as every flap of its wings produced waves of flames. Charizard kept on climbing using Air slashes, keeping some distance in case Pikachu decided to unleash an electric attack. Pikachu countered with Iron tail or used Quick attack to make them into stepping stones.
'Unfezant, Leavanny, Boldore, Palpitoad, Scraggy, Oshawatt, Pignite, Snivy, Krokodile…'
'Why is it going up further?' Leon couldn't understand. Unless the attack was really powerful like thunder, which too will not Charizard due to the accuracy, it would be really easy to miss.
"Go, Quick attack and Iron tail." Ash ordered.
Pikachu suddenly launched at Charizard as it disappeared. Charizard immediately flew above and shot a dragon pulse below, but was immediately pummeled to ground as it was hit from behind on its back.
'Greninja, Talonflame, Goodra, Noivern, Hawlucha, Rowlet, Lycanroc, Incineroar, Naganadel, Melmetal…'
The attack rocked the barrier with its impact carried through wind blades as Pikachu was blown back. Ash set his backwards cap right as he threw it up. Leon recognized that sign.
"Now, let us go all out, Pikachu." Ash yelled with excitement as Leon too powered up his move.
'Dragonite, Gengar, Lucario,Sirfetch'd…'
Pikachu got onto the cap as it descended and bumped its fist and tail with Ash. Pikachu then jumped forward as he was overcharged from the ultra aura.
Leon too had an ace up his sleeve which he hid from the world till now. 'You were really wonderful Ash, pushing me this far. Taste my ultimate move too.'
He had saved a part of dynamaxx energy from before in his aura and released all that into his power.
"Much much bigger than a thunderbolt, no this isn't thunderbolt anymore." Ash said as he crossed his hands, the ultra aura transfer was complete as Pikachu was completely powered up to the max.
"The culmination of our training, the ultimate move that is our symbol." Leon said as Charizard too powered up from the dynamaxx aura.
"Beyond any other attack, become the lightning itself."
"Awaken those burning flames within you and etch this field with flames."
"1 billion volt catastrophe."
"G-max hell's blast."
Both the pokemon unleashed their attacks as they clashed in the middle, quite literally kicking up a hurricane as even the barriers even got cracked.
The spectators were both in awe and fear as the moves didn't budge an inch but the power was making the barrier itself crack.
'ASH, everyone, I, no together, we are winning this battle.' Pikachu unleashed all the power as the hell blast was torn through.
Five more strands of thunder shot past Charizard and connected below Charizard, who was floating above as it kept up the barrage of hell fire. The main beam tore through and pushed Charizard down to the junction of five strands.
Leon felt his aura bond break and he could agree no less. Pokemon are built differently and have a very high pain tolerance but having this aura bond will make pokemon more human or pain intolerant and for the bond he shared, it would pain him too.
This match was over. He knew that, but then he saw it. The main beam unraveled into five more beams like a thread as it pushed down Charizard into the junction, the field itself getting torn from power redirection, but Leon was sure Charizard wasn't taking the brunt of this. One look as Ash confirmed it.
'You truly are an aura guardian, Ash.' Leon thought as the entire field was blinded by the attack, rocks and debris flying all over as the barrier itself broke, the thunder collapsing into a hurricane in the middle, sucking in everything as the winds howled.
And then the thunder stopped as it exploded into the sky, all the debris landing nearby and the dust cleared.
In the center of all the havoc laid Charizard, back in its base form as it fainted. And then Pikachu descended from above as it landed on Charizard in a dramatic pose, the cap flying off it.
"Pika" It roared as it pumped its fist into the air, the crowd roaring back a thousand fold to it.
"Charizard is unable to battle. The winner is Ash Ketchum."
"It happened folks, he did it. We have a new Monarch, the youngest Monarch since inception, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town has been the world's youngest Monarch of Champions."
Ash's knees gave up as it fell down, Pikachu finally fainting as all the adrenaline left it. On this day in history, Ash became the world's youngest Monarch of Champions, only known to a few, youngest Aura guardian.
It is done. Yeah, nearly 12.5k monstrosity of a story, all of this is one shot. (Long rant ahead, please skip to the last para to avoid).
Truth to be said, this was supposed to be another 8k with some more slow pacing as in the beginning but the anime playlist I was listening to went into full on power mode and so did the battle. And you guys should know, once our Ash turns his cap, the battle will be flipped upside down. I know there are some parts that are cringe for me like Sirfetch'd defeat or Leon's hell's blast powering sequence but I just couldn't stop myself. I would have liked to re-read this 4 to 5 more times and correct the parts as this is raw, with only few parts receiving revision. I should have waited until I was done with my endsems but this battle wasn't leaving my head at all. I knew I shouldn't have watched that episode in the middle of endsems last week but I regret nothing. (My exams are not ducked up yet).
Anyways, this story was really hype for me. And I would like to hear your thoughts on it, if you could (pretty please!). Pardon a few of my mistakes as I am occupied with endsems and couldn't proofread it completely, so this isn't my best work. Also, favorite it if you liked it, it makes me happy to know that there are people who also like battles as much as me. Until next time peeps,
- Junior