"One last fight, Pikachu, I promise." Ash said. He had actually gotten invited to partake in this battle, rather than how it had been lately. Scott had condensed the Sinnoh Battle Frontier, allowing all kinds of trainers to partake in the activities, and he wanted a big match to start it off. Looking down at his phone, the portrait of his opponent, Flint.
"Been a while, huh Ash?" Flint said, surprising Ash.
"Flint! I thought you would've been at the island already." Ash said.
"I was supposed to, but Volkner had an issue so I stopped by to help him, and whenever the two of us are together, things just get chaotic." Flint said. "Where are your friends by the way, you seemed happy traveling with a group last time."
"They're back in Kanto. I needed some time apart from them." Ash admitted.
"Everything okay?" Flint asked, leaning against the railing. "I'm happy to listen."
"I know some things. Dark things, things that if they knew, it might break their confidence." Ash said.
"I may not be able to relate, but back when I tried out for the Elite Four, Volkner also tried out. I found out I got the opening way earlier than I was supposed to, a case of being in the wrong place at the right time. I kept quiet about it, worried that he'd take it poorly. When I finally told him, he was happy for me, and understood why I hadn't said it earlier." Flint admitted. "I'm sure if you explain to your friends why you didn't tell them sooner, they won't be as hurt."
"You think so?" Ash asked.
"Not a clue, but if it drove you this far from them, it might be worth a shot." Flint said.
"Thanks." Ash said, lifting himself onto the railing.
"I think I just learned something though." Flint said. "This railing can't support the both of us."
A bit later
"Not exactly how I planned on spending today." Ash said, wringing out his hair. He now had on some boots with a small heel, jean shorts that hugged his legs, and a v neck t-shirt, with a light jacket on top.
"Yeah, not our finest moment." Flint said. "Good news is, we're almost at port."
At port
"Ash, Flint, it's good to see you two." Scott said happily walking up to them. "Now before your match, we do have a ribbon cutting ceremony, and you two need to be there for the photo. I want everyone in the world to know who was here today."
"Everyone!" Ash said in shock.
"Ash, if someone didn't know about this, I'd be failing as a businessman, I have thirty newspapers here covering this story, you would have to be stuck in the middle of nowhere to miss out on this scoop." Scott said excitedly.
After a series of photographs, questions, and autographs, it was time.
'Attention everyone! The Super rank match between Flint and Ash will now commence. This will be a three on three match, the winner will be decided when one trainer is out of Pokémon able to battle. Trainers at your ready.' The Rotojudge announced.
"Ready." Flint said confidently.
"Ready." Ash said.
'Then let the battle begin!' The Rotojudge declared.
"Rapidash I choose you!"
"Come on out Buizel!"
"Rapidash use Sunny Day!"
"Buizel use Aqua Jet!"
With the heat pouring on, Buizel's attack was less than impressive in terms of size, barely covering the otter in water.
"Now Rapidash use Solar Beam!"
"Buizel use Sonic Boom!"
Buizel launched an attack, while jumping back to avoid the Solar Beam.
"Buizel use Ice Aqua Jet!"
"Rapidash use Bounce!"
This time the Aqua Jet was able to stay a bit larger, but Rapidash was too quick, easily jumping out of the way.
"Buizel hit it with a Water Gun!"
Buizel shot a stream of water into the sky as Rapidash came crashing back down on him.
"Now Rapidash use Solar Beam!"
At the close range, Buizel couldn't even dodge out of the way, being knocked out on the spot.
"Buizel return." Ash said. "You wanna fight fast, alright then. Pikachu, you're up!"
"Rapidash use Flare Blitz!"
"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"
It quickly became a game of chase, with Pikachu barely keeping ahead of Rapidash.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
"Rapidash use Bounce!"
Rapidash leapt over Pikachu high into the air, easily vaulting over the Thunderbolt.
"One, two. Pikachu us Discharge!"
As Rapidash came speeding towards the ground, it passed through a large field of electricity, only for the field to stop abruptly.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried out. His tail pinned underneath Rapidash.
"Pikachu use Iron Tail!"
"Rapidash use Solar Beam!"
A light shot out, engulfing the battle, when it clear d, Pikachu's body lied limp on the ground.
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted, running to his partner.
"Ash, you okay?" Scott asked.
"Yeah, but now I'm determined to win." Ash said, lifting up Pikachu.
"Ash, you've made impressive comebacks, but you've barely landed a hit all battle, what's your plan?"
"Fighting Fire with Fire." Ash said, swimming his hand over a Pokeball. "Infernape, it's time."
"Rapidash use Bounce!"
"Infernape use Flamethrower!"
Higher and higher Rapidash went, unlike its last two opponents, this ones attack was still following.
"Be ready." Ash warned, in the distance, he could see Rapidash charging back down the flame pillar towards Infernape. "Use Mach Punch!"
The sudden stopping of flames, made Rapidash loose balance, tumbling right into Infernape's waiting fist.
"Now we're getting fired up!" Flint said happily. "Rapidash come on back, you did great. Magmortar, you're up!"
"Infernape use Mach Punch!"
"Magmortar use Thunderbolt!"
Infernape sped around the blast, striking Magmortar from the side, as he and Ash felt a slight spark. Ash could tell, they were in sync, he had finally aura linked with Infernape!
"Magmortar use Hyper Beam!"
"Infernape use Dig!"
Infernape narrowly dodged underground as the Hyper Beam passed by.
"Infernape now!" Ash shouted.
Infernape launched out from behind Magmortar, slapping it with his tail.
"Infernape use Flamethrower!"
"Magmortar you use your flamethrower!"
The streams of fire collided in the center of the field, both equally matched. However Magmortar still relying heavily on the intense sunlight, as it faded so did his flames, quickly being overpowered by Infernapes.
"Infernape use Mach Punch!"
Infernape quickly launched forward, bringing the match to a one on one battle.
"Fierce comeback, but last time we faced, you lost." Flint said. "And I intend to keep that record. Infernape I choose you!"
"Infernape use Flare Blitz!" Flint called out.
"Infernape use Dig!" Ash countered.
Flint's Infernape dove into the hole after Ash's, both disappearing underground.
The crowd waited anxiously for an Infernape to resurface. Finally one was shot out of the ground into the air, as the other leapt out after it, the surface of the arena cracking apart as a large underground tunnel was revealed, many scorch marks in the visible area.
"Wait, whose one?" One bystander asked.
'Infernape is unable to battle, the winner is Ash and Infernape.' The Rotojudge declared.
"What is this down here?" Ash asked looking into the hole.
"The Sinnoh Underground. I had no idea the mines went this far out." Flint said in surprise. "Well, a win is a win, even if I didn't see it."
"I didn't see it either, next time, let's avoid mine shafts." Ash said with a laugh.
The next day
A pair of delicate, manicured hands picked up a newspaper.
"Big news, I hear that Ash kid is on a winning streak." The newspaper stand attendant said. "You a fan of his?"
"Something like that." Darkrai said through gritted teeth. Once she was far enough out, Darkrai tore the newspaper to shreds. "What is it going to take for you to finally stay dead!" Straightening herself back out, Darkrai regained her composure. "No matter, I suppose it's time for a rematch, if you survived the tundra, that can only mean all five are awake now." Darkrai said walking into the shadows, a shred of paper with Ash's face on it falling to the ground.