Battling into the Hall of Fame
Alec's POV
It was now the last day at Professor Sycamore's Summer Camp and everyone was standing on the beach waiting for the Professor to tell everyone the day's activity. "Good morning everyone. It's already our last day at camp, which means we finally decide who gets into the hall of fame. So get ready for the Team Battle Competition," Sycamore told them. Everyone got excited at that though the rest of Team Froakie didn't know what that meant.
"Team Battle, huh," Ash said.
"Everyone is so excited," Serena noted.
"The Team Battle Competition works like a tournament. As usual, the team with the top three places will gain points. We have two teams tied for the lead, and that's Team Froakie and Team Squirtle. This is the final camp event, so let's get out there and have fun!" Sycamore explained.
The teams headed back to their cabins and Team Squirtle met up with Team Froakie at their cabin. "A team battle consists of several trainers forming a team and battling using various types of formations," Clemont explained.
"Now today, our teams will be made up of three trainers, but it can be a five or even a seven-person team," Trevor added.
"It sounds confusing to me," Serena stated.
"Have you done this before Clemont?" Bonnie asked.
"Unfortunately I've never had the chance," Clemont answered then turned to Team Squirtle, "but it sounds like you guys have."
"That's for sure, it usually happens when a lot of trainers get together," Shauna explained.
"The next thing we usually do is have a strategy meeting. It's fun to compare the personalities and skills of Pokémon while we decided on our formation," Trevor added.
"Hang on, I just realized something," Alec said.
"What is it?" Bonnie asked.
"The teams are going to be three vs three, so one of us is going to have to sit out," Alec explained.
"You're right," Ash realized.
"So, who's going to sit out?" Clemont asked.
"I'll do it," Serena said out of the blue. Alec was surprised. "I'm the weakest out of all of us here, it'd be better if I sit out."
"No, I'll do Serena," Alec told her.
"You sure Alec?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure. Besides, if I'm on the team, it wouldn't be fair to everyone else. And let's be honest, I could form a team of just myself and win," Alec noted.
"Alright then Serena and Clemont, we can't lose. We'll win this competition and get into the hall of fame!" Ash said excitedly.
Ash's POV
A little while later, Team Froakie had made their way to the semifinals. Their opponents were using Fletchling, Manectric, and Furfrou while Ash was using Pikachu, Serena was using Fennekin, and Clemont was using Bunnelby. "Now Pikachu, let's get this going with Electro Ball!" Ash commanded. Pikachu jumped into the air and threw the Electro ball toward his opponents.
"Fennekin, use Hidden Power! Combine it with that Electro Ball!" Serena commanded.
"Alright Bunnelby, Dig!" Clemont shouted. Bunnelby went underground as Fennekin's Hidden Power was launched and circled Electro Ball.
"It worked!" Serena said excitedly.
"Nice one, Serena!" Ash complimented. The Electro Ball-Hidden Power combo hit Manectric and Fletchling as Bunnelby came out from underneath Furfrou. All three Pokémon were now knocked up.
"Marvelous! Team Froakie has made it through this battle, and that means, on to the finals!" Professor Sycamore shouted. "Before Team Froakie faces off against Team Squirtle, the two teams will have their strategy meetings," Sycamore then announced. Ash and the rest of Team Froakie headed to the Pokémon Center to give their Pokémon a quick check-up when Team Froakie ran up.
"Nurse Joy, we're here for our Pokémon," Tierno said.
"Huh, what are you talking about?" Nurse Joy asked.
"What do you mean? Didn't our chiefs give our Pokémon to you for their check-up?" Trevor asked.
"Our chiefs did that?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, but it's been a while," Shauna explained.
"I say we split up and look for them," Ash said and the group agreed.
Once outside the Pokémon Center, Bunnelby's ears pricked up and he pointed them in a certain direction like he was listening to something. "Hey, Bunnelby's pointing over there," Clemont observed. Fennekin and Ethan then started sniffing in the same direction Bunnelby's ears were pointing.
"What is it Fennekin?" Serena asked.
"You got something, Ethan?" Alec asked his partner.
"Umbre, Umbreon," Ethan answered. The three Pokémon then ran off in the same direction.
"Ethan said he got something. Let's go," Alec said and the group followed him.
Alec's POV
The pursuit took the group into the forest where they found the three chiefs and Catherine near a covered up box. Fennekin then ran up to the box and started sniffing. "Trespasser! Get away now!" the man demanded.
"Your nose is getting out of joint," the small one added.
[Alec, they're in there,] Ethan told him as Fennekin tried to pull the cover off.
"What have you done with all of our Pokémon?" Trevor asked.
"It's what they've done they don't want you to see," Alec answered for him.
"What do you mean?" Shauna asked.
"Ethan, Psychic," Alec said. Ethan used the move and pulled the cover off revealing Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle all tied up with Leech Seed.
"How did you know?" the woman asked.
"I've suspected something was wrong about you three since I first laid eyes on you. Now it seems my suspicions were correct," Alec answered.
"What do you think you're doing with them?" Ash demanded.
The three chiefs pull off their disguises to reveal "Team Rocket!" Ash shouted.
"'Team Rocket'?" Trevor asked.
"They're bad guys who try to steal people's Pokémon," Ash clarified.
"Does that mean you're not real chiefs?" Catherine asked.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but this is our day job," Jessie explained.
"But you don't have to pay us for today," Meowth added.
Everyone was caught off guard when Alec started slow clapping. "You know, I honestly have to thank you three for showing up," Alec told Team Rocket.
"Say what now?" Jessie asked confused.
"Yeah, because you three have given me the perfect opportunity to try out a new Pokémon I caught. Zilla, let's go!" Alec shouted as he released the Tyranitar and he let loose a roar.
"Looks like we have a battle on our hands," James commented as Inkay and Pumpkaboo were released. Zilla's Sand Stream then kicked in.
"Don't worry, I've got this," Alec reassured everyone. "Zilla, use Focus Punch on Inkay!" Alec commanded.
Zilla ran right at his two opponents preparing his move. "Inkay, Psybeam!" James commanded.
"Pumpkaboo, Dark Pulse!" Jessie added.
Psybeam deflected off of Zilla without doing anything while Dark Pulse hit, but it didn't matter as Zilla continued his attack much to Team Rocket's shock. "How is that possible?!" James questioned as Zilla slammed Inkay with Focus Punch sending him into James.
"Pumpkaboo, Leech Seed," Jessie called out.
"Dodge and use Ice Beam!" Alec shouted. Zilla jumped out of the way of Leech Seed while firing Ice Beam from his mouth. The move encased Pumpkaboo in ice and it fell to the ground hard. "Now, get the Pokémon out of that cage with Stone Edge!" Zilla punched the ground and a line of jagged stones headed toward the cage, breaking it apart along with the Leech Seed. The trapped Pokémon ran back toward their trainers giving Zilla a clear shot on Team Rocket.
"Uh oh, I think I know what happens now," Meowth commented.
"Dark Pulse!" Alec shouted. The move sent Team Rocket into their blast-off as the sandstorm dissipated. "Good work there Zilla," Alec told him.
[Thanks boss,] Zilla said.
"Thank's Alec. That was amazing," Tierno said.
"Anytime. Let's get back, you six have a battle to do," Alec said.
Ash's POV
The two teams stood across from each other as Professor Sycamore prepared to start the match. Team Squirtle were using their partners in this and Clemont was using Chespin instead of Bunnelby. "Alright, teams. Are you ready for your final battle? On my whistle, let's go!" he said, blowing into the whistle to start the match.
"Here we come, use Quick Attack!" Ash commanded.
"Not so fast, Charmander, use Flamethrower!" Trevor countered.
"Alright Fennekin, protect Pikachu with Flamethrower!" Serena called out. The two Flamethrowers connected as Pikachu continued his attack.
"Use Rapid Spin on Pikachu!" Tierno called out quickly. The move sent Pikachu back and into the water. "Now use Water Gun on Fennekin!" Tierno commanded and the move hit Fennekin.
"They don't waste a step, Squirtle can move," Ash commented.
"Now Chespin, use Vine Whip on Squirtle!" Clemont shouted.
"Dodge that!" Tierno called out. Squirtle spun in the air deflecting the Vine Whip.
"Use Flame Burst on Chespin!" Trevor called out. The super-effective move hit Chespin and a bit of the attack hit Pikachu.
"Now Razor Leaf!" Shauna called out and the move hit all three Pokémon.
"They're trying to finish this," Ash realized.
"They're really strong," Serena commented.
"Look at Squirtle's rhythmic dances, just like he did before. They're using it to mount their attack," Clemont pointed out.
"Rhythm, man are they good at that," Ash noted. "We've got to break their rhythm, but how?" Ash wondered.
"When we saw Squirtle battle Alec, he used Earthquake to disrupt Squirtle's movements," Serena pointed out.
"They'd expect us to try that though. And besides, none of our Pokémon know Earthquake," Clemont told her.
"Bulbasaur, stand by for Solarbeam," Shauna commanded. Bulbasaur then started charging.
"Squirtle, Aqua Tail on Fennekin let's rock!" Tierno shouted.
"Fennekin, use Hidden Power!" Serena shouted. The move hit the Aqua Tail but the move still hit Fennekin. "Fennekin!" Serena called out. Fennekin now had swirls in her eyes, signaling that Serena was out of the match. "Fennekin, return."
"Now Charmander, Flamethrower!" Trevor commanded.
"Dodge it Pikachu!" Ash called out. Pikachu jumped over the Flamethrower as Shauna called out "We're all charged up, use Solarbeam!"
"Pikachu, dodge!" Ash commanded as Pikachu landed right in the Solarbeam's path.
"Now! Chespin, Vine Whip!" Clemont called out. The vines grabbed Pikachu and pulled him over the Solarbeam as it hit.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt on Charmander!" Ash commanded. Pikachu fired and the move took out Charmander in one shot.
"Use Rapid Spin!" Tierno called out. Squirtle then started spinning and headed right toward Pikachu and Chespin.
"Ash, now it's time for us to wrap this thing up. Use Vine Whip!" Clemont called out.
"Yeah alright. Pikachu, Electro Ball!" Ash added. Vine Whip slammed Squirtle into the sand while Electro Ball knocked out Bulbasaur.
"Nice combination guys but we're not done, Aqua Tail!" Tierno called out.
Pikachu jumped right over the attack and landed as Ash called out "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Thunderbolt hit and took down Squirtle.
"And that's the end of it! Team Froakie is our winning team, and that means, you'll be in the Hall of Fame!" Professor Sycamore shouted.
"Nice work you three!" Alec shouted as he ran up to them.
"Hall of Fame! Hall of Fame!" Bonnie shouted as she ran up as well. "We did it! Yeah!"
"Yeah, but Fennekin…" Serena started disappointed.
"Don't worry Serena. Fennekin may have lost today, but you can always use that to get stronger," Ash reassured her.
"He's right. You can learn a lot from defeats," Alec added.
"We'll get you back next time, okay Ash?" Trevor called out.
"Okay!" Ash replied.
"Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu added.
Serena's POV
As night finally fell, Professor Sycamore revealed one last surprise. "We've got a great surprise for you. On our summer camp's final night, these fireworks will help us celebrate our week of memories. Marvelous!" he said as the fireworks started going off.
As the fireworks were going off, Serena saw Ash go talk to Tierno. "Thinking about our last battle, could you show me your battle style?" Ash asked him as the rest of the group came up.
"You mean the way it moves and grooves?" Tierno asked.
"Ah-huh, I've never seen a battling style like that before. If we can learn to battle like that, I think we could be a lot stronger. No doubt," Ash told him.
"Is Ash serious?" Serena heard Alec mutter confusedly.
Back at the cabin, Ash explained in further detail. "See, I'm going to be challenging the Shalour Gym. I'm sure your battling style will be really effective at a fighting type gym like Shalour," Ash explained.
"A gym battle, I get it," Tierno said.
"Why don't you show him. Moving and grooving the way you do in battle is so cool," Shauna said.
"Not to mention a rhythmic battling style like that is really one of a kind. As far as I can see, by doing those dance steps and constantly moving around, it creates smooth transitions between attacking and dodging," Clemont added.
"What do you think Alec?" Ash asked.
"I think it's a terrible idea," Alec said bluntly.
"What do you mean?" Ash asked. Serena was confused as well. Why would Alec think that way?
"For starters, that isn't how you battle. And other, your Pokémon aren't used to battling like that," Alec told him. "But, don't let my opinion change your decision. If you want to do it, then go ahead."
"Anyways, it started when I was thinking about how to make moves flow better when a Pokémon uses them and came up with this way to do it," Tierno told Ash. He then got up and did a brief presentation. "Incorporating dance steps in our battle lets us ready our opponent's movements and makes it easier for them to battle at our pace."
"And to tell the truth, I had Tierno teach me some dance moves as well. I'm trying to use it as part of my performance," Shauna admitted.
"Okay Ash, I'll teach ya how to move and groove," Tierno said.
"Thanks a lot, Tierno," Ash said and he threw out his Pokémon.
"You've got to move it too," Tierno told Ash.
"What do you mean 'me'?" Ash asked, surprised.
"Yeah you, the most important thing is for trainer and Pokémon to become one. It won't work unless you're movin' and groovin' too," Tierno explained.
"I guess," Ash muttered.
"Pika," Pikachu said as he jumped down to the floor. He and Squirtle then started dancing.
"Yeah! Ready to rock," Ash said. Tierno then got out a beatbox and the two started training.
When the sun rose again, everyone was now getting ready for the closing ceremony. "Campers, I hereby announce the official closing of this season's Pokémon Summer Camp is upon us. Everyone, give yourselves a round of applause!" Professor Sycamore said. Everyone did so as he continued. "I sincerely hope, from the bottom of my heart, that the experience all of you gained as you competed alongside your Pokémon will be truly memorable as well as invaluable. May your journeys be rich and full, and keep traveling onward and upward with your Pokémon."
After the Professor's speech, everyone started to take their leave. "Hey Ash, make sure you work on everything I showed you last night," Tierno told him.
"You bet," Ash replied.
"I hope you follow through. I'm a little worried," Serena admitted.
"Come on, I'll be just fine," Ash said.
"I guess it's time to go," Trevor noted.
"Yeah, you're right. Though it's never easy to say goodbye," Clemont admitted.
"Serena, see you at the Pokémon Showcase," Shauna told her.
"Okay," Serena said.
"See you then," Bonnie added.
"Of course, we're all rivals now," Tierno added.
"For sure," Ash said.
"Later. Take care," Tierno said and the three started to leave.
"Now then, let's get going. Shalour City awaits," Alec said.