"Perfect!" Ash said going into the arena.
"I was going to apologize for the battlefield's current state, but I guess that isn't an issue." Honey said.
"Are you sure you're all good for this?" Serena asked.
"I don't think I have enough for the whole battle, but if my plans work, I shouldn't need any aura to counteract Honey's." Ash said calmly.
"Well then." Mustard said. "Let the full battle rematch between Ash and Honey begin!"
"Blissey, let's see what they've got." Honey said.
"Lycanroc, I choose you!" Ash called out.
"Blissey use Fire Blast."
"Lycanroc use Accelerock!"
Like the Pokémon before him, Lycanroc was unable to perform his attack stopping to a calm walk, before being blasted back by the Fire Blast.
"Please work." Ash prayed, as Lycanroc dug out of the dirt. Looking at his dirtied fur, his eyes turning red, and a sudden surge of will to battle appearing.
"Alright, Lycanroc use Accelerock!"
Lycanroc sped forward, striking into Blissey, sending the Pokémon tumbling back.
"He hit Blissey! Without using his powers, how?" Hyde asked in shock.
"My Lycanroc is special, it's the one of a kind Dusk Form, but that's not what caused it. He's very proud of his fur, so when it gets dirty, he goes into an almost uncontrollable rage." Ash smirked. "Which is just what I was hoping for."
"Blissey use Blizzard." Honey called out.
"Lycanroc use Bite!"
Ash's second guess was quickly proven correct, Honey wasn't experienced in fighting moving targets. While he respected her choice to not use her abilities to go pro, they were still good practice for getting around his own powers and the crutches they came with.
"Blissey use Thunder."
"Lycanroc use Stone Edge!"
The torn battlefield became ravaged from the storm above and below, but Blissey's lack of experience was her downfall and ultimate defeat.
"Blissey return." Honey called out. "I'm impressed not many trainers have managed to defeat Blissey, much less in that few of moves."
"You'd be surprised at what I'm capable of." Ash said as he pulled out a Pokeball. "You did great Lycanroc, but let's not push it. Infernape, you're up!"
Honey held the Pokeball she had grabbed already. An interesting choice, she could stick with her decision and hope Ash's trick wouldn't work twice, or choose someone else on the chance it did. "Darmanitan come on out!"
"Woah that's a new one." Goh said hopping onto a stand. "So what'd I miss?"
"Ash beat Blissey, and he maybe has a plan for Infernape." Serena said. "I just hope he knows what he's doing."
"Knowing Ash, the safe bet is he doesn't." Misty commented. "But that's what makes him Ash, he tries a bit of everything to see what works. He once switched out Pikachu for Totodile because we thought Furret was a ground type."
"Infernape use Flare Blitz!"
"Darmanitan use Icicle Crash!"
Lights sparks of flame appeared around Infernape, but nothing stuck as he was hit by the Ice, his body slowly encasing in ice.
"I'm sorry Infernape." Ash said. "But I need you to get hurt for you to be able to fight." Ash said, holding himself back from returning his Pokémon already.
"Darmanitan use Stone Edge."
Serena covered her eyes as Infernape stood helplessly frozen, the ice being torn apart by the stones, his body being thrown into the air.
"Now use Zen Headbutt."
As Darmanitan struck Infernape a third time, the fire monkeys body went from limp, to full attention, the flames glowing brightly.
"I'm sorry." Ash mouthed to his Infernape. "Use Flamethrower!"
A mix of purple, yellow, orange and red flames shot at the Darmanitan, pushing it to the ground as Infernape was going higher into the air.
"Now use Mach Punch!"
"Use Icicle Crash!"
Infernape spun past the falling ice, landing a direct hit on Darmanitan.
"Use Flamethrower again!"
"Use Stone Edge!"
Flames scorched the rocks as it surrounded Darmanitan's body, dealing substantial damage.
"Now use Flare Blitz!"
"Use Zen Headbutt!"
The Pokémon charged at each other, but it was no use as Darmanitan was quickly defeated.
"A new strategy at every turn, I'm impressed." Honey said returning her Darmanitan.
"Okay Infernape, just stay calm." Ash said already on his plan to undo what was going on.
"Ash, is everything okay?" Honey said taking a step forward.
"Just stay where you are, I hate doing this to Infernape, his old trainer felt it was the only way to win, by activating Blaze." Ash said grabbing a Full Restore. "I told all my Pokémon my plan before this, none of them would be here if they didn't agree to it, but that doesn't make what I did any better, so I'm trying to keep the pain to a minimum." Ash said as he finally had approached Infernape. "Now this is going to sting, just stay calm." Ash said, spraying the medicine. Moments passed and finally the flames calmed down. "Thanks for everything Infernape, you deserve a long rest." Ash said, returning the Pokémon to its Pokeball. "Now, where were we?"
"I believe we are onto the third match." Honey said. "Is this your plan for all six?"
"No, this ones a little different." Ash said lightly tossing the Pokeball into the air. "Ready whenever you are."
"Gallade I choose you!"
"Greninja come on out!"
"So what's the plan with Greninja, does it have the water variation of Blaze like other water starters?" Misty asked.
"Not quite, this Greninja like Lycanroc is unique." Serena said.
"Alright Greninja, let's show everyone what a bond forged by battling can do!" Ash said excitedly.
Greninja's form changed, as a large water shuriken appeared on his back.
"Meet Ash-Greninja!" Ash said.
"This battle just is full of surprises." Hyde said.
"Gallade use Swords Dance."
"Greninja use Double Team!"
Gallade began moving in time, as a group of six Greninja began running towards him.
"Gallade use Leaf Blade."
"Greninja use Water Shuriken!"
Gallade managed to dispel a few of the close Greninja, but the overall attack still made it through.
"Gallade use Psycho Cut."
"Greninja use Night Slash!"
The four remaining Greninja leapt forward, absorbing the attack before striking Gallade.
"Gallade use Throat Chop."
"Greninja use Cut!"
Gallade chopped away all four Greninja without one of them landing a hit.
"Wait, where's the last one?" Honey asked in confusion. As if on cue, Greninja leapt from behind some rocks, slicing through Gallade.
"Gallade use Leaf Blade."
"Greninja use Cut!"
insert epic lightsaber battle between the two Pokémon that I don't have the budget to write or animate*
Greninja leapt from rock to rock, avoiding Gallade's attack, before finally getting an opening and striking Gallade down.
"Gah!" Ash cried out, as the synchronization was broken and he fell down.
"Ash!" Serena called out.
"I'm fine, just, I just need a second." Ash said, catching his breath. He hated to admit it, but the soup didn't do as much as they had hoped for him, but he wasn't about to say it. On top of that Battle Bond had always been risky with him sharing the damage with Greninja.
"Greninja, return." Ash huffed.
"Gallade, come back. Ash, you don't have to do this if you can't." Honey said.
"No, I'm good, but let's do something a bit easier on my health this match. If I'm correct, you have the Venusaur to Leon's Charizard, and Raihan's Blastoise, am I right?" Ash said smirking.
"Wow, how'd he figure that out?" Hyde asked out loud.
"When Raihan said he and Leon got them from the 'Master', I thought he meant Mustard, but I'm pretty sure he was talking about you." Ash said.
"Tough, full of surprises, and smart. You remind me of Mustard." Honey said grabbing a Pokeball. "Alright, I'll give you Venusaur, let's see what you've got for her."
"Heracross! I choose you!" Ash called out.
As Heracross popped out of its Pokeball, it could smell the sweet nectar coming from Venusaur, and began flying straight forward. Taking a few sips before Venusaur shook him off.
"Is that your plan, drink Venusaur into submission?" Honey joked.
"No, but I figured maybe a full stomach but a hungry mind will be enough for Heracross, and if not I have a move up my sleeve.
"Venusaur use Sludge Bomb."
"Heracross use MegaHorn!"
Heracross flew across the arena at an incredible speed, launching Venusaur into the air with a mighty flip.
"Now use Horn Attack!"
"Use Energy Ball."
Venusaur spun around, sending an energy ball straight at Heracross who quickly moved out of the way before striking Venusaur in the head.
"Venusaur, let's show them how you are truly the third to Leon and Raihan." Honey said momentarily recalling her Pokémon. "It's time to Gigantamax!"
"Heracross, get ready!" Ash said.
"Venusaur use GMax Vine Lash."
"Heracross into the air!"
Vines shot out of the ground, chasing after Heracross as he flew higher and higher into the air.
"Heracross use Mega Horn, aim for underneath Venusaur!"
"Venusaur use Max Ooze!"
Heracross shot down towards the ground, keeping just above the bubbling ooze and sprouting vines, the larger group of them just behind him.
"Now fly up!" Ash called out.
Heracross had flown right under Venusaur and back up behind him, and the vines followed, flipping the user into the air, and into its own ooze.
"Venusaur return." Honey called out.
"Heracross come on back." Ash said as he saw his Pokémon begin to relax.
"Whats happened so far?" Chloe asked as she joined the others.
"Ash is winning, but him and his Pokémon are running out of energy." Misty said.
"It's down to the final two rounds." Goh added.
"We wouldn't be in this situation if you hadn't taken the bar from him." Serena pointed out.
"For the umpteenth time I'm sorry." Chloe said.
"So you're saying he found a way around the immovable object?" Seb said.
"Seb, hi. What are you doing here?" Serena said happily.
"You got to spend time with Ash, Goh had time with Marnie, why can't I get time with Seb?" Chloe asked.
"Fair enough." Serena said.
"Salazzle come on out."
"Kommo-o I choose you!"
"Wooh Kommo-o!" Goh shouted.
"He wouldn't." Chloe said in realization.
"I think he is." Seb said in shock.
"Kommo-o use Boomburst!" Ash called out. Without Clangorous Soul calming him down Kommo-o's natural rage was enough to send out the attack.
"Salazzle use Dragon Pulse."
Salazzle's attack pushed through the Boomburst, but surprising only half of the watchers Kommo-o rushed through the Dragon Pulse towards Salazzle.
"Is he in control?" Goh asked.
"Or is Ash just letting what happens happen?" Serena wondered.
"Kommo-o use Clanging Scales!"
"Salazzle use Toxic!"
The toxic poison bounced off the vibrating scales, shooting back at Salazzle.
"Now use Close Combat!"
"Salazzle use Protect."
Kommo-o pounded at the shield, over and over again in the effort to break through it.
"Kommo-o use Boomburst!"
"Salazzle get out of there!"
Kommo-o suddenly switched from punching to letting out a ferocious roar, sending Salazzle tumbling back defeated.
"Now use Clangorous Soul!"
Releasing the energy, Kommo-o managed to calm down before curling up at the side of the stadium.
"He really did it. Kommo-o is under his control." Goh said in amazement.
"You did the right thing giving it to Ash." Chloe said elbowing him softly.
"Pikachu, I'm sorry I pushed you so far last time, but I don't know if I have enough left in me to give you enough of a boost to counteract her abilities." Ash apologized.
"I just realized something!" Chloe exclaimed, running back into the dojo.
"Are you ready Ash?" Honey said grabbing her last Pokeball.
"Ready as I can be." Ash said adjusting Pikachu's collar.
"Togekiss come on out and use Heat Wave."
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu was moving but not fast enough, the attack was catching up with him.
"Pikachu jump out of the way with Iron Tail!"
Pikachu wasn't able to build enough energy to bounce out of the way, falling back into the ground taking the entirety of the attack.
"Togekiss use Air Slash."
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash cried out as Togekiss was closing in.
Pikachu was launched back into Ash as they fell to the ground.
"We gave it our all, and in the end, I guess we did pretty good." Ash said.
"It's not the end yet!" Chloe yelled rushing back in. "I never had the second half, I forgot about it until now."
Ash looked at the resealed bar, there was no guarantee it would be enough to win, but it was worth a shot. Breaking it in half, he gave part to Pikachu.
"Alright Pikachu, let's do this." Ash said downing his piece.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
"Togekiss use Heat Wave."
Pikachu picked up speed, his eyes faintly glowing blue, before launching into Togekiss.
"Now use Double Iron Tail!"
"Togekiss use Aura Sphere."
At the close range, Togekiss wasn't able to get a shot as Pikachu launched it into the ground.
"Let's finish this! Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
A bolt of lightning shot through Pikachu down onto Togekiss, causing debris to fly everywhere. When the dust had settled, Togekiss had been defeated.
"We did it Pikachu!" Ash joyously exclaimed.
"They did it…". Seb said realizing how impressive that was.
Later that evening
"Are you sure you aren't coming Misty?" Ash asked.
"Nah, my sisters have been able to have this long of a vacation, I can take some time away from the gym, and I plan on enjoying it." Misty said. "I'll stop by when I'm back in Kanto though."
"See you then." Ash said, getting into the cab.
"So you beat the masters of the dojo, what's next?" Goh asked.
"For now, some sleep." Ash said yawning.
As the Corvinight Cab took off, a Pokémon looked at it. The human was on there, and he knew his place was with them. Urshifu began running across the water to meet up with that human again.