Ashes in May Ch. 8 Finals: Ash Ketchum Vs. May Maple
Hello, here is the next chapter, finally haha. I wanted to tell y'all that the Pokemon map will be base of the map the PokeTuber Bird Keeper Toby made since it's well thought out and it's easier to look up to reference things. I'm going to be also using some material from the Pokemon fan game Insurgence. I just love the concept of Delta Pokemon that have been genetically mutated to be different from their original typing. I know regional variants are a thing that they will show up in this story. It's just that Delta Pokemon different types because they are artificially mutated genetically in a lab while variants are natural changes base on environments and changing to a new niche.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Delta Pokemon being used for the story nor the details that come with them
[Final Round: Ash Ketchum Vs. May Maple]
(Cue Pokemon center healing sound)
A woman with pastel pink hair handed trainers Pokemon with a smile, "Here, you are. Your Pokemon are full heal and in great health." "Thank you, Nurse Joy," a young boy said gratefully before running out and on the way almost bumping into our heroes. "Ash, Ash, that was amazing!" Elio shouted running up to his older brother closely followed by Gary. Ash smiled at his brother ruffling up the boy's black hair, "Thanks bud." May then asked Elio who he was going to cheer for Ash or her. The smile on the poor little boy shifted to one of the cutest of frowns displaying his confliction. May and Ash felt their heart being speared with hearts in their eyes due to the purity of his expression. "I…I…do-don't know…" the boy replied thinking really hard about the topic. He wanted to cheer for his big brother, but he wanted May to win too. Elio was a smart boy who knew of course that only one could win but he thought both of them were awesome. Gary snorted before interrupting, "Don't worry about it, kid. They're both really strong trainers we'll just have to see how things play out." Elio quickly shifted back to his overly joyous attitude before telling Ash to make sure to be careful because May was really strong. At this, all three teens laughed that under normal circumstance people would say the reverse.
"Pika?" the yellow mouse asked getting Ash's attention.
"What's up bud?"
Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and dead up the theatre's stairs.
?
Ash, Gary, May, and Elio stood still looking in the direction Pikachu had taken off running. "Umm, that was weird," May said bluntly earning a chuckle from Gary. Ash nodded in agreement before plainly telling them he'd be right back and so Ash strolled up the stairs in search of his partner. As the young man ascended to the second floor Pikachu had already run down the hard reach the entrance to one of the balcony seats. On all four Pikachu cautiously poked his head in through the crack in the door looking around. The balcony was empty save for a single man who was bent over the guard rail with a phone to his ear. The man was a tall man with pastel green hair and an incredibly arrogant tone of voice. Pikachu frowned as he looked up at the man; he knew this man, he felt it. Due to the man facing away from him Pikachu wasn't able to see him directly, but the voice was eerily similar to a certain someone he knew. "Yeah, yeah. Look I know what was agreed on…listen I'm in Alola at your request. It's not my fault he happened to be home at the same time," the young man barked into the phone irritation clear in his voice. The electric type was getting a bad vibe from this guy and tried to listen in on his call by walking closed and hiding under a chair. The man grunted in disdain, "What of it? May's here so what? I'm here to do my job…I don't understand how she has anything to do with…whatever. Suit yourself…"
Just as he hung up there was a voice followed by a knock on the door, "Pikachu? (Knock, Knock) Excuse the Intrusion but have you seen a Pikachu pass by?" In came Ash who was greeted but a bored face belonging to none other than Drew. Just like everyone else Drew had grown and now hard an impressive build all his own. He was not as tall as Gary or Ash though was a tad bit taller than May. To say Ash was surprised was an understatement. He had not seen the coordinator in person for over five years and the last he had heard of him was of his defeat at the hands of May during the Sinnoh Grand Festival. The man huffed in annoyance before feigning a smile, "Hi, Ketchum. Sorry, but no I haven't seen your Pikachu." Ash ahh-ed before reaching up to scratch his cheek cheekily, "Oh, haha sometimes he just takes off. Anyway, Drew how have you been?" Raising an eyebrow, he simply replied with an okay. He would be lying if this wasn't awkward for Ash as the two had never really seen eye to eye. To be honest the atmosphere around Drew was rather cold and well empty, which made Ash feel a bit bad for him. There was a moment of silence that they each sized each other up. As stated before they were close to the same height and both had similar builds. Both men were had their bodies well worked out, but Ash's was a bit more defined than Drew's. Think about it, it made sense that Ash had a more defined build as he had trained literally alongside his Pokemon for the last few years but with all his journeying had helped a lot. Both men had really grown into their own holding themselves with confidence. The difference here was the aura they each emitted. Ash, for example, the archetype of a confidant happy-go-lucky person who was immensely intimidating when getting serious. On the other hand, Drew held more of a confident high-standards man who, when serious, was as cunning as a thieving Thievul. While people gravitated toward one of them, they kept their distance from the other.
"…So, are you one of the coordinators here to advertise the Pokemon contests for Hala and Lillian?" Ash asked trying to defuse the ticking time bomb in the room. Drew rolled his eyes flicking bangs of his hair, "Yes, Kahuna Hala and announcer Lillian were correct; if I were you, I would talk about them with the titles to show respect. Talking about authority figures like the Kahuna simply by their name without their status isn't becoming of a champion." Okay…Ash's lip twitch from trying to maintain his smile and yes, for the first time in a while felt the tic of irritation over his left temple. Pikachu who was still hidden under the seat scrunched his face in annoyance. Ash swallowed his pride kindly wishing him luck in the Pokemon contest making sure to slide in the fact that May was taking part in the Pokemon contest. "Tch, she got lucky…I'm going to go practice," with that Drew left without so much as a goodbye.
Once he was gone Ash sighed before calling out to his partner, "You can come out now." The yellow rodent walked out from under a chair and looked up at his trainer with a guilty smile. Ash looked down at his friend for it bit. "Pika chuu…"
Ash took a seat in one of the chairs letting his pal jump up onto his lap.
"Pika Pika chu pika! Pipika Chuupika Pikachi!" Pikachu apologized trying to explain with a hint of disdain, "Chuu, Pikapi chee pika achu pi."
"I gotcha, it was a feeling, right? Something felt off, huh? I'm glad you didn't Thunderbolt him," Ash said confirming what Pikachu said and getting a nodded. Ash was perplexed as to why Pikachu wanted to electrocute Drew, but he'd ask later.
"Chu?"
"Of course, it was awkward, but I don't know, he seems mad more than anything else."
So, Pikachu then told Ash was he had heard what how suspicious it sounded, and Ash had to agree it did sound suspicious. "I guess, but we shouldn't get involved. For all we know it's just some personal issue."
It was then that a ring echoed through the room signaling that Ash was receiving a call. Pulling out the device he smiled when seeing that it was a call all the way from Kalos with the caller ID being of the famed Lumiose city gym leader. Without hesitation he answered the call, "Hello, Alola's resident Pokemon Master speaking, how may you be honored with my voice." "Pttsss, oh, great Pokemon Master will you dame to speak to a lowly gym leader," Clemont replied with just as much sarcasm. The went silent before bursting into laughter. "Hi, Ash how are you doing?" came the voice now calming. Ash petted Pikachu's head, "I'm doing great and so is Pikachu by the way." "I'm glad. I wanted to thank you and apologize. Firstly, thank you for coming to help out here in Lumiose, since Diantha was on another mission. You caught those of the crime syndicate before their plans to abuse those women and Pokemon were accomplished. Second, I'm sorry for calling so late. I know it's been a few days since you left for home; I was caught up doing a lot more paperwork than I thought possible." "No worried Clemont. We were happy to help, and it was thanks to your locator invention that I was able to find them to begin with. Lumiose is so big it would have taken us too long to find them if not for your help. Anyways, about the late call, it's ok. Really, I know that gym leaders are usually the ones left to handle all that stuff."
"Mmhmm, still thanks. I also wanted to tell you about some of the research I've been doing about the prophecy. Lady Ilene and Riley sent me pictures of their old texts and the mural. I got to say Ash these things are not something easy to decipher." At this Ash's demeanor became one of stern focus. "Were you able to find anything out that could help us?" "Unfortunately, I didn't find anything from the words in the prophecy itself apart from what we already know. Heart, soul, and aura are the three major factors that are littered throughout it and having a powerful connection to legendary Pokemon. Not to mention the text is so old and faded that even my Text Reader 30.2 can't detect most of the worn-out ink marks."
Ash bit his lip trying to think. "Clemont, thanks for your hard work, I appreciate it. Now, I think it's best you head to bed because I'm pretty sure it's just about midnight in Lumiose." "Haha, right you are Ash. Okay then, have a great day Ash talk to you soon…" "Bye…" The call was cut and left Ash feeling a bit less than happy. He looked very pensive before shrugging his shoulder because for the moment there wasn't much he could do. So, he got up and returned to his friends carrying Pikachu in his arms.
[Final Round: Ash Ketchum Vs. May Maple]
The crowds were gathered once more around the battlefield with anticipation. Elio sitting atop his father's shoulders this time while Gary looked on eating ice cream. Hala took a deep breath feeling content with the crowed walking up on stage speaking into the microphone, "Alola, everyone!" "Alola!" "I hope you enjoyed our intermission and are ready to witness the final battle of our tournament. An unofficial battle between the beauty widely known as the Princess of Hoenn and handsome lad known as the Champion of Alola. May Maple and Ash Ketchum please take your spot and release you Pokemon," Hala announced watching how people cheer when they say the two trainers walk up to the field.
"Well, well, my Lady, it is a pleasure to have such a radiant adversary, and of royalty no less," Ash remarked as he took a now looking at her with a handsome grin. May giggled catching on and followed his lead by performing a curtsy. "Dear, Sir, I'd say the pleasure surely is mine. I hope you'll understand that I plan on succeeding this endeavor regardless of your dashing looks, good sir," May clarified with a smug smiled and sending a wink his way. Ash blushed, still felt his smile widen beaming at her with glee. Chuckles and giggles were heard from the crowd because of the two friends. Kukui looked at the two with a knowing look; a look that Gary saw, and he had to admit he felt a bit left out. The referee took over and once more ask the two to release their Pokemon for battle. "Ninetales, time to shine!" exclaimed throwing the Pokeball and releasing her golden fox Pokémon. It landed eloquently and its landing barely made a sound. It lifted its tail into the air proudly exclaiming a battle cry, "Naah!" At the same time, a wave of heat spread over the area bringing up worm mist from the ground. As quickly as the humidity rose it was gone leaving a blistering atmosphere and from Ninetales' body, an energy rose up and high in the sky formed a sort of lense thereby amplifying the sunlight beaming down. Ash looked up using his hand to shade his eyes Ash would say that it was like a bright spotlight was place over the battlefield. May had set up a powerful drought over the terrain and Ash knew she had something up her sleeve. "Wow, your Ninetales looks very dazzling. The way the sunlight shines of its fur coat means that it's in peak condition and that it is in its prime," Ash mentioned looking at the fire type with wonder, "The intensity of the drought showed that Ninetales is really strong. Oh, I can't wait to battle you Ninetales!" May shone with pride while her fox gleamed with determination. Ninetales was grateful for the compliment but had heard stories of Ash and his strong Pokemon so she needs to stay focus. The Alolan citizen was bursting at the seams with excitement making his Pokeball expand, "I guess it's my turn. Krookodile, I choose you!" "Krook a dile!" roared the desert crocodile. The reptile looked around noticing the way the heat seeped into its body, loving it. This temperature was its element, maybe not in typing but defiantly as a desert ground type. Finally, composing it sent the fox a competitive expression both in an intense sizing each other up moment.
"This will be a three on three battle. No substitutions allow. The winner will be decided when all of an opponent's Pokemon are unable to battle. All other standard battle regulations stand. Battle…begin!" ordered the ref.
"Let's start things up! Krookodile use Stone Edge!" Ash called out. "Krooka! dile!" roared the croc sending the sharp rocks shooting toward the fox. The young woman quickly responded, "Dodge then use Nasty Plot!" Ninetales did as she was told and did a summersault and then proceeded to cover its body in dark mist as a few question marks appeared before the sound of snapping fingers echoed. Instantly, a red-orange aura rose around Ninetales sharply increasing its special attack. Ash called for another shot at Stone Edge which the Pokemon quickly followed. "Send them back with Iron Tail!" the princess commanded. "Naaah," cried the fire type raising its tails as they each turned a black iron. Then, it used all its tails to deflect the jagged stone thrown its way. "Brace yourself!" Ash said from his spot. The croc lifted its arms in defense just as the stone pelted its body. Krookodile winced with each hit but still stood strong which made Ash happy. The attack may have been redirected by Ninetales but still had Krookodile's power in it so Ash had been worried about how much damage it would have caused. May didn't give them time to recover as she ordered her Pokemon to use Will-O-Wisp. The fox got into an attacking position with its font legs slightly lowered and its tails up and spread out each glowing with dark energy. Rapidly the energy gathered at the tip of each tail forming a purple wisp while one formed atop Ninetales' head. The small flames then shot forward towards the sand dweller. 'The best way to avoid it would be to go underground,' Ash thought to himself before calmly ordering, "Dig down to avoid the Will-O-Wisps." "Dile, kroca, Kroca, Kroca, Kroca" it exclaimed as it tunneled deep into the ground. "It not going to be that easy Ash," May said with a smirk, "Extrasensory, send those wisps down the tunnel!" The Ninetales nodded concentrating its power then sending the small flames in after the ground. The tunnel may have been dark but using its sensory powers it followed the singular tunnel Krookodile was digging. Within seconds the crocodile burst through the ground into the air then having a rather rough landing. Krookodile looked fine until a small blast of fire covered Krookodile's body the disappeared. "No way," said Ash surprised to see what just happened. He was sure Krookodile had gotten away from it. "Oh yes Krookodile's burned which means it will gradually decrease it HP," said May cheering, "Haha, chip damage! Now that how's a Pokémon contest Princess does her battling!" "Ninetales use dig!" ordered May as the loyal Pokémon obeyed. "You use dig too!" instructed Ash wanting to see what May could come up with. Kro-krooka," said Krookodile quickly as it dug into the sandy ground. But Ninetales was doing something different with the attack it kept coming up to the surface and them digging a knew hole which she all connected making a maze. This very much irritated and confused the sand croc who crawled through the various tunnels unaware that Ninetales had already resurfaced. The Ninetales had dug many tunnels rather quickly and had dug five holes in the form of a square and one in the center where it was resurfaced. May, however, had been practicing this as a new appeal for her next Grand Festival she enters, see her plan was to make four of the hole angled so that they were all connected to the center hole via tunnels. The maze aspect to it was something she had come up with for a regular trainer battle. May trembled with glee as she called out her next move. "Now Ninetales use flamethrower into the hole!" she commanded extending out her hand. The mystical Pokemon shined as it roared into the hole blasting an extremely powerful flamethrower powered but the Drought ability.
"Krookodile, get out of there now!" Ash yelled. Krookodile raced through the ground to get out but it was all for not as the blaze quickly blasted through. The fire filled the tunnels before erupting from the ground forming pillars of flames. The flames came out of the angled holes making each pillar pointed diagonally towards the center where the joined in a gorgeous displace of a flaming canopy.
As the battle went on Ash was starting to get worried that Krookodile hadn't come to the surface yet when he saw claws come out of the hole as Krookodile slowly emerged from the hole relief came to him. Krookodile was hurt pretty bad with it hits form Ninetales and due to the burns it got earlier in the battle; it was holding its left arm and was limping. Ash decided that Krookodile need a break, "Krookodile return!" Ash said pulling out Krookodile's Pokeball. But when the red beam came out Krookodile dodged the beam. "What's up Krookodile do you want to finish this battle?" asked Ash confused. "Krooka!" replied the ground and dark type. "Are you sure you can continue?" asked Ash concerned if Krookodile was overworking itself. The croc nodding reassuring his trainer. "Okay then use Stone Edge!" Ash called out. "Use Solar beam!" commanded May hoping to land the attack before Krookodile could throw its. Ninetales began to charge up the solar beam. "Grrr, will he be able to make it. Bright sun makes Solar Beams charge faster," Ash grimaced speaking under his breath. "Nah!" roared Ninetales snapping Ash out of his planning. The golden fox let loose the beam of light shot towards the Krookodile causing an explosion when it hit the opponent. "Krookodile!" yelled Ash. When the smoke cleared Krookodile was knocked unconscious however it was clear that the Stone Edge had hit its mark as well causing Ninetales considerable damage. "Krookodile is unable to battle, the battle goes to May Maple!" announce the Ref. "Yeah May!" cheered many of May's fans. "You did great now take a good rest, pal," said Ash returning his Pokémon, "You know May you keep getting better and better. You're an awesome and beautiful battler!" Ash froze on the spot hearing what he had said and kept the smile trying to pretend he was cool. "First off, I'm only this good because you mentored me when I first became a trainer. Second, you think I'm beautiful?" said May blushing. Ash became flustered with her remark confirming she had noticed, "Well of course I think you beautiful and I'm pretty sure we all do…" The champion reaches up to shyly rub his finger over his lip. "Aaawwwwww!" chanted the crowd as a few girls glared at May and a few boys doing the same towards Ash. Gary rolled his eyes that the crowd's display of jealousy turning to looked at the two trainers, "If anyone is supposed to feel like that it's me…" He frowned slightly feeling an uncomfortable feeling in his chest he wished would…go away.
"So, why don't we continue with the battle," suggested Ash all pumped again. "Right, let's Go Roserade!" call out May as the rose Pokémon. "Alright, let's do this go Octillery. I choose you!" said Ash releasing the red octopus. The red Pokemon looked out of place as a fish Pokemon out of water for obvious reasons which would have opposing trainers feel sorry for it but May knew better. She needs to be careful because Octillery had the type advantage added to the fact that Ninetales had taken much damage from the Stone Edge earlier. Any Pokemon Ash trained was always adapted to its weaknesses and how to overcome them. 'Mmm, I should start setting up some chip damage,' she thought before narrowing her eyes, "Use Will-O-Wisp!" "Rain Dance." "Octo!" the deep voice of the water type was heard as its tentacles wiggled up to the sky in a jiggly dance. (Imagine the movements Squidward danced during the Krusty Crabs talent show, lol) Suddenly, the bright sunlight dissipated as dark grey clouds replaced it in the sly. Drip, drip drop, water rained down from atop. Octillery cried for joy as water began to fall over its skin and cooling down the atmosphere. Ninetales and May looked up with jaws dropped as the Rain Dance not only negated the effects of Drought but extinguished the ghostly flames Ninetales had formed.
"Heehee, now let's use surf, cover the field!" Ash called out knowingly. This attack had a wide range and would fulfill Ash's plan perfectly and literally. Octillery followed orders with blue glowing eyes using its front two tentacles to summon a huge wave of water beneath it before unleashing it through the battlegrounds. This time however Ninetales was unable to avoid the large amount of water as it slammed hard against it washing it clear of its paws. It was then that May realized what the true purpose of the move was clearing watching it drain down into the hole Ninetales and Krookodile had dug earlier. "Now dive in, Octillery, your field disadvantage is gone," Ash said proudly as the crowd cheered with amazement. They roared with all kinds of impressions, "Yeah, that our Champion!" "I see what here did there!" He's so smart!" And so, the tides had turned, haha literally. Happily, the multilimbed Pokemon jumped into the water-filled tunnels below. May called out to her Pokemon telling it to be careful that Octillery could attack from any of those holes. Ninetales narrowed its eye focusing and preparing its body to move instantly. Ash grinned deviously knowing his plan was working and relayed the next part, "Cage! Rock Blast!" May glared trying to decipher what it could mean, "When it comes up dodge and stay out of its line of sight as best as you can." The red octopus swam quickly through the water and resurface with its mouth glowed white, "Tilleryyyyy!" Large rock magically shot from the Pokémon's mouth like a barrage of missiles. Missiles to which Ninetales dodge and evaded with varying degrees of difficulty. "Til, till, tiil, tiill!" After, shooting for a bit it swam down only to come up again from a different spot and repeating over and over. Eventually, May gasped realizing what Ash meant cursing under her breath as it was too late. Ash chuckled proudly, "I see you figured it out May. Yep, the main reason for the Rock Blast was to build a wall to trap Ninetales in close quarters. I know that even though we now have access to fast means to move about, Nine tale could have still stepped out of range, so we trapped it instead to keep it close! If Ninetales had gotten hit by the Rock Blast, it would have been a bonus."
Kukui nodded very much impressed with his son's thought process. He wondered if Ash had thought of that on the fly or had he planned for something like this, nevertheless, Ash never ceased to impress him. "Professor Kukui could we be as strong as the Champion one day too?" came a chorus voice from his students. A young girl walked up with stars in her eyes, "Yeah, I want to have fun battles like that!" Professor Kukui chuckled nodding, "If you work hard and form powerful bonds with your Pokemon you could become very strong, yeah." "He's right," the younger professor added in having the kids direct their attention to Gary, "Both the Champion and May have an incredibly strong bond with their Pokemon that help power them through battles. Just remember that it also takes smarts to win a battle; don't forget to pay attention to what Professor Kukui teaches you." Boom! "Octoorr," cried the water type bring all their attention to the battle. Ninetales had been able to land an Energy Ball on the octopus much to May's glee and Ash's dismay. Unfortunately, the impact force had cause Octillery to be thrown as ways way from the nearest tunnel entrance leaving it in a vulnerable state. "Ninetales, use this to charge up for a Solar beam!" May called out. "Octillery lets end this! Use surf, followed by Whirlpool!" Once more with eyes a glow it lifted its tentacles summoning a large wave onto the field knocking Ninetales out of focus. "Naaaaaah!" whelped the fox in distress just as Octillery waved its arms in a circle causing the water to swirl up into a huge whirlpool. May yelled for her Pokemon, "Ninetales no!"
Soon enough the water drained once more leaving a washed-up Ninetales. "Ninetales is unable to battle, the battle goes to the Champion!" The crowd roared! Recalling her partner, she thanked it and put it back pulling out her next Pokemon. She took a deep breath before letting out her new partner. "Roserade!" Before everyone was beautiful bouquet Pokemon which had a big root around its right wrist like a bracelet. "With both Pokemon on the field let the battle begin!" the referee announces.
"Octillery use supersonic!" "Dodge and use ingrain!" ordered May. Using that moved would literally make Roserade immovable but her plan was to drain as much of the water from the tunnels as possible. The rain could potentially refill it but not likely. Roserade grinned and twirled with grace then stopped facing Octillery as it rooted itself to the ground. Roots began to spread over as well as under the ground quickly absorbing the water and turning it into energy. Octillery gasped as it quickly stuck itself to the edge of the hole feeling the water level drop. If it hadn't held on to the walls of the hole it wouldn't have been able to get back up so easily. Worst of all it was now vulnerable. "Use Least Storm!" yelled May and within seconds Roserade summoned leaves from the nearby forest swirling them in the air before bringing them down onto Octillery. Boom!
"Octillery is unable to battle! Please, bring out your next Pokemon"
Welp, here it is. I know it's not a great ending but it was getting way too long. I also did not what people to read twelve pages. I know my chapters are long but if I put the entire thing I myself would just about die, plus it would just be ridiculous at that point. Anyway, all things considered, I hope you're enjoying the battles so far. I know I'm not the best when it comes to combat scenes but I gave it my best. I also wanted to give May actual skill because I know she has it even if she's not a trainer who trains pokemon's power. With May being a coordinator, I wanted her moves and pokemon to be powerful but also entertaining as that he career choice. Thank you for reading! Enjoy you time reading this fanfic!
AS THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!