"Alright guys, I'm counting on you two for today's match against Marshal." Ash said to Hawlucha and Pikachu. "Now here eat up, it's a big day for all of us."
"Is that what you're wearing to fight a member of our elite four?" Iris questioned.
Ash was wearing a pair of black leggings, and a white tee shirt that draped over him, with a pair of booties with a small heel.
"I fought Caitlin in a maids outfit, and Shauntal and Grimsley in my school uniform. Honestly this is the most comfortable outfit I've worn for fighting one of them." Ash said, standing back up.
"A gourmet dish on a paper plate can be terrible simply by presentation." Cilan said calmly.
"Guys, thanks for your concern, but I promise I'll do just fine." Ash said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some breakfast for myself."
Later in the same cave as yesterday
"Okay, I'm all fired up!" Ash said. "Where's Marshal, I'm ready to win this!"
"Easy Ash. He won't be here for a bit. Do you have a strategy?" Iris said trying to calm him down.
"Throh is his Ace, which means he'll likely use it second, which is when I'll switch in Hawlucha. Pikachu will be able to take care of his first no problem." Ash said.
"Don't be so sure about that." Marshal said, walking forward. "I've got a special rule set for today's battle."
"Special how?" Cilan asked.
'Today's Super Rank match between Ash and Marshal will be a double battle. The battle will be over when neither Pokémon on one side is able to battle.' The Rotojudge announced.
"A double battle, huh. This'll be fun." Ash said with a smile.
"That's what I like to hear." Marshal said. "Shall we begin."
Back in Kanto
"Guys! Ash's match just started!" Chloe called out to Goh and Serena.
"Hawlucha! Pikachu! I choose you!"
"Sawk! Throh! Take a stance!"
"Pikachu get Sawk's attention with Quick Attack! Hawlucha use Karate Chop!"
"Sawk use Low Sweep! Throh use Wide Guard!"
Pikachu tumbled over Sawk's leg as Hawlucha began to mercilessly go at Throh's shield.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt! Hawlucha use Hone Claws!"
"Sawk use Poison Jab! Throh use Rock Slide.
Pikachu took an offensive stance releasing a massive bolt of electricity while narrowly dodging the attacks, as Hawlucha jumped back.
"What is Ash doing?" Goh asked leaning forward.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail! Hawlucha use Flying Press, just like we practiced!"
"Sawk use Bluk Up! Throh use Wide Guard!"
Pikachu and Hawlucha charged forward, both striking their intended opponents. While Marshal's Pokémon were prepared for the attack, Hawlucha launching into the air was an unexpected surprise.
"Just like a hidden spice, Hawlucha using a move in reverse has made the battle completely different!" Cilan exclaimed.
"Pikachu use Quick Attack! Hawlucha use Sky Attack!"
"Hawlucha knows Sky Attack!" Serena exclaimed, startling both Goh and Chloe.
"Sawk, Throh, use Close Combat!"
As Pikachu charged at the fighting types, they teamed up against the yellow mouse, knocking him out of the arena.
'Pikachu is unable to battle.' The Rotojudge announced.
"Please work." Ash said, looking at Hawlucha's glowing form. A burst of energy released from the fighting type, striking Sawk, and leaving a scorch mark in the ground.
'Sawk is unable to battle.' The Rotojudge announced.
"Like I said, me and Hawlucha against you and Throh." Ash said confidently.
"If I remember correctly, it didn't go that well last time." Marshal rememinded.
"This time is different, this time I'm prepared." Ash said. "At least kind of. I thought I'd have more time before this matchup. If you just give me a minute." Ash said lifting his right leg up behind him, and then his left a minute later. "Alright, let's do this!" Ash said, tossing his shoes to the side. His bare feet on the cavern floor.
"Throh use Close Combat!"
"Hawlucha use Karate Chop!"
While Hawlucha couldn't match Throh's size, his attacks were far quicker than the larger fighting type.
"Throh back off and use Rock Slide!"
"Hawlucha use Hone Claws, and Karate Chop!" Ash commanded.
Hawlucha began blasting rock after rock, as the attack finally stopped to most eyes.
"Hawlucha quick, use Flying Press!" Ash said as a Boulder fell from the darkness right where Hawlucha was.
"Impressive, how'd you know there was one left?" Marshall asked.
"I figured there had to be a reason so many fighting type experts fought barefoot. Bruno, Chuck, Maylene, you, even Bea. While it's traditional for normal fighting matches, we aren't the ones battling." Ash said. "I could feel it, that there was one more vibration than there was a boulder. Now let's finish this!"
"I couldn't agree more. Throh use Circle Throw!"
"Hawlucha use Flying Press!"
As Hawlucha was grappled, he kicked off against Throh, pushing them both to opposite sides of the arena.
"Now Hawlucha use Karate Chop!"
"Throh use Wide Guard!"
Hawlucha struck the barrier, again and again, pushing it to its limit, as it finally dissipated, and he landed a hit on Throh.
'Throh is unable to battle, the winner is Ash.' The Rotojudge declared.
'clap clap clap'
"Well done Ash, but I wouldn't expect anything less at this point." A young boys voice echoed through the cavern. "You've beaten my elite four, but now you face me, Unova's champion! Benga!"
"You're the champion? You can't be much older than ten." Ash said in shock. While he wasn't much older than that when he became champion, there wasn't someone holding that title before him.
"And you're just a teenager, and definitely a ten." Benga said with a wink.
"You're related to Alder aren't you." Ash deadpanned.
"What!? How'd you know?" Benga said.
"The hair, the dress style, and the attitude. It all screams Alder." Ash said, stifling a laugh.
Iris meanwhile was turning purple, holding back the laughs at the fact that Benga was trying to hit on a guy seven years older than him, and that Ash was that convincing at this point.
"Well I hate to inform you, I'm taken." Ash said.
"That's right you are!" Serena shouted at the monitor.
"But how about we still have that battle." Ash said.
"Your challenge is accepted." Benga said, regaining his composure.