Chapter 4: Training for the Big Leagues!
With the Grand Festival out of the way, now
it was time to focus on the latter half of their Hoenn Journey: The Hoenn League Ever Grande Conference.
The Tournament was to be taken place at Ever Grande City in exactly 2-3 weeks. Ash and his friends were far off from the island, so instead of just going to the island now, they decided to hang off from heading there until the week of the tournament.
So now we find our group on an island off the coast of Slatepory City.
"Well Ash now that the Grand Festival is over. You've got my undivided attention for training and support." May declares.
"Thanks May. This time I just know I can win it all." Ash said positive he could do greater than how did performed in the Kanto and Johto leagues.
"So Ash have given any thought to what your strategy will be?" Max asks.
"Or what Pokémon you're using?" Brock asks.
Good question, Ash thought back to his experiences with Wallace and the load of advice he had given him. "Well..originally I was planning on using just my Pokémon I caught here in Hoenn."
"You're gonna take on the league with only 6 Pokémon?" Max said unsure.
"Hang on he said originally." Brock said catching the keyword. "What changed your mind?"
"When Wallace helped me and Snorunt master Ice Beam I realized all the Pokémon back at Prof. Oak's lab were itching and raring to go. All of them full of new moves and potential and I had almost forgotten about all of them." Ash explains.
"Wow, inspiration from the champ?" May asked.
"I'm gonna use this time to train but to also reconnect with all my Pokémon I have at Prof. Oak's." Ash said.
"Hey that's not a bad idea to do. I bet they'll be happy to be put back in action." Brock said keen on the idea.
"And this is gonna be the first I meet all of them," May said liking it as well. So did Max.
"Well I have a good feeling they'll love you guys too, I got a whole bunch of them back there." Ash said.
"I can't wait to see them." May said.
"I saw a few of them in the Johto League so you're in for a treat." Max said.
"And not a moment to soon to start." Brock said pointing some areas around the island. "There's loads of places to train each different Pokémon."
Rocky mounds for ground types.
The ocean for water types.
A lush forest for grass and bug types.
The sandy beach to run along to boost up their strength and speed.
"Well Ash what do you plan to do to start?" Max asks.
"First things first. I need to make a phone call." Ash said.
Then it's off to the Pokémon Center. So they head into the island's main town.
As they made their way in May noticed a small little beach on the coast with something swimming in the water.
She looked down seeing a Marill swimming peacefully. "Marill, Marill," it sung while floating.
"A Marill?" May gasps.
When she first started she wanted an Azurill but she wasn't skilled enough to catch it.
"I always wanted to find a water Pokemon to catch." May said thinking about it.
"Hey May you coming or what?" Max calls out.
"Uh I'll catch up with you guys." May said.
Leaving them, May quickly runs down the pier. "Where's she going?" Ash wonders.
"She seemed very eager for some reason." Max said.
"What do you say we go see what she's up to?" Brock suggests.
"Hmm.." Ash looks down at her eyes and sees she had that determination..like he normally has. "You know what? Yeah, I wanna see this."
Making their way to the small hill overlooking the beach, they looked down to see May approaching the Marill.
"OK May, how should you approach it?" May asks herself.
"A Marill?" Ash said surprised.
"May walked away because she wanted to catch a Marill?" Max asks.
"It looks to me May is preparing herself for her own new beginning of her career." Brock figured.
"Well then Marill is the perfect Pokémon for that." Ash said.
"Alright time to play smart. Bulbasaur take the stage!" May said calling out her grass type."Bulbasaur!" Her cry, gained the attention of Marill.
"Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!" May said as Bulbasaur's vines extends out and grabbed Marill.
"Marill!" Marill gasps being yanked out of the water and landing across from them.
"Now use Razor Leaf!" Bringing the vines back into her bulb, Bulbasaur fires two sharp spinning leaves at Marill.
"Marill!" Marill retaliated by firing water gun out of its mouth, whisking away the leaves.
'The first time I battled one I went in with Torchic and had no idea what I was doing. But not this time.' May thought.
Water suddenly formed around Marill's tail as she swished it around and smashes it against Bulbasaur.
"Whoa that was Aqua Tail." Max gasps.
"Aqua Tail?" That was a new move Ash hasn't seen before.
"Marill!" Marill said coming in for another one.
"Bulbasaur use Petal Dance!" Creating a storm of cherry blossoms Bulbasaur stops Marill in its tracks.
"Now use Weather Ball!" She said.
"Bulba!" Using the energy from the sunny beach the weather ball erupted in flames.
"Marill!" Marill easily extinguished it with Water Gun, blasting Bulbasaur in the face.
"Man I was really hoping that would work." May growls.
"Come on May. Try to focus and find a way around this." Ash whispers.
Calming down, May had to play her cards right if she wants to win.
"Marill!" Firing a Water Gun Marill forces Bulbasaur to dodge.
"Bulbasaur, Sand Attack!" May said. Using Vine Whip, Bulbasaur flings the sand at Marill stopping Water Gun.
"Sand Attack?" Max asked shocked.
"I didn't Bulbasaur could learn that." Ash said surprised.
"It can't but May found a way to make her own version of it." Brock said amazed.
Look at her, already making herself a new trainer.
"Now Razor Leaf!" While Marill was trying to get the sand out Bulbasaur used this opening to deliver a super effective attack.
"Marill!" The aqua mouse exclaimed in pain.
Falling to the ground Marill groans with swirly eyes.
"Go Pokeball!" Seeing her chance May threw the Pokeball hitting Marill and sucking it up.
The ball wiggled once, twice, thrice until finally it clicked with stars popping out of the center.
"Yes!" May jumped for joy as she held her new Pokémon in the air. "We just got a Marill!"
"Bulbasaur." Bulbasaur smiles.
"She did it. That Sand Attack gave May the chance she needed to win." Max smiles.
"That didn't take her too long," Brock said impressed.
"Well what did you expect? She's not that same rookie anymore." Ash smiles.
"Oh man Ash is never gonna believe this." May smiles picking up the Pokeball.
"Quick, act like we didn't see her," Ash motions, as May was coming up back to them.
As she made her way up the steps she sees Ash, Max and Brock casually waiting by the Pokemon Center.
"Hey guys, sorry about the holdup." May said.
"Hm? Oh nah, you're fine." Brock said.
"You sure took your time." Max said.
"Well I have a bit of a surprise guys. Guess who now has a full team of Pokemon?" May smiles proudly.
"No way, you caught a new Pokémon?" Ash said.
"My 6th Pokémon. Now I have something new for when I take on the Grand Festival next time." May said.
"So what Pokémon did you get?" Ash asks
"See later. First we deal with your Pokémon situation." May urged.
Playfully pushing him inside, May led Ash straight to the phone unaware that they knew everything.
Not a moment sooner or later, Ash finally got in contact with an elderly man with white hair. This was Prof. Oak. "So I take it that your time with Kingler has given you the idea?" He asks.
"Yeah, if my old Pokémon can help my new Pokémon out, I may have a chance to do a whole lot better this time." Ash said.
"Sounds like you have a plan." Prof. Oak said intrigued.
"Yes I do Professor and I need all my Pokémon to be at their best." Ash said.
"Well I'm board on it. Just tell me who wish to switch out with first." Prof. Oak said.
"I want start by sending some of my new Pokémon back so they can meet the others while I get my old team back." Ash suggests.
Ash's Hoenn Team consisted of: Swellow, Grovyle, Corphish, Torkoal and Glalie.
"Well if I might make a suggestion Corphish and Glalie might get along with your other Water Pokémon." Prof. Oak suggests.
"Good idea." Ash said. He could give Glalie a break from training.
"You know I bet Phanpy wouldn't mind some training." Brock points out. That's right, Ash never had the time to train Phanpy for big battles since he hatched.
"Okay that's two." Ash said putting both Pokeballs down. "And how about Torkoal? He could train with Cyndaquil."
"We just need one more Pokémon to send your way. The only question is whaaa?!" Prof. Oak yells as Muk appears tackling him into a hug.
"Muk! Muk! Muk!" The poisonous gunk happily said.
"Is he okay? That looked painful?" May asks worried.
"Don't worry, this always happen." Brock said as he and Ash chuckle.
"How about I take Muk off your hands Professor?" Ash asked.
"Perfect. You send me your 3 Pokémon and I'll send them over." Prof. Oak groans crawling out of Muk.
Ash placed Torkoal, Glalie, and Corphish's Pokéballs on the transporter one by one, sending them to Pallet.
In place of them, two Pokeballs appeared.
"That will keep me at ease for awhile," Prof. Oak said relieved to have Muk away for the time being.
"I'll call you when I want to switch out more of my Pokemon." Ash informs.
"Well I'll be sure to relay the message to them so they can prepare themselves." Prof. Oak said.
Thanking him, Ash logged off and hurried outside. "Phanpy, Muk! Come on out!" Both balls opened up, revealing the baby elephant and moving purple gunk.
"PhanpyPhan!"
"Muk!"
"Wow they sure look different than when you see them on TV." Max said before accidentally getting a whiff of Muk. "Ugh I forgot how bad Muk can smell."
"Yeah, but you'd get used to-IT!" Ash was cut off by Muk tackling him into a goopy hug.
"MukMuk!"
"OK! Good to see you too, now come on! Get off of me!"
"This sweet and a little gross at the same time." May said not wanting to get near this.
Meanwhile Pikachu met up with Phanpy. "PhanpyPhan!"
"Pikapika." Pikachu happily greets Phanpy with some light electric shocks, which tickled Phanpy.
"I see some things never change." Brock chuckles.
"I've never seen a Ground Pokemon like Electric attacks before." Max said.
Ash struggled out of Muk's gunk grip. "Well since it dosen't affect him, it only tickles him."
"Well Ash, we better to get to work. The Hoenn League will be here before you know it." Brock said helping him up.
"Right, let's do this." Ash said ready to begin.
Going to the beach, Ash opened up the other Pokéballs,releasing Grovyle and Swellow.
"Grovyle!"
"Swellow."
"Hey guys I want you to meet some of my old friends. Grovyle, Swellow say hello to Phanpy and Muk." Ash introduced.
Both Hoenn regional Pokémon greeted them.
"We're gonna be meeting a lot of new faces and we need to learn to work together and push ourselves to our best if we want to win the Hoenn League." Ash explains.
Each Pokémon cried out, ready for action.
"Then let's get to work." Ash said.
To begin their training Ash and his Pokemon did a series of drills.
1. Sprints.
2. Exercises.
3. Training separately.
4. Sparring/Mock Battles.
"Alright Muk show me that new move of yours. Gunk Shot!" Ash said.
"Muk!" Taking a big breath Muk spits a giant ball of filthy garbage destroying a rock.
"Good! Now try focusing on your accuracy. If the opponent is coming at different places, then you have to be quick about it." Ash coached him.
"Muk." Nodding Muk, kept firing.
This time Swellow was flying around and around trying to evade each attack.
"Don't let a single shot hit you Swellow!" Ash said. "And no using Quick Attack! Only use your speed!"
"Swell!" Having to rely on his own speed, Swellow dived quickly and then pulled up narrowly avoiding Gunk Shot.
Grovyle was near the water, hopping from stone to stone. Ash instructed him on focusing on his landing, agility and balance. So he chose rock hopping and if Grovyle fell in the water, he had to start all over.
Phanpy was on the sand racing around in Rollout trying to increase his rolling speed and power, but he kept bumping into stuff on his way. He wasn't a fully-powered steamroller yet.
"Come on Phanpy. You need to have the power to back up that speed." Ash calls out.
"Phan.." With a growl, Phanpy curled right back into a ball and spun around.
Finally, Pikachu was in a match against Brock's Forretress.
"Forretress, use Spikes!" Forretress spins around and glowing white spikes comes out of its body.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu started dodging and avoiding each spike coming his way.
"Now, Rapid Spin!" Spinning quickly Forretress raced in and rammed into Pikachu.
"You have to react fast Pikachu," Ash said. "Even at the last second, they'll give us a sneak attack."
"Pika." Pikachu said getting up.
"Forretress let's slow them down! Spike!" Brock said as Forretress fired more spikes at Pikachu.
"Dodge!" Ash said as Pikachu jumped left to right, avoiding the upcoming projectiles.
"Now use Tackle!" Brock said.
"Iron Tail!" At the last second just before Tackle hit, Pikachu swings his tail up smacking Forretress away.
"Pika!" Pikachu smiled in victory.
"Phew that was way too close." Ash breathed in relief.
"Good job, but we're done finished yet you two," Brock said.
"Forretress!" Forretress spun, confirming it.
"Fine by us! Pikachu Thunder!" Ash said as Pikachu released a powerful electric attack.
"Avoid it!" Forretress spunin the air, dodging left and right trying not to get struck. "Use Zap Cannon!"
"FOR!!" Forretress fired electrical shots from the miniature cannons from the sides of his body.
"Use Iron Tail and deflect it!" Swinging his tail Pikachu whacks Zap Cannon sending it flying back.
Forretress quickly hid in his protective shell to take the upcoming blow.
"We have our speed down now if can deflect attacks like that at the league we can give us an edge against even the most stubborn Pokémon." Ash grins.
Part 1 of their training plan was complete.
And while Ash and his current team were training in Hoenn the others were preparing themselves in Kanto too.
"Corphish!!" Corphish's claw bashed with Ash's Kingler.
"Kooki!" Kingler said pushing back.
"Saur! Saur!" Bulbasaur instructs as Ash's Pokémon made their own challenge, outrunning the Tauros.
Above them Noctowl was flying practicing aerial maneuvers and tricks while also using Psychic on the not so fast Pokémon.
Since it barely used his psychic abilities back in Johto, Noctowl was using its time to master it and learn new ones for Ash to use.
On the hill, Tracey was watching the Pokémon training and taking notes with Prof. Oak.
"None of them aren't taking any slack the slightest Professor." Tracey said.
"Of course they are. This is their big chance to get back into battles and they are not going to waste it." Prof. Oak said.
"Wonder what made Ash get the idea to have them all train here?" Tracey said.
"Inspiration is like a light. It can turn on in an instant and warm everything around it." Prof. Oak said going into poetry mode.
"Hmm true words spoken," Tracey said in awe at the choice of words.
"Ash is going to need all of them in tip top shape. We better be ready to send them over when he needs them." Prof. Oak advises.
"You got it Professor," Tracey nods getting back to his work.
Back in Hoenn..
The first few days of training had gone by and Ash was starting to feel the burn.
Sitting down on the couch Ash caught his breath.
"Boy Ash, it looks like you've been doing the training instead of the Pokémon," He saw over his head was May with some bottles of lemonade.
"Well who says they should be doing all the heavy lifting." Ash said taking a big sip.
"Wait, you've been working out with them too?" May asked surprised.
"Well it was sorta something I've seen some guys do it and well thought I'd do the same." Ash said.
"Wow no wonder you're so worn out." May said sitting down next to him.
"A strong willed trainer cab train strong and willed Pokémon." Ash quotes. "That's what Prof. Oak told me."
"Hmm maybe I should try that for my next contest." May said considering it.
"I dunno, it may get hard along the way," Ash teased with a grin.
"Hey I am not the same rookie I used to be. I'm a Grand Festival finalist." May states
"I know, I've seen it," Ash said.
"So why can't you train me that way?" May asked.
"Because this is my way of training May. You need to figure out your own style and not just copy me." Ash said.
"Copy? You think I'm copying you?" May asked surprised.
"Not down to the letter. May for most of Hoenn you've needed help to figure things out, but now that you made it to the Grabd Festival it's time that you figure out what works for you. What's going to make YOU better than last time." Ash said pointing at her.
May stood there, thinking about what he said. And it's true, she needed a whole lot of help to make it to where she needed to be. She never considered the thought of becoming her own trainer.
"I got my own way of battling, so what's yours?" Ash asks again.
"I..I..I don't know," May revealed with a frown.
"Well then I guess you better start figuring that out." Ash said. He gets back up, feeling refreshed. "Come on, how about a battle? Maybe that outra help you find it?"
"You're on." May nods eager to find her battle style.
This would do great for both her and Ash, seeing how both need the training.
In the practice arena Ash and May faced off.
"Wow have Ash and May ever actually battled before?" Max asks.
"Not one their own." Brock said recalling the tag battle mess.
"Let's make this one on one, sounds fine with you?" Ash asks May.
"Works for me." May nods.
Ash turns to his team lined up. "Alright, who to choose.." He said scouting each of his Pokémon.
He had recently made some changes to his roster after assisting the first group.
We had Corphish in the unique challenge of trying to catch his energetic Totodile. One of his Tauros rammed into the nearby boulders, crushing them with his glowing head horns. Torkoal was using Iron Defense to deflect attacks sent by Pikachu. Heracross chopped his hand on some logs, breaking them in half.
"Hmm Corphish!" Ash calls out getting his attention.
"Cor?" Corphish said stopping in his tracks.
"Come on. I need you to battle with me." Ash gestures
"Corphish!" He stopped his training with Totodile and told him to go see Heracross and scuttled to Ash.
'Corphish huh? Might not be a good idea to use Combusken. Good thing I'm familiar with some of Ash's moves.' May thought getting an idea. "Bulbasaur take the stage!"
"Bulbasaur!" Her Kanto starter cried out, appearing for action.
"Well May made a smart call, she's seen Ash battle with Corphish a million times. Ash should have picked another one." Max said.
"Watching is one thing battling is a whole different thing." Brock said.
"Ladies first." Ash said giving May the first move.
"You're gonna regret that. Bulbasaur Razor Leaf!" May said as Bulbasaur hurled leaves at them.
"Corphish Harden!" Increasing his defense Corphish took the attack with ease.
"Use Petal Dance!" Bulbasaur unleashed a stream of cherry blossom petals towards Corphish.
"Spin while using Bubble Beam!" Ash said.
"Corphish!" Spinning like a top, Corphish released a stream of bubbles that combined with the petals, making a brief expulsion in the air.
"Use Vine Whip but aim low!" May said.
Swinging a vine, it whacked Corphish's leg while it was still spinning making him fall over.
"Corphish, Dig!" Eyes sharpening, Corphish quickly dove underground.
"I didn't know Corphish could do that move?" May said impressed.
"Tracey looked into a few things when I sent him over." Ash points out.
Bulbasaur looked all around her, wondering where Corphish was going to pop out. Then unaware, she failed to notice a hole behind her. May noticed and gasped. "Bulbasaur, behind you!"
"Too late, Crabhammer!" Ash said.
Corphish hopped out of the hole and knocked Bulbasaur with a glowing blue claw.
"Bulba!" Bulbasaur screams flying backward.
"Hang in there Bulbasaur!" May said as Bulbasaur shook off the attack.
"Use Crabhammer and charge in!" Ash said as Corphish scuttled towards Bulbasaur with his claw glowing yet again.
"Bulbasaur, use Weather Ball and slow Corphish down!" May said.
"Bulba!" Creating a glowing ball but just as it was about to turn red because of the sun a strong wind blew in changing weatherball to Gust based attack.
"Cor.." Corphish cringed, trying it's best not to be knocked away.
"Woah, what was that?" Max blinked.
"Weather Ball is a move that depends on the weather around you. That wind gave the attack a big enough boost to change at the very last second." Brock said.
"So it predicts on what kind of weather is going on around us,' May said understanding the attack more.
"We're not gonna let a little wind keep us down right Corphish?" Ash asks.
"Corphish!" Corphish yells saying no way.
"Then time for something different! Use Crabhammer while spinning like last time!" Ash said.
"Shut them down Bulbasaur Petal dance!" Creating a storm of cherry blossoms Bulbasaur made a wall to deflect the attack.
"Launch yourself upwards with Bubblebeam!" Ash said.
Briefly stopping his spinning, pointing his claws downwards, Corphish propelled himself above the wall.
"Whoa!" Max gasps as Corphish came down on Bulbasaur.
'Man Ash is countering all my moves. Maybe he was right. I've been using tricks I learned from him.' May realized.
"Now do you see May?" Ash calls out to her. "If you can't find a way to break my strategy with your own, how do you plan on winning against other trainers or coordinators in the future?"
"Bulba." Bulbasaur said slowly getting up.
"Come on May. You can do it. Just find your own style." Max calls out.
"Anything that you can be comfortable with," Brock calls out.
"What I'm comfortable with." May pauses taking that in.
Going through Hoenn with each battle May learned a little more and figured out her own moves and tricks for contests.
So now it was time combine them with what she learn up till now. "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip into the air and then use Weather Ball!"
Using her vines, Bulbasaur launches herself off the ground and right above Corphish.
Gathering energy for weather ball since they were so close to the sun it erupted into a giant fireball.
"Saur!" Bulbasaur yells hurling it straight down on Corphish.
Even thought he was a Water Type, the flames got to Corphish making him cry out in pain.
"Now Bulbasaur Petal Dance Straight down!" May said as Bulbasaur released a tornado of petals that rained down trapping Corphish from all sides.
"Corphish! Cor!" Corphish was pelted left to right by running into petals.
"Corphish Dig!" Burrowing underground Corphish escapes the petal tornado and comes out the outside.
"Catch him with Vine Whip!" May said.
"Duck to avoid it!" Bulbasaur extends her vine out to grab Corphish, who quickly dove back into the hole.
"Oh no you don't, flush him out with Petal Dance!" May said
"Saur!" Bulbasaur fired cherry blossoms down the hole.
As the ground shook cherry blossoms exploded out of the hole making them fly everywhere like a beautiful zen garden.
And Corphish was sent flying out of the hole and landed in front of Ash. "Corphish! Are you alright?"
"Cor." Corphish growls struggling to get up.
He wasn't going to back down from the fight anytime soon. His fire has refused to go out like this.
"We're not going down either!" May said as Bulbasaur was equally determined.
"Bubble Beam!"
"Razor Leaf!" Ash's Corphish and May's Bulbasaur fired their attacks, colliding in the middle of the arena.
"Come on Bulbasaur Vine Whip!" Flinging the vines forward Bulbasaur ties up Corphish.
"Bulbasaur!" Swinging with all of her might, Bulbasaur threw him over her head and towards the sea.
"We almost got them Bulbasaur! Just a little more!" May said.
Seeing the determined look on her face, Ash couldn't help but smile.
"Corphish into the sand!" Ash said.
Going under, Corphish raced through the sand like a jet towards Bulbasaur.
"I remember this," May said recalling this technique was exactly the same as when they first met Corphish back on Dewford Island.
"Charge in and Crabhammer!"
"Razor Leaf on the Sand!" Firing multiple leaves at the sand they make it shoot up in the air obscuring Corphish and forcing him to change directions.
"Turn back around Corphish!" Ash yells.
"Vine Whip!" Firing the vines, May grabs Corphish.
"Remember when we tried to grab Corphish this way?" May reminds as Bulbasaur yanked Corphish out of the sand.
"Corphish!" Corphish cried out as Bulbasaur sends him right across from them and slams him into the ground.
"Now Weather Ball!" May said as Bulbasaur created a flaming ball ready to hurl it at the tied up Corphish.
"Come on Corphish! Get up and fast!" Ash yells.
"Cor..Cor.." Corphish struggles to get out of Bulbasaur's binds
Max and Brock were on the edge of their seats.
"Come on Come on." May said as Bulabsaur hurled it at him.
Opening one of his claws, Corphish moves it towards the vines and clamps down hard making Bulbasaur scream in pain.
Feeling the vines loosening up a bit, Corphish managed to break free and jump away in the nick of time as Weather Ball lands right where he used to be.
"Oh man that was way too close." Max said.
"Another second and Corphish would be a goner." Brock said.
Corphish pants, feeling tuckered out of almost getting knocked out 2 times.
"Wow May that was amazing. You almost had me." Ash said.
"What's this almost? You guys look like you're on your last leg." May said.
"Yeah well there's the difference between strength for the both of us," Ash said.
"Cor!" Corphish said diving back into the sand.
"Not gonna work! Petal Dance!" May said firing cherry blossoms.
"Crabhammer and spin!" Using Crabhammer like a drill, Corphish pushed through it.
"Bulba?!" Bulbasaur gasped before she was smacked away with a critical hit. "Saur!"
Falling to the ground Bulbasaur groans with swirly eyes.
"Bulbasaur!" May quickly runs over to her.
"Saur." Bulbasaur groans.
"Looks like we both need some more practice." May said.
A hand stretched out to her, looking up she saw it was Ash's. "You were great May."
"Well what do you think of my own style?" May asks.
"Honestly when you master it, not even Drew will stand a chance against you." Ash smiles.
That made May happy to hear, not all that sad she lost to Ash.
"Corphish Cor." Corphish smiles when he suddenly began to glow.
Which gained everyone's attention as they look in shock. "C-Corphish?" Ash gasped.
Growing in size, Corphish's skin turned dark red, a star appeared on his forehead and two blue lines in the shape of Vs on his chest.
"Crawdaunt."
"C-Corphish just evolved into Crawdaunt!" Max said blown away.
"I guess May and Bulbasaur helped give him the final push to win." Brock smiles.
"Pika Pika." Pikachu said as he and Torkoal walked up to their newly evolved friend.
"Torkoal." Torkoal smiles.
"Craw!" Showing off his new form, Crawdaunt's claw glowed dark purple. Cawdraunt then jumps up and slash a tree, into two.
"What was that?" May gasped as Ash brought his PokéDex out.
"Night Slash: The user slashes the target the instant an opportunity arises. Critical hits land more easily."
"Well if that doesn't sound like a boost for the league I don't know what is." May smiles.
"I guess you helped me figure things out too." Ash smiles eager to use this.
Now Ash and his Pokémon were even more pumped for more training past their limits. And May on the other hand is well on her way to becoming a better Coordinator than before.
For the next week Ash and all his Pokemon pushed themselves to their limits.
Flying through the air, Noctowl and Swellow raced each other but they both had passengers.
Noctowl had Cyndaquil on his back as he fired Flamethrower at Swellow who had Pikachu on his.
"Pikachu!!" Pikachu counters it with his Thunderbolt, causing an explosion midair.
"Come on you guys. Noctowl try to outmaneuver Swellow! Swellow try to keep up!" Ash calls out.
"Swellow!!" Swellow cranked up the speed as he raced towards Noctowl.
"Brr!!" Noctowl caught wind of him and did a dive bomb.
As Swellow flew after Cyndaquil turned around and released Smokescreen sending Swellow and Pikachu spiraling out of control.
Lucky for them they instead landed on Snorlax's belly.
"Snor.." The giant bear Pokémon didn't even flinch of company on its belly.
"Munchlax." May's Munchlax said laying next to him.
Seems like the pre-evolution is learning abit more or his soon to be evolved form.
Next Glalie and Skitty were clashing Ice attacks.
"Nya!" Skitty yells using Blizzard.
"Gla!" Glalie yells firing Ice Beam.
Both seem to be evenly match when it comes to power, but Glalie's Ice Beam seem to be hitting stronger abit more.
During another training session, Brock's Forretress was spinning rapidly making a sandstorm and Ash's Pokémon had to take the whole thing without moving.
If they wanted to survive some severe ground effects, they had to act like they were in one.
As Pikachu, Bayleef, Muk, Kingler and Heracross cringed in pain all of them struggled to wait it out.
'Endure it you guys. Be strong." Ash said overseeing it.
Next was the wave dodging exercise.
We see Pikachu, Heracross and Grovyle sparring. Grovyle was using Leaf Blade to try to slash Pikachu, while Heracross was using Focus Punch.
"Come on guys! Make your moves quick and precise! Don't just swing your arms everywhere!" Ash calls out.
Meanwhile using his profound speed, Pikachu was dodging each blow gracefully.
"Pikachu!" Racing in Pikachu knocks Hearcross back before leaping off him and attacking Grovyle.
"Gro!" Grovyle leans back, Matrix style before doing a bicycle kick, knocking Pikachu on the opposite end.
"Nice one Grovyle." Ash grins.
Grovyle picks the twig back up and places it back in his mouth. "Gro," he grins.
As they entered the final week, other trainers were beginning to show up.
"Looks like they're getting some last minute training in," May figured.
"These people want to win just as much as anyone." Brock said.
"Oh boy oh boy. I can't believe I'm finally here." A nervous voice said.
Looking over they saw a boy with green hair pacing back and forth.
"Excuse me, are you alright?" Brock asks, starting him.
"Huh? Oh uh sorry it's just...this is my first League. I'm a little nervous." He admits.
"Oh it's fine every one gets nervous here and then," Brock reassured him.
"Yeah I just hope I make it a decent amount. If I go home in round 1 I'll be a joke." He said.
"A joke? Hey don't sell yourself short. You've had to do well in order to collect your 8 badges," May said.
"Seems like someone needs a little more self confidence." Brock said.
May then looked to seeing Ash finishing up another day of training. "And I may know just the guy to help."
As Max had a timer, he watched Ash and he and his Pokémon ran laps.
"And...time!" He pressed the button, making them stop.
"How did we do?" Ash asks catching his breath.
Max read the time on the stopwatch. "Hmm a little bit better than last time by 2 minutes."
"Nice job guys let's take a break." Ash calls out.
All of the Pokémon then sat down catching their breath after another busy day of training.
"Ash!" Turning they saw May waving out to them, with someone with them.
"Hey guys what's up?" Ash asks.
"Who's your new friend?" Max asks.
"Oh this is uh…" May pauses realizing they never asked.
"Oh I'm sorry. My name is Wally," the green haired boy said introducing himself. "And I'm from Petalburg City." He said shocking May and Max.
"Wait you're from Petalburg too?" Max said.
"No way so are we." May smiles.
"Really?" Wally then looked at them at second glance. "Oh yeah? You're May and Max Maple aren't you? Your dad is Norman, right?"
"That's him." Max nods.
"Wow, I saw you on tv during the Grand Festival." Wally said to May. "You were amazing."
"Oh stop." May said blushing from the publicity.
"Wally is competing in the Hoenn League too, but he's not exactly emotionally prepared for it." Brock said.
"Really? What's on your mind that you don't think you're ready?" Ash asks.
"Well...I kinda joined this a little late." Wally admits confusing them.
"What do you mean?" Ash asks.
Reaching to his pocket, Wally took out a strange-looking mask and breathes into it.
"W-what is that?" Max asked.
"It um, helps me breathe more fluently," Wally says through it.
"Is that what you meant by joined this late?" Ash asks.
"Yep. I have an illness. And I originally went to Norman because I wanted to borrow a Pokemon to catch my own. But he was busy. Fortunately I met someone who helped me catch a Pokemon of my own." Wally said catching his breath.
"But if you have an illness, shouldn't you be home resting instead?" Brock asks, concerned.
"I did, I rested for a few months and the doctors gave me permission to travel so long as I made sure to check in at every passing Pokemon Center. Turns out Nurse Joy also has a license to exam people with serious illnesses." Wally points out.
"She does?" Brock pauses.
"She isn't just a Pokémon doctor you know," Wally's eyes lit up.
"Thank you so much for telling me this Wa--AAAH!" Brock yells as Max pulls his ear.
"She has a license for helping people with illness, not for helping sick creeps," he said pushing his glasses to his face.
"Anyway, I don't have near enough experience as most of the trainers here. I'm months behind even ones that are my level." Wally frowns.
Ash looks to him and for some reason..saw someone else inside of Wally. Something that felt so familiar to him.
"You know experience isn't the only thing that defines a trainer. So you had a bad start? I had one too." Ash admits.
"You did?" Wally said surprised.
"I knew next to nothing about anything." Ash said.
"Sort of reminds me of a certain someone.." Max mutters, only to get smacked on the head by that certain someone, who happened to be his sister.
"Look you may think you're not good enough, but those 8 badges and your Pokemon say otherwise. If you go out there and try your best I guarantee you'll be fine even if you lose." Ash said.
Wally was surprised by his words. It sorta of felt like someone said the same thing to him a long time ago.
"Come on Wally you won't know until you try, but you can't let what might happen ruin things for you." A voice said in the back of his mind.
In his head, Wally saw in front of Ash another boy their age a with black headband with a red Poké Ball pattern. He sports a long-sleeved red and black sweater and black shorts over baggy black trousers with yellow cuffs at the bottom. His sneakers are also red and black, matching his outfit. Around his neck he sports a gold band with a round white circle in the center, and on his hands he wears yellow and blue fingerless gloves.
"So Wally still think you don't have a shot?" May asks.
Snapping out of it, Wally grew a smile. "Honeslty, no. I-I think i can do this."
"Well know this. We'll be rooting for a fellow Petalburg trainer so hopefully that helps." Max said.
"It does Max. Thanks." Wally smiles.
He leaves them begin his training. Ash then called out, "Hey Wally! I hope we get to battle at the Hoenn League!"
Nodding, Wally gives him a thumbs up.
Now it seems Ash has gotten some more competion.
Later that night, Max was in the waiting area eager to see what other trainers were showing up.
"Hey I'm trying to get my Slowpoke to evolve into Skowking for the competition. You wanna trade with me?"
"Sure. I was looking for someone to trade with my Clamperl so it could be a Gorebyss." Some trainers were planning to do a mock trade.
"Come on Machamp push it! We only have a few more days!" A trainer said lifting weights with his Machamp.
"Mightyena, Hyper Beam!"
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump!" Two trainers were having a battle.
J"I thought trainers weren't allowed to battle outside the arenas?" Max said confused.
"That rule is only enforced when the League begins. Before and after anything is fair game." A familiar voice said.
Turning around Max gasps seeing a man with light blue hair and hiking gear nearby.
"Steven?!" Max gasps.
"Long time no see." He smiles.
"Woah we haven't seen you since Dewford. What are you doing here?" Max asks.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to compete." Steven revealed.
"You're in the League? I thought you were into exploring and learning about Pokemon. Not battles." Max said.
"Can't I enjoy both?" Steven smirks.
"This is crazy. You've been getting badges in your spare time?" Max asks again.
"All 8 of them." Steven nods.
"Well Ash now has even more competition now," Max said.
"Ash is here too? That's great. So he was able to win the Dewford Gym huh?" Steven asks.
"Yeah got it on the second time." Max nods.
"Looks like his training really paid off," Steven smiled.
"I don't suppose you still use that amazing Aggron we saw?" Max asks.
"And a few others." Steven hints.
"Sweet, so we'll see you at Ever Grande?" Max asks.
"Count on it." Steven nods.
He walks up to the front desk as Max smiles. "Oh wait until I tell the others," he said running off.
"I can't wait either Max. Especially after my old rival called talking about him." Steven hints.
With the Hoenn League right around the corner, and Ash and all his Pokemon having pushed themselves to their limits. Will it be enough to take on new trainers like Wally and Steven?
Next Time: Let the Preliminaries Begin!
Finally I'm back!
I'm so sorry for the long Hiatus everyone.
I had burn out the first time I did the Hoenn League, which meant I had to start over from scratch, replan every thing, and a proper training route before I begin.
Also, a couple of weeks back, me and my mother had Covid. Yeah it sucked, but we're all better now.
First off, Steven is replacing Tyson. I felt that it was stupid that Ash lost to a Meowth of all Pokémon, when he's been fighting one for years.
I evolved Corphish, because I really wish it did. It would've Ash's very first Dark Type before Krookodile in BW.
Did you liked May catching a Marill?
This chapter inspired me from the Journeys episode with the return of Paul. It was awesome.
I'm keeping Morrison, since we've already went past his debut. But tell me oh, what did you think about me adding Wally and Steven Stone? Those two would've been good rivals for Ash, but instead the reason why Ash didn't have any rivals in Hoenn was because he himself was his rival as he had to drop his cocky attitude. Which I found really annoying.
But there's one more trainer I plan to add on here, but you won't see them until the league starts up.
Well I guess that's all for now.
