Before long all the invited competitors had landed in the Stralia Region. The first thing they were told was to go to the nearest Pokémon Centre, present their invitation to Nurse Joy and register for either the Pokémon League or Grand Festival. It didn't take long for all the traitors arrogant about the upcoming competition to register.
"So, this is the Stralia Region huh?" asked Misty. "Doesn't look so tough to me!"
"Yeah, but it's a lot hotter here then I was expecting," said Kenny wiping sweat off his face.
"That'll just make this an easy victory for me," gloated Misty. "Considering how hot and dry this land is, I think it's pretty safe to bet that most of the trainers here will favour either rock, ground or fire types and as the world's best water Pokémon Trainer, becoming champion of this region will be a piece of cake."
"Don't be so sure," said Iris, who's large amount of hair was soaked in sweat. "The sunlight of this region is really harsh, the fire types might get increased strength from just being in this region."
"Even so, I'll still have a huge advantage," gloated Misty arrogantly.
"Against fire types maybe, but definitely not against dragon types," said Iris. "I think I'm the one you should be worrying about."
"Not if my water types can use ice moves," stated Misty.
"Something tells me ice won't be very useful in this region," retorted Iris.
"That's the least of your problems," said Paul, joining the group. "If anyone's going to win, it's gonna be me."
"Well, look who decided to show up," stated Kenny. "I figured becoming champion in an unknown region would be beneath someone like you."
"Normally it would be, but I've yet to earn my proper title of Sinnoh Champion, so I'll settle with being Stralian Champion for now," stated Paul. "Besides we've already got a few other champions competing in this competition so I should at least get a few decent battles."
"You'll get more than a decent battle. You'll get destroyed," declared Iris. "You might as well focus on your original goal of being Sinnoh Champion, because there's no way you're winning while the Unova Champion's here."
"I think you mean former Unova Champion," said Trip joining the group. "Once I'm finished making light work of the trainers here, I'll be heading back to the Unova Region to take your title."
"Yeah sure, that's what you said last time we fought," said Iris crossing her arms.
"Well, that was a long time ago, I've gotten way stronger since then, which I'll prove to you if we ever meet on the battlefield," stated Trip.
"Then I have nothing to worry about, because you'll probably lose in the first round like you did when you first attempted the Unova League. Not to mention you lost against Ash which only makes your loss even more pathetic," gloated Iris.
"Hey, we didn't know he was drugging his pokémon back then," lied Trip. "If he'd fought me honestly, I would've taken him down in a flash."
"Whatever you say," said Iris.
"You know you shouldn't be so confident about your abilities," said Alain joining the conversation. He was followed by Sawyer. "Even if most dragon types are very strong, relying on a single type of pokémon can put you at a great disadvantage."
"Yeah, all someone would need to do to defeat you is have very strong fairy types," said Sawyer. "Your dragon moves would have no effect on them, after which you'd be trumped by fairy type moves."
"There's more to a Pokémon Battle then just having a type advantage. You also need to have a decent strategy," interjected Misty.
"Says the girl who relies almost exclusively on water types," said Paul. "Most of your pokémon wouldn't last two minutes against my Torterra or Electivire."
"Oh really? Then how about we settle this right here and now?" asked Misty.
"I would, but it'd just be a waste of my time," stated Paul.
"What did you say?" asked Misty enraged.
"Misty calm down, don't let him get in your head," said May.
"Besides beating him now would mean nothing," stated Zoey who had spotted the group and joined them. "If you really want to beat someone, the best way to do it is in a crowd where everyone is watching."
"Zoey, good to see you," said May. "You also entering the Grand Festival?"
"Wouldn't miss it, I'm eager to see how the coordinators in this region compete," said Zoey.
"Don't hold your breath," said Kenny looking at the locals. "Something tells me most of the locals won't put up much of a fight."
"Yeah, these people look like they've never even seen a contest let alone participated in one," agreed May. "I'd put money on it that the title of Top Coordinator in this region will end up just being a competition between you, me, Drew and Kenny."
"Yeah, talk about an easy victory," laughed Kenny.
"I think we can all agree that the winners of this event won't be locals," stated Misty.
"I wouldn't be so sure," said a voice.
The group froze. The voice, it had changed, but they still recognised it instantly. But it couldn't be...
"The trainers here shouldn't be underestimated. They're amongst the toughest I've ever seen. Same goes for their pokémon," stated the voice.
The group turned and couldn't believe their eyes. It was Ash Ketchum. And not just Ash, standing with him were Dawn, Brock, Gary, Clemont, Bonnie and most surprisingly of all Max.
"Also, I wouldn't underestimate the coordinators. They'll challenge you in ways you've never thought possible," said Dawn.
May, however wasn't listening. She couldn't believe her eyes. After seven years of being missing, her brother was now standing right in front of her. He had only been a kid when she last saw him, but now he was a teenager.
"Max?" asked May.
He gave her a dirty look.
"I'm sorry, but do we know each other?" asked Max angrily.
May was hurt by her brother's response, but Misty had another question.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Misty.
"Better question, how are you still alive?" asked Iris.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to compete in the Pokémon League," said Ash.
"We all are," said Brock.
"Well, most of us," stated Dawn. "I'm competing in the grand festival."
"Point is, if there's anyone you should be worried about it's us," said Gary.
The traitors laughed.
"Yeah right, like they'd ever let a dirty cheater like you compete," said Misty.
"Why wouldn't they? I'm one of the eight Gym Leaders you can challenge in this region," said Ash presenting the badge that represented his gym.
"What?" stammered May.
"But how?" asked Kenny.
"Well to answer Iris' earlier question. I'm still alive because this is where we fled after I was accused," said Ash. "The Professor of this region did a thorough examination of my pokémon and upon determining I was innocent, they granted all of us asylum."
"After that we were allowed to travel across the Region," said Clemont.
"During this time, there were only five active gyms, but we became the leaders of the remaining three," said Brock, as he and Clemont presented the badges awarded to winners.
"How the hell did you convince the people here you were innocent?" asked Misty angrily.
"I already told you that. You really need to listen when someone's explaining something to you," said Ash.
"Yeah right, you might have fooled the rest of the region, but you won't fool us," said Iris.
"She's right, Professor Oak told us personally that before you stole your pokémon from his lab they all tested positive for performance enhancing drugs," stated Misty.
"He told you that did he?" asked Ash. "Looks like he didn't tell you everything."
"What do you mean?" asked May curiously.
"I'm not even gonna bother telling you, because I know you won't listen," stated Ash. "Come on guys let's go."
Ash and his friends turned to leave, but the traitors weren't done.
"And where do you think you're going?" asked Misty.
"What do you care?" asked Brock.
"I care because I think it's disgraceful, they're letting people like you compete," said Misty.
"What do you plan to do about it exactly?" asked Gary.
"What else? We're going to tell the police what you did which should have Ash disqualified," said Iris.
"They've already heard the story and as I've now said twice, I was declared innocent when I first got here and that was seven years ago," said Ash.
"Well maybe we should tell Professor Oak. I'm sure he could do something to make sure you're disqualified," stated Misty.
"Go ahead, that dumb old geezer doesn't have any power here," said Max.
May was appalled by how her brother was acting.
"Max, don't you dare talk about Professor Oak that way," said May.
"Shut up," said Max.
"Excuse me?" asked May.
"You heard me," spat Max.
"How dare you speak to your sister that way. Do you have any idea what you've put Mum and Dad through these last seven years?" asked May.
"Why should I care? I'm pretty sure they disowned me seven years ago. And if they didn't, I did," said Max.
"Disowned you? Max we were trying to help you," said May.
"Help me?" asked Max. "You got Mum and Dad to send me away to Military School, where I was bullied and tortured by both the students and the teachers."
"That was to teach you a lesson. Can't you see we were just trying to help you see what happens when you cheat and abuse pokémon?" asked May.
"Which I never did, because I wasn't even a trainer back then," stated Max.
"Maybe not, but you still supported a cheater and abuser," argued May.
Max rolled his eyes.
"May wake up. Do you ever stop and listen to yourself when you say the words 'Ash drugged his pokémon'?" asked Max. "After everything you saw Ash do on his journey, after all the kindness he showed to both people and pokémon alike, how can you possibly think Ash would stoop so low to drugging his pokémon?"
"It was just an act to hide what he was really doing," stated May, but she didn't sound convinced.
"Keep telling yourself that May, but just remember, Ash helped make you into the Coordinator you are today, so the fact that you couldn't give him the benefit of the doubt just shows that not only are you a horrible friend, you're also a moron," stated Max.
This infuriated the traitors.
"How dare you talk to your sister like that, show some respect," demanded Iris.
"Do you have any idea how much you hurt her and your parents, not only by siding with a cheater, but by running away when they were trying to help you?" asked Misty. "Apologise right now."
"No, as far as I'm concerned my family died seven years ago," stated Max. "And I don't think we have to worry about May winning the Grand Festival, especially if she needs other people to fight her battles for her."
"She's going to need a burn heal for that," quipped Bonnie, causing Ash's friends to laugh.
This time it was May who became infuriated.
"Can't fight my own battles huh?" asked May. "I think it's about time someone taught you a lesson."
"And how do you intend to do that?" asked Max.
"With a Pokémon Battle," stated May.
"And why would I battle you?" asked Max.
"I'm guessing you're competing in the Pokémon League?" asked May.
"Yeah, I won all eight badges fair and square," stated Max.
"Then beating a Coordinator like me should be easy. Unless of course you're scared," said May.
Max shrugged.
"You know what, fine. I could use a warmup before the league begins," stated Max. "But I'm guessing there's something you want from me if I lose?"
"You got that right. If I win, you're going to forfeit the league, come home, apologise to Mum and Dad for everything you've done, then you're going to be punished for your crimes," ordered May.
"Alright May, you got yourself a deal," said Max. "But it's kinda hard for you to force me to go home when I'm already home."
"Oh, I'm looking forward to putting you in your place," said May, removing a pokéball.
"Um what're you doing?" asked Max.
"We're having a battle," said May.
"Hey, we're in a Pokémon Centre you can't do that in here," said Ash.
"And believe me you do not want to anger the Nurse Joys of this region," said Dawn.
"I learnt that the hard way," stated Brock rubbing his cheek.
"Then where are they supposed to battle?" demanded Kenny.
"Geez there's a stadium right outside they can battle there," stated Gary.
"Alright, lead the way," said May pocketing her ball.
The traitors followed Ash and his friends outside to a nearby stadium. May stood on one side with the traitors standing behind her, while Max stood at the other side with his friends behind him. Ash's secret followers also stayed on the side of the traitors so they wouldn't look suspicious.
"So, how do you want to do this May?" asked Max.
"Two pokémon each," said May.
"Fine by me," said Max.
Brock went to the middle of the stadium to referee.
"The battle between Max Maple and May Maple will now begin. Each trainer will be allowed to use two pokémon each and the battle will end when all the pokémon on one team are unable to battle. Begin."
"Blaziken, take the stage," said May throwing a pokéball, which released a large bipedal, birdlike humanoid creature that was a fire/fighting type.
"So going with Blazikan from the start?" thought Max adjusting his glasses. "I could surprise her with my Stralian Krookodile, but she'll already be expecting me to have a type advantage with that no matter what region it's from. I think I want her to believe she'll have the type advantage."
"Kangaskhan go," yelled Max throwing his pokéball.
"A normal type Max?" laughed May. "How do you expect to beat me with that when I'm using a fighting type?"
Kangaskhan appeared before them.
"Wait, that's not a Kangaskhan," stated Misty.
"Well, maybe this place is like the Alolan Region where they have different variations of certain pokémon," stated Iris.
May pulled out her pokédex to scan the creature in front of her.
"Data not found," said the machine.
"Here, let me enlighten you," said Ash, pulling out the pokédex that was given to Stralian Trainers.
"Kangaskhan, the Parent Pokémon. The harsh deserts and hot sun of the Stralia Region have forced this creature to fight a lot harder for survival resulting in not only its brownish-red appearance, but also its immense and diverse strength as a fighting type."
"Wait, so you're saying that the Kangaskhan in this region are fighting types?" asked May.
"Yep, meaning neither of us has a type advantage. And unlike in the other regions there are plenty of them for people to catch. What you're looking at is a symbol of this entire region," said Max.
"Well, it's still not strong enough to beat my Blaziken," declared May before pointing. "Use Blazekick."
"Bounce," ordered Max lifting a hand to the sky.
Kangaskhan used its huge back legs and tail to jump into the air and avoid the attack.
"What the?" exclaimed May amazed by how high it jumped.
"I guess the pokédex forgot to mention its jumping abilities," gloated Max while adjusting his glasses and smiling. "Oh and what was it you were saying about type advantages?"
May knew she was in trouble. Bounce was a flying type move, so if the Kangaskhan managed to hit her Blazikan it would take serious damage.
"That won't save you," stated May pointing to the sky. "Blaziken, Sky Uppercut."
Blaziken's fist started to glow and the creature jumped into the air at Kangaskhan. Little did May know, this was just what Max was hoping she'd do.
"Kangaskhan now," ordered Max clenching his fists.
Kangaskhan went into the second stage of the Bounce move and started plummeting towards Blaziken. The two attacks collided in mid-air with Kangaskhan's Bounce quickly gaining dominance. Due to Kangaskhan's weight and the force of the fall, Blaziken was helpless as the two of them smashed into the ground. Blaziken had taken a great deal of damage and was struggling to get to its feet. Max wouldn't let this happen.
"Jump and use Cross Crop," ordered Max swiping his hands downwards.
Kangaskhan jumped into the air and came down to attack Blaziken with a bone crushing attack. Despite all the damage it had taken, Blaziken wasn't out of this fight yet. With great effort it stood up.
"Overheat," said a desperate May.
Blaziken shot a large beam of fire at Kangaskhan that was noticeably more intense than it was in other regions. Max had to do something, or he'd be in trouble.
"Dodge it," he ordered throwing his arm to the sky.
Kangaskhan jumped again and managed to evade the attack.
"I missed?" asked a horrified May.
"Yeah, but this won't. Aura Sphere," ordered Max pointing at Blaziken.
Kangaskhan put out its hand and shot a large blue ball of energy at Bliaziken. True to Max's word, the attack hit its mark.
Blaziken fell unconscious to the ground.
"Blaziken is unable to battle, the battle goes to Kangaskhan!" declared Brock.
The traitors couldn't believe what they were seeing. How had Max gotten so strong?
"So, ready to give up yet?" asked Max.
"Not a chance," said May. "Don't forget I still have one Pokémon left."
"Suit yourself," shrugged Max.
"And I'm warning you, you may have caught me off guard once but that won't happen again," declared May, before pointing a pokéball at Blaziken. "Return."
"We'll see about that," thought Max.
"Blastoise, take the stage," said May throwing a pokéball. A large turtle like pokémon appeared before them.
"So, your Wartortle evolved? Good to see you haven't been slacking these last seven years," stated Max.
"Just choose your next pokémon so we can get this over with," ordered May.
"Alright," said Max aiming a pokéball. "Kangaskhan you did great, return."
Max thought about who he should use next. On the one hand he could choose his Septile and make easy work of May's Blastoise, but May said Max wouldn't catch her off guard again. He wanted to see if he could prove her wrong.
"Dengo, I choose you," said Max throwing a pokéball. The red furred native canine appeared before him.
May again had no idea what this what. She held up her pokédex in the hope of getting some answers.
"Data not found," said May's pokédex.
"Honestly you should really get that updated," said Max bringing out his own pokédex.
"Dengo, the Native Dog Pokémon. This canine can survive in the harshest deserts in the Stralia Region, and its sharp teeth, claws and immense fire power make it an extremely dangerous animal to encounter in the wild," stated Max's pokédex.
"Seriously Max? A fire type?" asked May. "How do you expect to win when you deliberately choose a pokémon with a huge disadvantage?"
"You obviously weren't paying attention to the last battle," thought Max.
"Whatever, I'll make quick work of this puppy and then your Kangaskhan is next," said May. "Blastoise, Water Gun."
Blastoise opened its mouth and shot a large blast of water.
"Dengo, Flamethrower," countered Max gesturing at Blastoise.
Dengo opened its mouth and shot an intense beam of fire to counter. The attacks clashed and a struggle of power began.
"Max, give it up. There's no way that'll… Wait a minute, why isn't it extinguishing the fire?" asked a puzzled May.
Normally a Water Gun would make quick work of a Flamethrower, but May's water attack seemed to be doing very little against the fire.
"Now Dengo, give it everything you got," ordered Max clenching his fist.
"DENGO."
Dengo opened its mouth wider and produced a barrage of immense flames. Instead of being extinguished by the water, the flames were starting to make the water evaporate.
"No way," said May.
The fire overpowered the water and hit Blastoise with full force. Being a water type the attack didn't do too much damage, but Blastoise had definitely felt the heat of Dengo's Flamethrower.
"But how?" asked May who couldn't believe what had happened.
"Did you not notice the intense heat of this region?" asked Max the sun gleaming off his glasses. "The sun here is so hot, that fire types can almost stand as equals to water types. I guess you didn't notice that your Blaziken's overheat was significantly stronger than it would've been in the Hoenn Region. You should've been paying attention May, because I've now caught you off guard for the second time."
"Yeah, well this battle isn't over yet," said May before pointing at Dengo. "Hydro Pump and give it all you've got."
"Dodge while using Quick Attack," ordered Max while swiping his arm.
Blastoise shot a large cannon of water at Dengo, but the speed of the creature allowed it to dodge the attack. It was now heading straight for Blastoise.
"Withdraw," ordered May.
Blastoise withdrew into its shell, so it would take less damage as Dengo made contact.
"Bite the shell and use Thunder Fang," ordered Max.
Dengo bit Blastoise's shell with electrified fangs. While withdrawing into its shell had protected Blastoise against Quick Attack, it was helpless to defend against Thunder Fang which electrocuted the pokémon's entire body.
"Blastoise, come out quickly and use Hydro Pump," ordered May in a desperate attempt to switch the battle in her favour.
Both Blastoise's head and shoulder cannons came out of its shell, but this was what Max was hoping it would do.
"Quick bite its head," ordered Max.
Dengo jumped and sank its sharp teeth into Blastoise's head.
"THUNDER FANG!" yelled Max with clenched fists.
Dengo electrified its fangs and now that it had direct contact with Blastoise, the intensity of the attack was far greater. Once delivered, Dengo ran back to Max to prepare for Blastoise's next attack. This attack never came. Blastoise fell to the ground defeated.
"Blastoise is unable to battle, the winner is Dengo and Max," declared Brock.
"I'd say you put up a decent fight, but that would be lying," said Max crossing his arms.
May feel to her knees. She couldn't believe it. Max had beaten her. How had he gotten so strong?
Thanks for reading. I'm sorry this took a little longer, life's been a bit crazy lately. Please let me know what you think, especially with regards to my first Pokémon Battle, as I've always had doubts in my abilities to write fights. I also want to give a special thanks to katanaeyegaming for helping with the battle in this chapter, your advice was very helpful and appreciated.
Thanks again for reading. See you soon.
