Ash vs Drake
Drake currently stood on the beachy shore of Draco Island and was in the midst of training and teaching the young generation who all appeared to be only a few months off from getting their first Pokemon. A Haxorus with black scale coloring stood by his side, demonstrating some attacks to the kids, his claws were surrounded by a light green aura as he slashed at a practice dummy that Drake had set up for the demonstration. The dummy was sliced cleanly in half across the waist as the kids cheered.
"And that was Dragon Claw, now I suggest you all either take a sit or grab the person next to you as this attack can be quite ground shaking! Haxorus use-Oh, it appears that you'll all be treated with being able to watch an epic battle between two of the world's strongest trainers!" Drake gave Ash a wave as the Alola champion approached. "Unlike previous matches you may have seen me partake in, Ash should actually provide a challenge. Don't let his looks deceive you, he's actually a champion along with conqueror of the Kanto branch's Battle Frontier!"
A nervous look formed across Zach's face at the small crowd watching their approach, slowing his pace before proceeding to walk behind May and Marnie to obscure the view. May looked back at him and giggled lightly, finding the behavior cute while Marnie gave him a reassuring smile.
"Ash I hope you don't mind if my students watch our battle, otherwise this'll have to wait a few hours."
Ash merely smirked in response, lightly shaking his head as he gave the Elite Four member a thumbs up! "I don't mind a crowd besides I'm eager to get this battle underway!"
"That's the spirit!" Drake shouted as the man pumped his fists, for an old man he sure seemed in great shape and had a spirit of a younger man. "It's been awhile since I've gotten a good fight and I hope you don't disappoint!" He said with a light teasing tone, knowing full well that Ash would live up to his expectations.
The Elite Four member quickly produced a shovel and began dragging it through the sand, leaving behind sand marks that eventually made up the familiar rectangular shape of a battlefield! "There, that should help give the younglings a good idea of where to safely stand." He pointed towards the end closest to town. "You kids stand on that side, Ash's friends will take the other end! Meanwhile I'll go over... here!" Drake ran across the field at quite the surprising speed before turning around at the opposite end of the field. "And Ash you stand right there!"
"Man he's fast!" Zach sweated lightly. "He could probably even keep up with Mustard."
"Good luck, Ash!" Marnie shouted to him as they took their place at the sidelines.
"Bzzzt, welcome challengers!" A Rotom Drone soon appeared and hovered on the side of the battlefield to act as referee. "Today Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, Pokeball class will be going up against the Hoenn Ellte Four member Drake, Master Class."
"M-Master Class?" Chloe spoke up, her eyes widened at the realization of the rank gap.
"Relax Drake doesn't have to move to find challengers, they practically come looking for him. Ash chooses to seek out his opponents instead so of course he'd be at a lower ranking, though if he beats Drake that should vastly improve his ranking." Zach explained. Though he didn't care for the competition itself he was familiar with how it worked as he watched a lot of Cynthia's matches, hoping for the chance to battle her someday!
"Yeah, it's no fun to sit around in place for a long time!" Ash replied with a light laugh, much as he enjoyed his time in Alola he missed getting to travel around the world at his leisure and not having to rush back for scheduled appointments like school. He couldn't imagine sitting around in one city for a majority of a year for a second time, he'd probably go bonkers! "Besides there are a few trainers that I'm itching to track down and get a rematch with! I sure won't find them by laying back and relaxing in Alola or heading back to Kanto!"
"As Challenger Ash Ketchum is still in Pokeball class the battle will be limited to three Pokemon on each side of the field. Challenger Ash Ketchum and Challenger Drake are you ready to pick out your first Pokemon and begin the battle?"
"Ready!" Both trainers shouted simultaneously, their faces full of excitement for the battle to come!
"Then begin!" A airhorn sounded off from within the drone, signaling the start of the match!
"Haxorus will be my first partner," Drake declared as Haxorus took his place in front of his trainer, letting out a roar as he stared across the field at his opponent and awaited Ash's choice.
"I think I'll begin with Snorlax!" Ash grinned as he threw forward a Pokeball, releasing one of his oldest friends onto the field!
"Snorlax!" Snorlax looked down upon Haxorus with a determined expression, it had been quite some time since he faced a powerful trainer and he wasn't about to let Ash down!
"Win this for me and I promise you'll get all the food that you can eat!" Ash shouted while a giant smirk formed across Snorlax's face upon hearing those words. "Now use Ice Punch!"
"Snor!" Snorlax threw back his arm as it became surrounded with icy blue energy before lashing out and striking his opponent's chest! Haxorus let out a grunt as he was pushed back, the Dragon type's claws dug down into the sand to get a firm footing as Drake ordered out the attack.
"Earthquake!"
Ash gritted his teeth as there was no way for Snorlax to avoid that but thankfully it shouldn't do enough to take him down. Haxorus leaped up into the air before landing hard against the ground as the battlefield began shaking, even the audience members and Ash found themselves shaking. That earthquake definitely felt a lot stronger than previous ones Ash had experienced, his legs felt like they were made of jelly even after the attack had come to an end. Snorlax wobbled back and forth slightly but still maintained a great sense of balance and appeared to still be raring to go!
"Alright Snorlax, let's use Heavy Slam!"
"Snorlax!"
"Oh geez, I feel bad for that Haxorus..." Zach muttered, Snorlax weighed over a thousand pounds!
Snorlax leaped up into the air as a silver aura surrounded his body, he flew through the air and crashed right on top of Haxorus with the Dragon type letting out a cry full of pain as he was knocked over and squashed against the ground by the Steel attack.
"Oooh!" Chloe and Zach flinched at the sight while Ash and Drake kept their eyes locked onto the field in anticipation for the result! Snorlax soon rolled off of Haxorus' body, revealing the unconscious Dragon type with swirls present within his eyes!
"Bzzzt, Haxorus is unable to battle!" The Rotom Drone declared. "Challenger Drake, please pick your next Pokemon."
Drake returned Haxorus and began speaking to Ash as he placed the ball back onto his belt, while beginning to reach for another. "You definitely trained that Snorlax well, normally I don't send this guy out this early but it looks like we've got to even up the field. Salamence, let's go!" He hurled a Pokeball out onto the field, it burst open seconds later to reveal Salamence. The mighty Hoenn Dragon letting out a powerful roar and somehow looking even stronger than when Ash last faced him! No doubt it'd prove even more difficult once Drake activated Mega Evolution.
"Now let's show Ash and his friends the true strength of our friendship, a friendship that has spanned throughout decades! Mega Evolve!" Drake shouted as his fingers activated the keystone, the bright pink light began surrounding Salamence before quickly fading away to reveal Mega Salamence, this one looking oddly more intimidating than Pokemon Hunter R's!
Snorlax kept a cool and level head as he stared Mega Salamence down, refusing to back down and not seeming the least bit terrified!
"Hyper Beam!" Ash shouted out as he thrust out his arm.
"You use Hyper Beam as well!" The battle soon turned into a test of will as both Pokemon fired off the familiar beam of yellow-orange energy, the attacks met and began pushing each other back. The attacks were evenly matched at first as neither side appeared to budge but as minutes ticked by Snorlax's beam started getting smaller as it was overpowered by Salamence's, the energy beam made contact with Snorlax shortly afterwards and exploded resulting in a large dust cloud forming and blocking view of the battlefield. For a moment it appeared as if Snorlax had been taken out but as the smoke cleared the Normal type could still be seen standing!
"Snor!"
"Alright, Snorlax!" Ash cheered on his Pokemon and one of his closest friends. "Let's use another Heavy Slam!"
Snorlax smirked as he leaped up into the sky with the silver aura forming around his body, the Normal type soon came crashing down upon Salamence and pressed the Mega Evolution against the ground! Mega Salamence let out a gasp of pain before steadily rising upwards despite the heavy weight quite literally upon his shoulders.
"Flamethrower!"
"Sala!" Salamence opened his mouth as a steady stream of fire came roaring upwards and directly against Snorlax! Smoke began rising from Snorlax's belly as the Normal type let out a loud cry of pain, stumbling backwards and away from Drake as the man thrust out his arm once more.
"And let's finish this, Dragon Pulse!" A multicolored beam of dragon shaped energy fired from Salamence's mouth and flew across the field towards where Snorlax was standing, the attack struck and landed a critical hit as Snorlax's eyes widened from the pain before shortly toppling over with a loud thud, dust getting blown up as a result of the impact and obscuring the view before eventually fading away to reveal the defeated form of Snorlax!
"Bzzzt, Snorlax is unable to battle! Challenger Ash Ketchum please send out your next Pokemon!"
Ash returned Snorlax to his Pokeball and smiled at it. "Thank you Snorlax, you did a great job today and deserve a rest!" He placed the Pokeball back onto his belt before reaching for the next one as he noticed Drake was currently returning his own Pokemon, no doubt saving Mega Salamence for last. "Glalie I choose you!"
"Glalie!" Ash's Ice type Pokemon burst from his Pokeball, giving the opposing side an intimidating stare.
"Let's go, Dragalge!" Drake threw forward a ball to reveal the Kalosian Dragon of the sea! Ash had encountered the species before but never had the chance to battle it until now, an excited look formed across his face before he pumped his fists and shouted out the first attack!
"Use Blizzard!"
"Glalie!" Glalie opened his mouth as a powerful blizzard flew out and was unleashed upon the opposing side! Dragalge's body shivered as the cold breeze flew across it's body but the Poison/Dragon still looked raring to go!
"Sludge Wave!" A wave of dark purple sludge began forming around Dragalge before quickly being hurled at her opponent!
"Dodge it, quick!" Glalie swiftly moved aside before regaining focus on the opponent. "Now use Crunch!"
"Glalie!" Glalie flew forward and bit Dragalge's tail!
"Thunderbolt!" Drake quickly ordered, catching the viewing trainer's by surprise as the Pokemon's body sparked with electricity before unleashing it upon Glalie! The Ice type cried out as electricity flowed through his body but he remained strong and standing, refusing to let Ash down!
"Let's use another Blizzard!"
Glalie opened his mouth as he unleashed another Blizzard upon Dragalge, luck appeared to be on Ash's side as Dragalge soon became encased in a block of ice! Drake gritted his teeth and let out a frustrated grunt at the sight while Ash was free to attack once more!
"Iron Head!" Glalie's head glowed bright silver as he charged across the field and slammed his head against the block of ice, cracking it and striking Dragalge's body with the Poison/Dragon Pokemon being flung back before crashing down in a defeated heap as the Rotom Drone buzzed out the results.
"Bzzzt, Dragalge is unable to battle! Challenger Drake please release your final Pokemon!"
"Heh, hahaha! This battle is proving to be more exciting than I hoped for, it's been years since somebody new put me in a corner like this! Not since Steven!" The elder Elite Four member laughed as he returned Dragalge before fetching the ball containing Mega Salamence as he threw it back out to resume his place on the field. "But not many trainers can say that they've beaten my Salamence, do you think you have what it takes?"
"I know I do!" Ash shouted. "Glalie can you still fight?!"
"Glalie!" The Ice type responded by facing his trainer and giving him a large grin.
"Alright then, let's start off with Blizzard!"
"Glalie!" Glalie opened up his mouth and unleashed a powerful blizzard upon Salamence.
"Counter with Flamethrower!" Salamence opened his mouth and fired off a hot stream of fire that blasted majority of the blizzard away though he still took damage from the remaining bit, while the fire flew through the storm and struck Glalie!
"Glalie!" Glalie's body was scorched but the Pokemon remained standing, from the look of things that wouldn't be much longer though. As strong as Ash's Pokemon were it was going to take the effort of all of them to take Salamence down and thankfully there was still one Pokemon left to use!
"Wow I'm surprised Glalie survived, I could feel that heat from here!" Marnie was sweating along with the rest of the group and a few students too from the look of things.
"Well Glalie is one of Ash's strongest Pokemon, at least he was back when I traveled with him." May explained with a light smile as she reminisced about the old days.
"Think you've still got an attack in you?" Ash asked his Pokemon with Glalie quickly responding with a nod and a cry of confirmation.
"Glalie!"
"Than let's do this, Gyro Ball!"
"Glalie!" The Ice type began rapidly spinning before spinning on across the field and crashing his body into Salamence! The Mega Evolution uttered out a roar of pain, his eyes narrowed as he uttered out a fierce growl.
"Flamethrower!"
"Gyro Ball again, let's try and reflect the damage!"
Glalie began spinning in place as the stream of fire came blasting out of Salamence's mouth, Glalie's movements made most of the flames reflect from his body as he spun through the attack and struck Salamence once more, the Dragon type threw back his head and let out a pained groan while Glalie collapsed from exhaustion from the attack usage along with the effect of the flames.
"Bzzt Glalie is unable to battle, Ash Ketchum please release your final Pokemon." Ash knew it was going to be a close one but he was positive that they could pull off a win, Glalie and Snorlax had both dished out a fair amount of damage.
"Latias I choose you!" Latias burst from her ball and gave Salamence a light smirk. The students began chanting out excitedly at the sight of the Hoenn legendary Pokemon!
"I await your command, chosen one!"
"I-Stop calling me that!" Ash's face turned red as Ash's friends turned to one another in confusion, wondering just what she said all the time that upset him. Ash then reached out for his own Mega Ring, fingers activating the keystone which resulted in the ring emitting a light glow. "Latias I know we just met a week ago but I feel like we're already great friends, let's show off our bond with Mega Evolution!"
Latias' body was surrounded by the pink glow before fading away to reveal the form of Mega Latias! Ash had experienced it before but this time felt much more real, it was the first time that he was in full control of the form!
"Psychic!" Latias' eyes glowed blue in response, Salamence's body was encased in a similar blue coloring as he was flung about by the attack before being slammed against the ground!
"Let's see how much power that Latias of yours can withstand, Hyper Beam!"
"Chosen one let me use Psychic on the blast!"
"Huh?" Ash didn't get what was going on but decided to trust her. "Use Psychic on the attack!"
Latias' eyes glowed blue as she unleashed her attack, halting the energy beam in place before redirecting it and sending it back at Salamence whose expression turned to that of surprise as the attack exploded upon meeting his own body!
"Heh, not bad kid." Drake commented.
Ash knew there was an opening as Salamence would need to recharge his batteries after the attack. "Latias, use Dragon Pulse!"
Latias opened her mouth and fired off the multicolored dragon shaped energy blast upon Salamence, the attack struck and Salamence began showing visible signs of tiredness.
"Giga Impact!" Drake shouted out.
Mega Salamence's body became surrounded by an orange sphere of energy as he flew across the field and crashed his body against his opponent, landing a critical blow as Latias let out a loud cry. Her breathing appeared to grow heavy as she narrowed her eyes at Salamence. Soon rising up and letting out a cry as she awaited Ash's command!
"Psychic!"
"Flamethrower!"
Latias' eyes glowed blue as she lifted Salamence up and flipped him over to face the ground, Salamence's flames causing the Dragon to quickly blast off into the sky as Latias held onto him and prevented him from regaining control and balance. Her eyes turned to normal once the attack ceased, dropping Mega Salamence from what had to be at least three stories as he came crashing towards the ground with a loud thud, leaving a huge crater in the middle of the beach with his defeated form in the middle of it.
"Sala... mence..." The dragon cried as he returned to his regular form, Drake formed a light smirk as he returned Salamence to his Pokeball before turning to face Ash.
"Bzzzt, Salamence is no longer able to battle meaning that Challenger Ash Ketchum is the winner! Currently updating ranking... updating... updating... updating complete! Challenger Ash Ketchum you are now in Great classing! You are now eligible to use four Pokemon in official matches so long as your opponent is above Pokeball class!" The Rotom Drone informed Ash before turning away to deliver the recording.
Latias let out a cry before headbutting Ash and knocking him to the ground as she nuzzled him affectionately. "We did it, we did it!" She cried out while Ash laughed and gently pat her back, his gaze turned towards Drake as he saw the man approaching with his hand reaching into his pocket. Ash gave Latias a light prod and she quickly got off of him so Drake and him could talk.
"That was an amazing battle, young Ketchum. Never has somebody your age delivered quite the exciting battle! If you keep this up I'm sure that you could even give Steven Stone a run for his money!" Drake praised, holding out his hand for Ash to shake. Ash reached out and shook it, noticing that Drake held a very tight and strong grip before feeling something being left in his hand.
Ash gazed downwards and noticed what appeared to be a Mega Stone, which one Ash had no clue as he never learned how to tell the difference.
"Garchompite!" Zach fanboyed at the sight.
Drake noticed Ash's confusion and laughed. "I'm well aware that you have a Gabite, I hope that will come in handy someday. Consider it your reward for beating me and my gift to you in exchange for making me feel young again! Now let me dismiss my students and I'll treat you and your friends to a big feast in honor of your victory!"
From afar Latios had been watching, a light smirk crossed his face at the sight of his sister's victory. "Good job, sis!" He said before quickly blasting off and disappearing into the horizon once more.
Night had fallen upon the island, the darkness being fended off by torches that lit up the beach as Drake true to his word threw a feast in celebration of Ash's victory but he'd let anyone that wanted to from the village join in. There was a lot of food after all, wasn't anything too fancy due to the lack of electricity but Salamence's flamethrower still helped make a delicious steak!
Marnie stood to the side, her arms crossed as a sour look formed upon her face at the sight of several village girl's attempting to flirt with Ash upon hearing about his victory over the town's leader. Morpeko was currently helping himself to her food due to her lack of attention while her other Pokemon stood next to her and ate their own food. Chloe soon walked over and took a glance at what Marnie was looking at before tugging on her arm. "If it bothers you that much why don't you say something to him?" She asked.
Marnie's face shot bright red as she nervously glanced to the side. "I'm worried about how it'd affect our friendship... and the group. My brother dated a girl that he was friends with and it didn't go well for him at all, it left him broken and what winded up spurning his desire to go into the music career. The two never spoke since and she left the region from what I heard."
"You know he's bound to get a lot of female fans or make friends with other females along the way, if you don't hurry somebody else might snatch him first and you'll just live with the regret."
Marnie knew Chloe had a point, Ash sure seemed close to Bea and the girl clearly liked him... but did Ash even think of her that way?
"Well enough of that, come join us. I'm sure being amongst friends will help keep you distracted!" Chloe tugged on her arm once more and this time Marnie followed her to the far end where Zach could be seen feeding Dratini as the Pokemon sat in his lap. Scorbunny had her arms crossed as she was jealous of the attention the Dragon had constantly received the past couple of days, her foot tapped impatiently before he eventually pulled out a spare Lure Ball and held it out to Dratini.
"Alright Dratini, now that we're leaving the island I'm gonna have to ask that you get into the ball so I don't have to worry about losing you somewhere." Dratini let out a happy coo before tapping the Pokeball with his tail as he was engulfed in a bright red light, the Pokeball quickly shook within the palm of his hand before chiming to announce the capture followed swiftly by Dratini's data being registered as he was officially made part of the team!
"Dratini the Dragon Pokemon, Dratini dwells near bodies of rapidly flowing water, such as the plunge pools of waterfalls. As it grows Dratini will shed its skin many times!"
"I'm glad that you're feeling better now," May spoke with a warm smile as she focused on eating her food. "I couldn't help but feel responsible in some way for it, Butterfree did choose my Beautifly after all."
"It's not your fault at all," Zach quickly shook his head. "I have attachments to all of my Pokemon, they're like a family to me." Even Linoone despite him not being a great team player as of late.
"Ah well, I'm sure that your Pokemon feel the same way about you." May's eyes flickered towards Lucario and the others who were all eagerly digging away at their meal. "They all seem to care a great deal for you, I guess you could say the same about me. Watching over my Munchlax is a lot like having a sibling that can't stay out of trouble." May laughed.
Ash soon returned after having another discussion with Drake. "Alright so I've got word on where I can track down the next Elite Four member, Glacia is currently training on a remote island to the north of Hoenn. Phoebe is at Mt. Pyre and Sidney is in Fallabor Town!"
"So where are we going first?" Marnie asked while she pulled out her Rotom Phone. "Glacia is kinda remote but if we head up there first then it shouldn't take too long to reach Mt. Pyre from what I see."
"Fallabor Town is close to a desert we could potentially find fossils, I wouldn't mind stopping there whenever we pass through." Zach was also viewing his Rotom Phone's map app.
"I think I'd like to face Glacia first, it's been years since I've faced off with an Ice specialist!" Ash exclaimed with fire burning in his eyes. "Plus this gives a chance to let Incineroar and Emboar prove themselves!"
"So you'll be in Hoenn for a bit longer? Don't mind if I stick around for a bit longer then do you?" May asked.
"Why wouldn't we? It's nice traveling in a large group." Zach stated with a smile.
"Yeah, we're happy ta have you for awhile!" Marnie smiled.
And so Ash has successfully beaten Drake! What next awaits our fair heroes?
