Last Time, Ash and the gang arrived at Opelucid City, and Iris met some familiar faces, she's nervous to show her unevolved Axew in front of them, but after a while she eventually does, they aren't very impressed, but Drayden's Haxorus, who is Axew's mother by the way, as well as Drayden, but not the Elder, still believe she can do it, they all train for a while, and Iris sees the great bond formed between Haxorus and Axew, and she contemplates letting him go, meanwhile Drayden and the Elder discuss the future of the Opelucid gym, of which Iris will soon take over, when she's ready at least, they say if Axew doesn't evolve soon the fate of the gym could be dire.
It was breakfast time in Opelucid, Iris and the gang ate with Drayden, while their pokemon went off to play.
"Hey Drayden" Ash called.
"Yes Ash?" Said Drayden.
"Do you know when I could meet the Opelucid city gym leader?" Ash asked.
"Whenever you feel you are ready" Drayden said. "They are quite a challenge"
"Hmm, how about at noon" Ash suggested. "I'll train just before then, and be ready for anything"
"If you say so, I know the gym leader very well, and that they'd love to do battle with you" Drayden said. "Just make sure you're absolutely ready okay"
"Well, I will be, after I finish eating this delicious soup, OM NOM NOM" Ash said, gorging on his stew, Drayden sweat dropped.
'Mom?' Axew said.
'Yes Axew?' Haxorus responded.
'Can we train again today?' Axew asked.
'Eh, maybe' Haxorus said.
'Maybe?' Braviary spoke up. 'Why a maybe?'
'Well, I might become a little tired today, depends how things go during noon'
'During noon? What's happening then?' Axew asked.
'You'll find out' Haxorus simply said.
"Alright guys, today we are going to challenge the gym, but that's not happening til noon, so we've got a few hours to train" Ash said. "So let's get going!"
'What do you guys think this gym will have anyway?' Krokorok asked.
'We are in a village full of dragons' Dewott said. 'My Ice Beam can deal with them easily'
'Hmm, well in that case, we should train up that' Krokorok said. 'Alright hit me with the best Ice Beam you got!'
'Are you sure, you are weak to ice'
'Oh please, I've taken on a Beartic before, I'll be fine' Krokorok said, standing back with an over confident expression. 'Come on I can take it'
'Alright then' Dewott fired an Ice Beam, Krokorok faced turned into one of fear just before the freezing beam struck him, causing his sunglasses to fly off his face.
'Arg! That's too strong!' Krokorok screamed in agony.
'I don't want to say I told you so, but I told you so' Dewott said.
'Deino, maybe you could hit me with some dragon type moves' Whirlipede said.
'Why?' Deino simply responded.
'You know to build up a resistance' Whirlipede said.
'If you say so' Deino fired Dragon Rage, which hit Whirlipede.
'Ooh that was a good one, do it again' Whirlipede said, before being struck by Dragon Rage again.
Servine and Braviary were training together, while Axew and Emolga watched.
'So what do you think will happen in the gym battle Axew?' Emolga asked.
'I don't know, I mean Ruffie, Auntie Servine, Auntie Whirlipede, Uncle Dewott, Uncle Krokorok, and Uncle Pikachu are all really strong, but I faced off against two dragons now, I see that they're pretty strong too, especially my mom, she's nice, but she can also battle pretty good, I only wish I could see her full power you know, but for now she's going easy on me'
'Oh, that's a rather different answer than what I thought you were going to give to me' Emolga said.
'Don't get me wrong I still love you guys too, and think you're great battlers, it's just that other dragon types are so cool! And the thing is I could become like that' Axew said, eyes glimmering.
Wow is this the same Axew that's been clung to Iris all this time? 'Well that's a nice goal to work towards' His mother really left an impression on him, didn't she?
"Man would you look at that, only an hour before noon" Ash said. "Alright guys, keep up the great work! We'll be doing the battle in under an hour okay!"
One hour later…
"Drayden, it's noon now" Ash said.
"Ah, it is, well I suppose we better start heading to the gym now, Haxorus return"
'Bye Axew'
'Bye mom'
Haxorus was returned.
"Come on Axew, let's go watch Ash's battle" Iris said, of course she already knew who the gym leader was, she lived in Opelucid long enough to know everybody, at least before she left.
"Let's go then" Cilan said.
Drayden led the four to a large building that was dark and rugged, the Elder was standing in front of the door, she led them inside, the gym was dimmed, but still bright enough to see, in the center stood a battlefield, multiple statues of various dragon type pokemon guarded the gym, Dragonite, Tyranitar, Kingdra, Flygon, Altaria, Salamence, Garchomp, Druddigon, Hydreigon, Haxorus, The Eon Duo, Rayquaza, The Creation Trio, and the Tao Trio.
Drayden went over to one end of the battlefield, and Ash to another.
"So where's the gym leader?" Ash asked.
"Why you're looking at him" Drayden said.
"No way, so you're" Cilan said, before being cut off.
"The Opelucid city gym leader" Iris said.
"That is true" Elder said. "The title of gym leader is held by our mayor Drayden, the best dragon master in Unova, for you to beat him, you must have the upmost battle prowess, and the strongest will"
"Whoa, that's really intimidating" Ash said.
"You are allowed six pokemon, meanwhile the gym leader is only allowed three" Elder said.
"Three against six?" Cilan said, surprised. "Won't that be too easy?"
"Ho ho, you'd think it would be if you faced any of the other gyms" Elder said, smugly.
"Hey!" Cilan shouted angrily.
"But the Opelucid gym is different, you will need every pokemon you can get" Elder said.
"Well alright then" Ash said.
"Ash are you ready?" Drayden asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be" Ash replied.
"Then we shall begin" Drayden said. "Druddigon go!"
"Whirlipede, I choose you!"
"I'll let you have the first move" Drayden said.
"Alright, Whirlipede use Rollout!"
"Druddigon dodge and use Flamethrower"
Whirlipede shot forwards, but Druddigon flew over her, and blasted her with flames.
"Whirlipede, use Twineedle"
Whirlipede shot out a Twineedle hitting Druddigon twice, but without poison.
"Druddigon use Flash Cannon"
"Dodge it!"
Druddigon's Flash Cannon cut into the ground, and went towards Whirlipede.
Whirlipede rolled as if it was the last day of the world, but eventually Druddigon struck her with Flash Cannon, sending her flying.
"Follow it up with Giga Impact"
"Dodge it!"
But Whirlipede couldn't get up in time, and was smashed under the Giga Impact, utterly destroying her.
"I said you would need all of your pokemon to do this" Elder said.
'So that's what mom means' Axew said, watching in awe.
"Whirlipede return" Ash thought for a little while. "Hmm, I got it, Braviary come on out!"
'Ruffie!'
"Alright then, Druddigon use Outrage"
"Dodge it for as long as you can, don't try to retaliate!"
Druddigon chased Braviary around, but she was quick and eventually Druddigon got really tired.
"Hmm, very clever, most trainers try to attack during the Outrage, but you instead let it wore off, most impressive" Drayden complimented.
"Thanks" Ash said. "Anyway Braviary use Shadow Claw"
"Dodge it"
But Druddigon was too tired to hear, he got clawed.
"Druddigon use Flamethrower"
"Dodge and use Air Slash"
Druddigon shot out Flamethrower, but in the opposite direction, getting hit by Air Slash.
"Use Air Slash once more!"
"Counter with Giga Impact"
Braviary went in for the Air Slash, but was hit with Giga Impact instead.
"Follow it up with Flash Cannon"
"Use Superpower to throw it away!"
Druddigon charged up a Flash Cannon, but was tossed into the ground by Superpower, and the Flash Cannon hit the floor.
"Now strike down with Slash!"
Braviary Slashed, Druddigon at it's back, knocking it out.
"Very good" Drayden complimented drdfdonce again.
'Yeah! Go Ruffie!' Axew cheered from the sidelines.
"Hydreigon, come on out!"
"Alright Braviary use Superpower"
"Dodge and use Dark Pulse"
Braviary charged towards Hydreigon, but it dodged and fired a Dark Pulse, hitting the bird.
"Braviary come back with an Air Slash"
"Dodge it"
Braviary Air Slashed Hydreigon.
"Retaliate with Dragon Rush"
"Dodge it!"
Hydreigon slammed into Braviary, menacingly, taking the bird to critical health.
'Ruffie! No!'
"Braviary use Superpower"
"Counter with Fire Blast"
Braviary charged Hydreigon once again, but was quickly stopped by a quick Fire Blast.
"Braviary no!"
"That's two pokemon down already kid" Elder said. "And Drayden's still got two left"
"Hmm, Krokorok I choose you!"
"Krokorok, not a bad choice" Drayden said. "Hydreigon use Acrobatics"
"Dodge with Dig"
Hydreigon swooped down to attack Krokorok, but he dug underground.
"Hydreigon, use Fire Blast on the hole"
"Uh oh, Krokorok get out of there"
Hydreigon filled the hole with flames, and Krokorok burst out of the ground, his tail on fire.
"Hydreigon use Dragon Rush"
"Retaliate with Brick Break!"
Hydreigon rushed towards Krokorok, but he jabbed the dragon with a powerful Brick Break, sending it back a bit.
"Hydreigon use Acrobatics again"
"Dodge it!"
Hydreigon struck Krokorok with Acrobatics, knocking him to the ground.
"Now use Dragon Rush"
"Block with Brick Break"
Krokorok tried to hold the dragon back, but to Hydreigon broke through, and slammed into Krokorok.
The croc was knocked out.
"Oh Krokorok return" Ash said, head hung in shame.
"You only have three pokemon to take on Drayden's two strongest now" Said the Elder.
"Dewott I choose you!"
"Alright let's do this, Hydreigon use Fire Blast"
"Dodge and counter with Ice Beam"
Hydreigon shot a Fire Blast at Dewott, but he leaped over it and shot an Ice Beam hitting the dragon type for super effective damage.
"Ice Beam, good choice, Hydreigon use Dark Pulse"
"Dodge and use X-Scissor"
Dewott darted to the left avoiding the Dark Pulse, and striking the dragon with X-Scissor.
"Now Ice Beam!"
"Fire Blast through it"
Dewott fired another Ice Beam, but Hydreigon powered through with Fire Blast, hitting the water type, sending him back a bit.
"Hydreigon follow it up with Dragon Rush"
"Dodge and fire one last Ice Beam"
Hydreigon charged Dewott, and hit him, but the water type pulled through with Ice Beam, knocking Hydreigon out.
"Most impressive" Drayden said. "You defeated two of my pokemon using only four of yours"
"That's not really considered great odds" Cilan said from the sidelines.
"Against Drayden that's pretty good, although his last pokemon is the best around" Iris said.
'The last one being, my mother' Axew said, looking towards the battle field in excitement.
"Are you ready?" Drayden asked again.
"Uh I guess"
"Then let's finish this, Haxorus come on out!" Drayden sent out Haxorus, her pure black form shimmering in the darkened room, roaring greatly, the room suddenly felt a lot more tense.
"Dewott start with Ice Beam"
"Dodge and use Dragon Dance"
Haxorus swiftly dodged Dewott's Ice Beam, and stomped the ground wildly, and roared, which apparently made her stronger.
"Haxorus use Dragon Claw"
"Dodge and use Ice Beam again!"
Haxorus clawed Dewott however, knocking him out.
'Whoa, mom just took Uncle Dewott out like that' Axew said, partially saddened by Dewott's quick defeat, but mostly in awe of his mother's true strength.
"Darn, alright Servine, I choose you!"
"Haxorus use Dragon Dance again"
"Don't let it get it off, use Vine Whip to trip it"
Servine tied her vines to Haxorus' foot and yanked, tripping her.
"Now use Leaf Storm!"
"Break through with Dragon Claw"
Servine fired a Leaf Storm, but it was swept away via Dragon Claw.
"Haxorus use Rock Slide"
"Dodge the incoming rocks, and retaliate with Vine Whip"
Haxorus summoned a storm of rocks, which rained down on Servine, who dodged a few, before slapping one one rocks back at Haxorus, who got hit by the incoming boulder.
"Get in with Aqua Tail"
"Counter with Hyper Beam"
Servine took the opportunity, but Haxorus recovered quickly, and blasted her with Hyper Beam.
"Now use Dragon Claw"
"Dodge and use Pursuit"
Haxorus slammed down on Servine, but missed, and the snake darted into the dragon.
"Pursuit again!"
"Use Dragon Claw once more"
"Dodge it!"
Haxorus slammed down on Servine, catching her off guard, she got up slowly.
"Rock Slide, one last time"
"Dodge it!"
Servine too tired to continue, fell to the hailstorm of rocks.
'That move, what was that? I wanna learn it!' Axew said, eyes shimmering in awe.
"Ash only has one pokemon left" Cilan said. "And that's Pikachu"
"Haxorus is still standing strong" Iris said. "I don't think Ash stands a chance"
"Pikachu, you got this?" Ash asked.
'I'll try my best!' Pikachu said, invigorated.
"Alright, Pikachu I choose you!"
"This will be the final match up" Elder said. "Let's see how this will end"
"Haxorus use Rock Slide"
"Dodge it"
Haxorus sent down a bunch of rocks, which Pikachu dodged, but he missed one part.
Haxorus roared, finishing a Dragon Dance.
"No! Not another Dragon Dance" Ash said, exasperated.
"You should have been paying more attention kid" Elder said.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail"
"Dragon Claw right now"
Pikachu swung down on Haxorus, but she blocked it with Dragon Claw, throwing the mouse into the ground.
"Hyper Beam now"
"Dodge it!"
Haxorus fired a Hyper Beam at Pikachu, but he rolled out of the way quickly.
"Now use Thunderbolt"
"Dragon Dance once more"
"Drayden's not calling for a dodge" Cilan said. "Haxorus wouldn't be able to get Dragon Dance off then"
"I wouldn't be so sure" Iris said.
Pikachu fired a Thunderbolt, but Haxorus just tanked it, and got off a third Dragon Dance.
"Oh you're kidding me" Ash said. "Use Volt Tackle!"
"Hold it off with Rock Slide"
Pikachu dodged the incoming rocks and slammed into Haxorus, knocking her back a bit.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail again!"
"Dodge it"
Haxorus dodged the first Iron Tail, but Pikachu swung twice more, and struck her both times.
'I haven't had an opponent this strong in ages' Haxorus said.
'I guess I'll take you down then' Pikachu said.
'It usually takes more than one pokemon to take me out though' Haxorus replied.
"Haxorus use Dragon Claw"
"Dodge and come back with Volt Tackle"
Pikachu dodged the incoming swipe, and rammed into Haxorus again.
"Pikachu Volt Tackle once more!"
"Give it the full onslaught"
Pikachu shot forwards, but Haxorus Dragon Clawed him three times, through the mouse away, trapped him under a Rock Slide, and blasted Pikachu with Hyper Beam.
"Pikachu no!" Ash yelled, the dust cleared away, revealing Pikachu to have fainted.
"Ash lost" Cilan said, half shocked, half impressed of Drayden's strength.
"What did I tell ya?" Elder said. "You need the upmost battle prowess, and the strongest will"
"I'm sorry Ash, it looks like you might need to train some more" Drayden said, coming up with Haxorus.
"That's fine, this place I could get used to" Ash said. "It's getting kinda late though, so I think I'll wait til a later date"
"Well good for you" Drayden said. "I'll always be willing to accept a challenge from anyone, and plus that battle was pretty fun"
"Yeah, alright, I'll train super hard, I promise" Ash said.
"Good on you, good luck as always" Drayden said.
'Mom that was amazing' Axew said, going up to his mother immediately. 'What was that move you used?'
'Hyper Beam, it's a strong move, but it leaves the user very tired' Haxorus explained.
'Can I learn it?' Axew asked.
'Yeah, with enough training you could, but it takes a lot more training to master it' Haxorus said.
'Whoa, that's deep' Axew said. 'Can we train right now?'
'Sure, just let me get some rest first, I'll train with you after dinner'
'Okay!'
Iris looked at the two pure dragon type pokemon, and sighed. Usually he'd be around me, but he's hanging around his mother instead, I can't blame him though Haxorus is an amazing and powerful pokemon, I can understand why, I just can't get rid of this feeling, Axew you need to be with your mother, when we leave, I'm going to release you, that's that.
Just after dinner…
Drayden had let Iris borrow Haxorus, so she could train with Axew, Ash got some more training in, and Cilan went to bed early, Iris was watching the two bond over learning Hyper Beam.
'Focus the energy inside of your mouth and then release' Haxorus guided.
Axew formed some energy, just it fizzled out before he could fire. 'Oh I can't do it'
'Don't say that, you have to make sure you're at peace, in focus, watch me' Haxorus charged up a Hyper Beam, and destroyed a rock.
'But what about in battle, how do you do use Hyper Beam there? It's too chaotic' Axew asked.
'Axew a battle isn't as chaotic as you may think, even when the situation looks bad, you gotta take control of it, you yourself have to make it the way you wish'
'But I can't do that, I'm just a little Axew'
'No, maybe not, but if you think you can, then you could at least use Hyper Beam, and I'll tell you once you can do that, you'll take care of bad situations easily'
'Oh, can we have another battle, but you go really strong on me' Axew asked.
'Are you sure, I mean you saw how I was during the gym battle' Haxorus said, a little surprised at this.
'Please'
'Okay, fine, but don't say I didn't warn you'
Iris watched the two battle, although she could tell Haxorus was holding back, but Axew was only doing a bit of damage, eventually Axew was defeated, even with his mother holding back.
'Sorry I didn't mean to go so hard' Haxorus apologized.
'No, that was great, can we do it again?' Axew asked, profusely.
'Hmm alright' Haxorus said.
The two duked it out once more, with Axew getting a little stronger each time, Haxorus was still holding back of course, at many points during the battles Axew attempted to use Hyper Beam, but to no avail, and every time each and every single battle, ended up in a loss for Axew, Iris couldn't help but think that it was partially her fault, and worse for her ego, she could see Axew's improvements, and they were happening so quick too.
Eventually though it was time to go to sleep, and once again Axew slept with his mother instead of Iris, she truly did feel as if Axew was truly better off with his mother, and maybe even wanted to stay with her, alas, it seemed Axew's release was an inevitability.