Kubfu's Trial
"Houndoooom!" The canine Pokemon howled out as his eyes locked onto Nickit's. Despite Houndoom's intimidating appearance and the massive size difference, Nickit boldly gazed back at Houndoom with a look full of determination as she refused to back down.
"Nickit."
"Houn!" Houndoom snarled out and bared his fangs as he lunged forward.
"Dig!" Marnie swiftly shouted out.
"Nick!" Nickit hastily burrowed into the dirt resulting in Houndoom getting a mouthful of mud as he chomped at a pile of dirt!
"H-Houn..." Houndoom began spitting out the mud creating an opening for Marnie and Nickit as the wild canine was no longer focused on the battlefield.
"Alright we've got him distracted, now come up from beneath and deliver a Sucker Punch!"
"Nick!" The ground burst beneath Houndoom as Nickit came flying up to deliver a swift and powerful punch to Houndoom's stomach!
Houndoom let out a gasp and dropped to his knees as the breath was knocked out of him. It wasn't over yet but Marnie wasn't going to risk letting this one get away from her, she reached for an empty Dusk Ball and threw it across the clearing! The ball soared through the air and opened up as it approached Houndoom before absorbing him as the canine's body was engulfed by the bright red light. The Dusk Ball shook back and forth several times before eventually chiming out to confirm the capture a success!
"Alright we just caught ourselves a Houndoom!" Marnie shouted out. "Now we've just got to find ourselves a Mega Ring and-Nickit what's wrong?"
"N-Nick!" Nickit howled out as her body became engulfed in a bright blue glow. She began growing taller while her limbs took on a more slender build, her tail stretched out and grew even fluffier than it had been previously while the mask around her eyes extended and formed together to form a stereotypical cartoon bandit mask complete with a fake mustache at the tip of her snout.
"Thievul!"
Marnie uttered out a light squeal, her eyes shined brightly as she raced forward to pull her newly evolved Pokemon in for a hug.
"Ya did it! All that hard work finally paid off!"
"Congrats Marnie!"
"Pika pi!"
Marnie turned towards the two and offered them an appreciative smile. Though the look didn't last long as she remembered they'd soon be crossing paths with Bea once more. 'Hopefully for the last time.' She thought to herself.
"Scyther!" The praying mantis clashed his scythes together in a threatening manner as he stared Zach down. The group continued making their way through Route 215 after Houndoom's capture when the Bug type's cry managed to catch Zach's attention, he may have given up on the Scyther that Ash had managed to capture as he wasn't experienced enough at the time but that didn't mean he stopped wanting to capture one.
"Corvisquire it's your turn to shine, use Leer!"
"Corvi!" Corvisquire stretched out his wings as he burst from his ball, the raven was quick at fixating his gaze upon Scyther before leering at the praying mantis. Scyther nervously sweated but didn't back down as he continued clashing his scythes against one another.
"Scyther!" Scyther's blades glowed light blue as he began slashing at the air causing several blue energy blades to form and make their way towards Corvisquire!
"Fly up!" Corvisquire flashed Scyther a sly smirk as he swiftly flew upwards. The energy blades missed and flew towards a nearby tree trunk, repeatedly striking it as the branches wildly shook about. Cinderace glanced towards the tree and raised an eyebrow as she noticed a rather small object fall from above, the rabbit tilted her head and went to pick it up while her trainer and the others were focused on the battle at hand.
"Now use Drill Peck!"
"Corvi!" Corvisquire's beak glowed white as his body began rapidly spinning like a drill, Corvisquire let out a fierce cry as he rocketed forward and aimed for Scyther's chest! Scyther held out his scythes in an x-formation as he tried stopping the attack only to find himself getting knocked off his feet and onto his back!
"S-Scyther..." Scyther weakly groaned while tapping the ground with one scythe as if to say he yields.
"Alright now time to hit him with a Fast Ball!" Zach retrieved the ball from his bag and threw it towards the downed Scyther, the ball opened up as it approached Scyther and opened up to absorb him in a beam of bright red light. Zach and Lucario clenched their fists in anticipation as they watched the ball shake before it finally chimed out to confirm the capture!
"Scyther the Mantis Pokemon, Scyther is blindingly fast. Its blazing speed enhances the effectiveness of the twin scythes on its forearms. This Pokemon's scythes are so effective that they can slice through thick logs in one wicked stroke!"
The Fast Ball whisked away in a bright light as Zach excitedly shouted out.
"Alright, we finally caught ourselves a Scyther!"
"Carrr!"
"C-Corvi!" Corvisquire stretched his wings and squawked as his body was engulfed by a bright blue light.
"Ace?" Cinderace finally looked up from the mysterious object and frantically cried out as she pointed towards her teammate.
"What is it Cinder-Oh!" The cry of his Pokemon partner caught his attention, his eyes fixated upon his Flying type as he tripled in height and soon towered above everyone present. His multiple colored feathers molted away and were replaced by a singular shade of black feathers which had a metal look to them.
"Corviknight!" He screeched out.
"Whoa he's so big!" Dawn gasped out.
"I didn't know regional birds could even get that size!" Ash remarked.
"Corviknight the Raven Pokemon, This Pokemon reigns supreme in the skies of the Galar region. The black luster of its steel body could drive terror into the heart of any foe! With their great intellect and flying skills, these Pokemon very successfully act as the Galar region's airborne taxi service."
"Wow, you've got to take me for a ride on him sometime!" Zach blushed lightly at the idea before giving her a quick nod.
"S-Sure!"
Marnie smirked at the two before speaking up. "Well getting around should be quicker now, we can just use Corviknight and Latias instead of getting plane and boat tickets! Keeps us from walking everywhere too." There was enough room for both her and Ash to ride Latias together.
"Fair enough, we can't keep walking around forever." Ash chuckled while seeming unaware of the fact that if Zach and Dawn were riding together then he'd be alone with Marnie.
"I'm sorry Ash but Paul's not here."
"Aw!" Ash hung his head as he and the others stood outside of Reggie's ranch. Ash may have had an appointment with Bea but he'd been eager to learn about Paul's progress and just how strong his rival had become in the years since their previous battle! "D-Do you have any idea where he might be?"
"He's competing in the World Championship that's all I know," Reggie shrugged with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry I wish I had more to give you but Paul doesn't check in that often other than to switch out his team. He doesn't bother stating his location as 'it doesn't matter'."
"You'll find him someday!" Marnie patted Ash's shoulder. "In the meantime why don't we go and find Bea? I'm sure that battle will cheer you up!" Much as she disliked Bea, she hated seeing Ash upset more.
"Pika..." Pikachu patted Ash's other shoulder.
"Oh that's right, I almost forgot!" Ash's attitude quickly adjusted. "Sorry Reggie but we've got to go!"
"Heh, don't mention it. And good luck with your match, I'll be sure to let Paul know that you're looking for him!"
"Wait a minute, Reggie? As in the same guy who taught your Staraptor Brave Bird?" Zach looked back at the ranch as they walked away before looking back towards Ash. "You won't mind if I ask him to teach Corviknight Brave Bird?"
"Of course not, I'll have plenty of other battles!" Ash grinned while not appearing the least bit offended by the suggestion. "Go on ahead!"
"I'll stay with Zach!" Dawn was quick to shout, her cheeks began glowing a bright red color as Marnie flashed her a teasing smirk. "Y'know so he doesn't have to be alone."
'More like you're hoping to spend quality time with him later.' Marnie thought to herself while Zach gave Dawn an appreciative look.
"That's alright with me," Ash grinned before turning to face Marnie. "Alright Marnie it's just you and me now, let's go track down Bea!"
'Just you and me...' Marnie smiled as her thoughts trailed off.
Bea and Maylene stood outside the Veilstone City Gym as they awaited Ash's arrival, the two smiled at one another while their hands brushed up against each other. The two Fighting specialists closed their eyes as they enjoyed the moment, their fingers inched closer together and began wrapping around each other as sighs of content emitted from their bodies.
"Bea, Maylene!"
Their eyes shot open as Ash shouted out and Maylene quickly leaped away from Bea to act as if nothing was going on between them.
"H-Hey Ash long time no see!" Maylene laughed out in a nervous manner.
"Ash! It sure took you long enough!" Bea smirked as Ash rushed towards them. "You ready for our rematch?!"
"You know it, I couldn't wait for it!"
"That's the spirit, well then why waste time? Let's get in there and get this started!"
"Sounds good to me, let's go!"
Maylene was about to open her mouth only to wind up closing it as Ash and Bea raced into the Gym. Maylene performed a light shrug before waving her hand at Marnie. "Hello I don't believe we've been introduced, I'm Maylene the Gym Leader around here."
"And I'm Marnie, pleasure to meet ya!"
"Morpek!" Morpeko waved at Maylene.
"I heard about you, you're Ash's girlfriend right?"
"W-What?! N-No!" Marnie's face turned bright red as she hastily waved her hands in front of her. "A-At least not yet!"
"Well you better get on it!" Maylene snapped as she glanced towards the gym. "I can't tell if Bea's truly over Ash or not..."
"Bzzzt! Greetings Challengers bzzzt!" A Rotom Drone took it's position at the side of the battlefield while Ash and Bea stood on opposite ends. "Today's battle will consist of a four on four matchup, with both sides limited to two swaps each so make them count! Challenger Ash and Challenger Bea are you ready?"
"Ready!" Both of them simultaneously shouted out as Marnie and Maylene walked in and took their position on the sideline.
"Then let the battle begin! Bzzzt!"
"Heracross I choose you!"
"Heracross let's fight!"
"Huh?!" Marnie's eyes widened as both trainers called out the same Pokemon!
"Hera!"
"Cross!" The two appeared similar at first but Bea's Heracross had a heart shaped horn indicating that it was a female one.
"Well at least we can tell them apart." Marnie sweated.
Bea glanced towards Ash's wrist and smirked as she lifted up her own to reveal that she had a Mega Ring of her own. "Let's show off our bond Mega Evolution style!"
"Cross!" Bea's Heracross was engulfed by a bright pink glow as she began the transformation into Mega Heracross! "Heracross!"
"H-Hera..." Heracross nervously sweated at the sight of the Mega before taking a deep breath as he forced a look of confidence.
"We've got this Heracross, use-"
"Close Combat!" Both trainers shouted simultaneously.
"Hera!" The two Heracross flew towards each other and lashed out, unleashing a series of punches and kicks upon each other.
"H-Hera..."
"Cross..." The two grunted out as they were pushed back from each other, Heracross began breathing heavily as he appeared to be facing uneven odds. The two may have been on equal footing if Bea hadn't utilized Mega Evolution or if Ash had Heracross' Mega Stone but that wasn't the case.
"Heracross return for now," Ash returned Heracross to his ball before glancing towards Pikachu. "Pikachu I choose you!"
"Pika!"
"I had a feeling you'd use him again!" Bea smirked while thrusting her arm forward. "High Horsepower!"
"Cross!" Heracross' body became surrounded in an orange aura as she charged across the clearing.
"Surf!"
"Hm?" Bea raised an eyebrow.
"That's new." Maylene commented.
"Pika!" Pikachu raised his arms as the large wave formed beneath him. Heracross' eyes widened in terror as she charged straight at it but just before she reached it the wave suddenly died out causing Pikachu to drop from the sky! "Pikaaaa!"
"It failed?!" Ash exclaimed.
"Cross!" Heracross thrusted her horn up against Pikachu causing the mouse to grunt out before he was hurled towards the ground below!
"Pi!" Pikachu groaned out as he slammed headfirst against the battlefield. A pained groan escaped his throat as he slid across the battlefield.
Ash clenched his fists before reaching into his jacket as he pulled out his Z-Power Ring. "Pikachu!"
"P-Pika?" Pikachu turned to look at Ash and as soon as he saw the z-ring he knew what was coming, he leaped up into the air to catch Ash's hat as it flew threw the air before moving in perfect synch with his trainer as dark storm clouds formed above.
Maylene and Bea watched on with interest while Marnie flash a light smirk.
"10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaaaa..." Pikachu's cheeks sparked as he began draining the storm clouds of their electricity. "Chuuuu!" Several bolts of electricity fired out from his cheeks in a variety of colors, all quickly honing in on their opponent before giving her a powerful shock!
"H-Heracrosss!" The Mega Pokemon painfully cried out as the electricity surged through her, her eyes slowly rose up into her head before she fell backwards. The pink light formed around her once more as she reverted back to her normal form, swirls present within her eyes.
"Bzzzt! Heracross is unable to battle, Pikachu wins the first round!"
"Way to go Pikachu!" Ash praised.
"Pi Pikachu!"
"What the heck was that?!" Maylene asked.
"I-It looked like a z-move but none that I'm familiar with..." Bea commented.
"You've been to Alola?" Ash asked.
"Of course," Bea returned Heracross to her Pokeball and began reaching for another. "It's actually where I picked up this guy, come on out Marshadow!"
"Marshadow?"
"Pika?" Ash and Pikachu gave each other a look as they never heard of that Pokemon despite their long stay in the region.
The ball burst open to reveal the ghostly form of Marshadow.
"Shadow..."
"Marshadow the Gloomdweller Pokemon, by slipping into the shadow of a martial arts master and copying their movements this Pokemon learned the ultimate techniques!"
"So that's a Marshadow... alright Pikachu let's hit him with a Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaaa... chuuuu!"
"Spectral Thief!"
"Marsha!" Marshadow leaped into Pikachu's shadow and disappeared from view before Pikachu could strike!
"Pi? Pi?!" Pikachu frantically looked around in the hopes of locating his opponent before crying out as he was suddenly engulfed by a shadowy aura that drained him of his strength! "P-Pika... chaaaaa!" Pikachu collapsed against the battlefield floor as swirls filled his eyes.
"Bzzzt! Pikachu is unable to continue battling, Marshadow wins!"
"No way, that thing just beat Pikachu?!" Marnie gasped out.
"Heh, looks like all that training paid off nicely!" Bea remarked with a smirk while Ash was temporarily stunned from shock.
"Don't worry Pikachu you tried your best out there, the others will handle it from here." Ash scooped Pikachu up and carried him over to Marnie. "Can you watch over him?"
"Of course I will, I'll do anything for ya!" Marnie offered him a sincere smile. Ash smiled back before making his way back to the battlefield.
"Alright Gardevoir I choose you!"
"Gardevoir!" The shiny bowed as she emerged from her Pokeball.
"Use Moonblast!"
"Gardevoir!" The pink energy sphere formed between Gardevoir's hands as she took aim at her opponent before firing off her attack, the sphere flew across the field and exploded against Marshadow's face as the phantom grunted out.
"Shadow..."
"Spectral Thief!"
"Protect!"
"Voir!" Gardevoir raised her hands and formed a protective barrier around herself, preventing Marshadow from harming her. Marshadow uttered out a hiss of annoyance as he slinked back towards his trainer.
"Laser Focus!"
"Psychic!"
"S-Shadow..." Marshadow retained and concentrated his focus on Gardevoir as he was lifted into the air before being slammed against the battlefield as Gardevoir dropped him!
"Now let's try another Spectral Thief!"
"Protect!"
"Voir!" Gardevoir raised her hands as she brought up another protective barrier, unfortunately upon Marshadow striking it the barrier broke apart allowing for the phantom to sink away into her shadow. "V-Voir!" Gardevoir cried out as the shadowy aura surrounded her, she started feeling light headed as her energy was drained away. She held onto her head as the attack stopped and shook her head as she tried regaining focus. "Gardevoir..."
"Dazzling Gleam!"
"Garde..." Gardevoir paused for a moment as she held onto her head, she quickly shook it and locked her gaze upon Marshadow. Her eyes narrowed to slit as the rainbow colored sphere surrounded her body as she lunged forward and threw herself against Marshadow, the phantom grunted out before collapsing to his side as the flames within his eyes died out. Gardevoir smirked before gasping out as she collapsed to her knees shortly before hitting the ground.
"Bzzzt! Gardevoir and Marshadow are unable to battle! Challengers Ash and Bea please send out your next Pokemon!"
"Gardevoir return, you did great out there and deserve a long rest." Ash returned the shiny Pokemon to her Pokeball before reaching out for Heracross'. "Heracross I choose you!"
"Kommo-o let's do this!"
A loud thud sounded out as the large scaly reptilian Pokemon burst from his Pokeball.
"Kommo!"
"Use Aerial Ace!"
"Racross!" White streaks surrounded Heracross as he whisked his way across the field, he thrusted out his horn and struck it against Kommo-o's chest causing the large dragon to cry out in pain!
"Heh... Flamethrower!"
"Kommoooo!" Kommo-o cried shortly before unleashing a powerful stream of fire upon his opponent! Heracross grunted out as the flames struck his body, his knees started to give but he was determined to keep fighting as he didn't want to let Ash down.
"Heracross you okay?"
"Hera!" Heracross offered his trainer a smirk while giving off a confirming nod.
"Alright then let's use Seismic Toss!"
"Cross!" Heracross flew through the air and latched onto Kommo-o's back, a heavy grunt escaped his lips as he hoisted Kommo-o into the air before flying through the air in a circular motion. Kommo-o's face turned green as he was spun and it didn't end there as once Heracross finished he threw the Dragon towards the ground below! Dust and dirt flew up as Kommo-o crashed against the field, obscuring the view as Heracross began making his descent.
Bea's eyes frantically looked about before spotting Kommo-o's tail swaying back and forth through a nearby dust cloud. She smirked to herself before shouting out. "Flamethrower!"
"Kom!"
"Dodge-" But it was too late, Heracross let out a screech of pain as the flames struck his body, his breath grew heavier by the second before it became too much for him. Heracross collapsed to his side as swirls formed within his eyes.
"Heracross is unable to continue battling, Kommo-o wins! Challenger Ash please send out your final Pokemon."
"Heracross return, you tried your best and that's what counts. Take a good long rest." Ash returned Heracross to his ball with a smile before reaching out for his final choice. "Pri-"
"Fu!"
Kubfu burst from his ball and motioned towards Kommo-o as if to say 'Come at me!'.
"Kubfu?! What are you doing out here, you're not ready for this sort of battle yet!"
"Fu!" Kubfu crossed his arms as he gave Ash a stubborn look. "Fu, Kubfu fu!"
"Bzzzt! And it looks like the challenger's final choice is Kubfu!"
"No wait!"
"Fu." Kubfu smirked to himself as he was eager to show off to his trainer. Ash groaned out and performed a facepalm as he couldn't believe this was actually happening!
"Okay but you've got to play things by my rules, use Ice Punch!" Ash shouted.
"Fu!" Kubfu's fist became coated in ice as he raced across the field before leaping up to perform an uppercut to Kommo-o! Kommo-o groaned out as the attack made it's mark, his eyes went cross shortly as he began falling forward. Kubfu quickly raced away so he wouldn't be squished as Kommo-o landed against the battlefield, his tongue lolled out while swirls began forming within his eyes causing Ash to let out a shout of alarm.
"On second thought maybe you are ready!"
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered on the sideline as the Rotom Drone made the call.
"Bzzzt! Kommo-o is unable to battle, Kubfu wins!"
Bea returned Kommo-o to her ball while Maylene anxiously watched on, Bea however didn't appear the least bit worried as she reached for another Pokeball before throwing it forward. "Urshifu let's fight!"
"That's Urshifu?" Ash questioned as a large black and white bear Pokemon burst out before his eyes. Although Zach and Marnie had seen Urshifu before this was his first time encountering one. Urshifu stood on one leg and performed an usual combat stance as Ash reached for his Rotom Phone.
"Urshifu the Wushu Pokemon, Rapid Strike Style, this form of Urshifu is a strong believer in defeating foes by raining many blows down on them. Its strikes are nonstop, flowing like a river!"
"Fu..." Kubfu gazed up at Urshifu while a bit of sweat poured down his forehead.
"I thought you and Zach said his evolution was Fighting/Dark?" Ash questioned Marnie as he shot her a quick glance.
"Hey we don't know everything about Galar!" Marnie shouted. "Far as we knew Mustard's Urshifu or your Kubfu were the only ones around!"
"There's two different evolutions," Bea casually waved it off with a light smirk.
"How did you evolve yours? We've tried everything and Kubfu won't evolve!" It was Kubfu's idea, he just supported it as it was Kubfu's dream to become a powerful Urshifu just like Mustard's!
"I'll tell ya after we finish our battle, deal?"
"Deal!"
"Fu fu!" Ash and Kubfu excitedly exclaimed.
"Alright Kubfu let's hit him with a Thunder Punch!"
"Fu!" Training with Zach's Lucario had paid off as Kubfu's fist became electrically charged. Ash wasn't expecting this exact situation but having the move to counter Flying types was useful! "Kubfu!" Kubfu struck his fist against Urshifu's chest causing his opponent's body to spark out as electricity surged through his veins! Urshifu clenched his teeth for a moment before flashing Kubfu a smirk while not appearing to have taken much damage at all!
"Fu..." Kubfu lightly swore.
"Surging Strikes!"
"That's new." Ash and Marnie commented as they never heard of the attack.
"Urshi!" Urshifu stretched out his arms and cried out as a large watery veil surrounded him, the large bear then lunged forward and unleashed a rapid series of punches and kicks upon Kubfu, battering the poor cub about!
"Fu Kubfu fu!" Kubfu cried out as his body became bruised.
Ash clenched his fists at the sight before closing his eyes as he couldn't let it continue. "I forfeit!"
"Challenger Ash Ketchum forfeits! Congratulations Bea Saitou, your points are now at 23,917 which puts you in Diamond Class! Ash Ketchum your new point total is 48,046. Bzzzt!" Rotom Drone turned around and flew out the Gym's door as it went to report the results.
"Fu..." Kubfu hanged his head as Urshifu released him from his grasp. The cub stared at his feet as he slowly made his way back towards Ash.
"There there Kubfu, it's not your fault. We'll get her next time, I promise!"
"Pikachu pika pi!" Pikachu cried in agreement as he raced to pat Kubfu's shoulder. The cub flashed his partners a light smile but it didn't appear entirely sincere as some doubt was present within his gaze.
"You are welcome to challenge me to a rematch whenever you're ready," Bea stated as she returned Urshifu to his Pokeball. "As for Kubfu evolving? Well a deal's a deal, Kubfu can only evolve while training on the Isle of Armor."
"Y-You mean we've got to go back?!"
"Pika pi?!"
"Well done Corviknight, I can't believe you mastered Brave Bird in only a few hours!" Dawn exclaimed while giving the large raven's neck a light pat.
"Corviii!" Corviknight cooed out while giving his trainer a look. 'You should keep her!'
"Well Corviknight always was a clever bird, I only really caught him in the first place as he tried to eat Metapod." Zach joked lightly. Dawn giggled in response before she took notice of Cinderace.
"What's Cinderace got?"
"I'm not sure, Cinderace?"
"Ace?" Cinderace looked up as her trainer called out for her.
"You didn't find that at Reggie's did you?" Zach questioned with a slightly anxious tone. Cinderace and Morpeko weren't above stealing food if their trainers weren't watching them.
"Ace!" Cinderace hastily shook her head as she tried explaining how she got it.
Lucario gave Cinderace a look before growling out at his trainer.
"Oh, she found it when we were battling Scyther?" Lucario nodded in response.
"Ace!" Cinderace shoved the metallic item into her trainer's hands before motioning towards her now open mouth. "Ace Cinderace!"
"Heh, yeah I'll give you a treat as soon as I find out what exactly this is. Great work, Cinderace!" Cinderace smiled at her trainer's praise.
"Metal Coat, if one trades an Onix or Scyther that is holding this item then they'll evolve into Steelix and Scizor respectively." The Rotom Phone read out.
"Alright perfect now we just have to trade Scyther... and hope to get him back." Zach sweated.
"I'd trade with you if you want!" Dawn offered with a warm expression.
"Carrrr."
"Oh right, Ash has a Boldore doesn't he? Thanks for the offer Dawn but we'll see if he'll be up for a quick swap!"
Dawn narrowed her eyes lightly as she had hoped to spend more time alone with him before meeting up with the others.
"So what your feelings for Ash are really gone?" Maylene asked as she and Bea watched Ash and Marnie walk off into the distance.
"Nah not completely, I just think that we're better suited off as rivals! Perhaps there's some universe out there where we did get together but not this one, Ash and Marnie are so cute together!" Bea gushed.
"Heh, I suppose they are..." Maylene smirked before reaching out to take Maylene's hand.
"You bet they're cute, they're the world's cutest couple and I dare anyone to say otherwise!" A female Team Yell member suddenly shouted out as she walked out from around the corner.
"I still say that Marnie should be with me!" A male Team Yell member remarked as he appeared next to her.
"Oh shut it will ya?"
"We hate to interrupt your regularly scheduled program but there's been a recent shakeup to a certain Pokemon League, a new Champion has recently been crowned!"
"A new champion?! Already?!" Ash excitedly turned around as he wondered which one had been taken out and better yet who their replacement was.
Zach frowned as he was in the middle of suggesting they temporarily trade Boldore and Scyther when the broadcast blared out.
"Diantha has been defeated ladies and gentlemen, Diantha has been defeated!" The screen updated to showcase a certain tanned skinned individual, his sleek purple hair shined in the sunlight as he met the crowd's cheers with a simple scowl as if he didn't care rather they liked him or not. "Meet Kalos' newest Champion-"
"No way it's Paul!"
"Pika pi!" Ash and Pikachu stared in shock as Paul held onto the Kalos Championship trophy.