After participating in the Kalos League, Ash decides to go to the Nessada region with his friends. Along the way, they face some unexpected events which will change the life of some of them.
Ch.37: Ash vs Trip
"The Pokemon battle between Ash and Trip is about to begin," said the referee. "Each trainer will use six Pokemon and the battle will be over when all six Pokemon are unable to continue. Are the trainers ready?"
"Ready," said both Ash and Trip.
"Send out your first Pokemon," said the referee.
"Serperior, let's go," said Trip as he brought out his grass–type starter.
"This is your moment," said Ash as he made his first choice. "Servine, I choose you."
"Trip starts with his Serperior while Ash chooses his Servine," said Freddy. "It looks to me that the advantage belongs to Serperior. Your thoughts, Selena?"
"Serperior is the evolved form of Servine, but who knows," said Selena. "Ash and Servine might surprise us."
"Serperior, start with Dragon Pulse," said Trip.
"Servine, dodge it and use Leaf Blade," said Ash. Serperior fired its Dragon Pulse, but Servine managed to dodge it and landed a direct hit with Leaf Blade. "Now use Vine Whip."
"Serperior, counter with Aqua Tail," said Trip. Servine brought out her vines, but her Vine Whip was overpowered by Serperior's Aqua Tail and got hit by the water–type move. "Now use Dragon Pulse."
"Servine, dodge it and use Attract," said Ash. Serperior fired its Dragon Pulse, but Servine managed to avoid the attack and landed its Attract, making Serperior to fall in love. "Use Leaf Blade."
"Serperior, snap out of it," said Trip, but it was no use as Serperior got another direct hit by Leaf Blade.
"Servine, use Leaf Blade," said Ash. Servine landed another direct hit with Leaf Blade which sent Serperior crashing into the wall. "Use Vine Whip and wrap it around Serperior and give it a little spin." Servine brought out her vines and wrapped them around Serperior and started to spin its evolved form in the air.
"Now slam it and finish this with Leaf Storm."
Servine slammed Serperior on the ground hard and fired its Leaf Storm which struck Serperior, knocking it out.
"Serperior is unable to battle," announced the referee. "Servine is the winner."
"Ash's Servine manages to take out Trip's Serperior without much problems," said Freddy.
"Servine had complete dominance after landing its Attract," said Selena. "But this battle is just getting started so Ash and Trip might surprise us."
"Serperior, return," said Trip as he returned his starter Pokemon and made his next choice as he brought out his Jellicent.
"So he's using Jellicent," thought Ash. "Servine, return and take a rest. Gengar, I choose you."
"Trip sends out his Jellicent and Ash chooses his Gengar," said Selena. "This will be a battle between two ghost–type Pokemon."
"Gengar, use Energy Ball," said Ash.
"Jellicent, counter it with Ice Beam," said Trip. Gengar fired its Energy Ball, but Jellicent managed to counter it with Ice Beam. "Use Ominous Wind."
"Dodge it and use Sludge Bomb," said Ash. Jellicent fired its Ominous Wind, but Gengar suddenly disappeared and appeared behind Jellicent and landed its Sludge Bomb and the water/ghost–type, poisoning it. "Now use Energy Ball."
"Dodge it, Jellicent and use Hydro Pump," said Trip. Jellicent managed to avoid Gengar's Energy Ball and landed its Hydro Pump with a direct hit. "Now freeze it with Ice Beam."
"Gengar, counter it with Dazzling Gleam," said Ash. Jellicent fired its Ice Beam, but it was successfully countered by Gengar's Dazzling Gleam. "Let's try this oe more time. Use Energy Ball."
Gengar fired its Energy Ball which, this time, struck Jellicent, lowering its special defense.
"Jellicent, use Ominous Wind," said Trip.
Gengar, counter it with Dazzling Gleam," said Ash. Jellicent fired its Ominous Wind which was countered by Gengar's Dazzling Gleam. "Gengar, use Sludge Bomb."
"Jellicent, dodge it and use Energy Ball," said Trip.
"Gengar, use Sludge Bomb to counter," said Ash. Gengar fired its Sludge Bomb which Jellicent dodged and fired its Energy Ball which was countered by another Sludge Bomb by Gengar. "Let's finish this, Gengar. Use Shadow Ball full power."
"Jellicent, dodge it," said Trip. Jellicent tried to dodge, but Gengar's Shadow Ball was too fast and was struck by the super–effective move, knocking it out.
"Jellicent is unable to battle," announced the referee. "Gengar is the winner."
"What a battle," said Freddy. "Trip and Jellicent were in tough spot. First it was the poison from Sludge Bomb and then the lowered special defense from Energy Ball."
"Ghost–types are not very easy to train, but Ash and Gengar were in sync during the battle," said Selena. "I can tell those two had a plan to poison Jellicent and lower its special defense so they could finish it with a Shadow Ball."
"Jellicent, return," said Trip as he returned his water/ghost–type. "I can't believe that Ash's Pokemon are really that strong. Vanilluxe, let's go."
"I've got a counter for Vanilluxe," said Ash as he returned Gengar. "Hawlucha, I choose you."
"Looks like we've got another interesting battle," said Freddy. "Hawlucha is flying/fighting–type which means its both weak and strong against ice–types, like Vanilluxe."
"Vanilluxe, start with Flash Cannon," said Trip.
"Hawlucha, dodge it and use X–Scissor," said Ash. Vanilluxe fired its Flash Cannon, but Hawlucha managed to avoid it and landed its X–Scissor. "Now use High Jump Kick."
Vanilluxe, stop it with Water Pulse," said Trip.
"Hawlucha, send it back," said Ash. Hawlucha charged towards Vanilluxe with High Jump Kick, but Vanilluxe fired its Water Pulse which Hawlucha managed to send back with High Jump Kick and the Unova ice–type was hit by its own move.
"Vanilluxe, use Flash Cannon," said Trip.
"Go through it with High Jump Kick and then use Aerial Ace," said Ash. Vanilluxe fired its Flash Cannon and much to Trip's shock, Hawlucha managed to go through it with High Jump Kick and landed a direct hit with Aerial Ace. "Now use X–Scissor."
"Vanilluxe, use Freeze–Dry and then Sheer Cold," said Trip. Hawlucha charged towards Vanilluxe, but the ice–type Pokemon landed its Freeze–Dry and then fired its Sheer Cold which was going straight for Hawlucha.
"Hawlucha, dodge it and use Aerial Ace and then High Jump Kick," said Ash. Hawlucha managed to avoid Sheer Cold and landed its Aerial Ace and then scored a direct hit with High Jump Kick. "Let's finish this with Flying Press."
Hawlucha flew in the air and landed its Flying Press with full power on Vanilluxe, knocking it out.
"Vanilluxe is unable to battle," announced the referee. "Hawlucha is the winner."
"That was a quick win for Ash and Hawlucha," said Freddy. "Vanilluxe managed to land a powerful Freeze–Dry, but it turned out that this wasn't enough to defeat Hawlucha."
"Ash's Hawlucha is pretty fast and managed to deal some damage on Vanilluxe before finishing with a Flying Press," said Selena. "There are still no surprises from Ash and Trip in this battle. I wonder if they're saving the surprises for the last battle."
"You did your best, Vanilluxe," said Trip as he returned his fallen ice–type. "Chandelure, let's go."
"Hawlucha, return," said Ash as he returned his Kalos flying/fighting–type. "Time for your first official battle. Primarina, I choose you."
"What kind of Pokemon is that," asked Freddy as he saw Primarina.
"I've seen this Pokemon before," said Selena. "It's a Primarina."
In the stands, Ash's sister, friends and rivals were with wide eyes when they saw Ash's new team member.
"I've never heard of Primarina before," said Kaylin. "It looks so cute."
"I've known Ash for years, but he has never caught a Primarina," said Brock.
"Let's check it out," said Serena as she brought out her Pokedex.
"Primarina, the Soloist Pokemon and the evolved form of Brionne," said the Pokedex. "Primarina is a water/fairy–type. As it dances, Primarinareleases balloons of water into the area around itself, moving them using the sound waves from its voice. The sight of moonlight reflecting off its glittering balloons creates a magical scene. Since Primarinacontrols its balloons using its voice, any injury to its throat can become a grave problem. Its greatest enemies are arid environments and the overuse of its voice during back-to-back battles."
"Sounds like a pretty cool water–type," said Misty. "As a water–type trainer, it's my job to see how other trainers' water–types battle."
"Primarina is a fairy–type as well which makes it strong against dragon, dark and fighting–types," said Clemont.
"Chandelure, start with Shadow Ball," said Trip.
"Primarina, stop it with Psychic and use Moonblast," said Ash. Chandelure went for Shadow Ball, but Primarina managed to stop it with Psychic and landed its Moonbast, lowering Chandelure's special attack. "Use another Moonblast."
"Counter it with Flamethrower," said Trip. Primarina and Chandelure fired their attacks which collided in the middle of the field. "Use Shadow Ball and then Overheat."
"Primarina, counter Shadow Ball with Ice Beam then dodge Overheat and use Psychic," said Ash. Chandelure fired its Shadow Ball which was countered by Primarina's Ice Beam and its Overhead was avoided and was now covered in blue aura from Primarina's Psychic. "Primarina, let's finish this with Sparkling Aria." Primarina fired its signature water–type move which landed directly on Chandelure, knocking the fire/ghost–type out.
"Chandelure is unable to battle," announced the referee. "Primarina is the winner."
"What a victory by Ash and Primarina," said Freddy. "Those two completely dominated over Trip's Chandelure."
"I knew Primarina was strong, but not that strong," said Selena.
"Good job, Primarina," said Ash. "Return and take a rest."
"Chandelure, return," said Trip as he returned his fallen Pokemon. "Let's go, Unfezant."
"If he's using Unfezant, then I'll use this," said Ash as he brought out his fifth Pokemon, Garchomp. "Let's do this, Garchomp."
"Trip sends out his Unfezant and Ash chooses his Garchomp," said Freddy. "We've got an interesting match–up."
"Garchomp is a dragon/ground–type and Unfezant is a flying/normal–type," said Selena. "Unfezant has the the advantage, but let's see if Ash and Garchomp will surprise us."
"Unfezant, use Sky Attack," said Trip.
"Garchomp, dodge it and use Dragon Pulse," said Ash. Unfezant charged towards Garchomp, but the dragon/ground–type managed to avoid Sky Attack and landed its Dragon Pulse with full power. "Now use Iron Tail."
"Dodge it, Unfezant and use Hypnosis," said Trip.
"Garchomp, avoid it with Dig," said Ash. Garchomp charged towards Unfezant with Iron Tail, but the Unova flying/normal–type managed to avoid the attack and fired its Hypnosis which Garchomp dodged with Dig. "Garchomp, use Dragon Rush."
"Unfezant, use Sky Attack," said Trip. Before Unfezant could charge up Sky Attack, Garchomp came out of the ground and struck Unfezant with a powerful Dragon Rush. "Unfezant, use the moment and use Steel Wing."
Unfezant managed to recover from Dragon Rush and landed its Steel Wing on Garchomp with a direct hit.
"Garchomp, use Dragon Pulse," said Ash. Garchomp landed safely on the ground and fired its Dragon Pulse, but Unfezant managed to avoid the attack with Quick Attack.
"Unfezant, use your speed and use Sky Attack," said Trip. Unfezant charged towards Garchomp with Sky Attack with full speed, but Ash's next command took Trip and Unfezant by surprise.
"Garchomp, bite that Sky Attack," said Ash. Garchomp opened its mouth and managed to stop Unfezant's Sky Attack. "Let's finish this with Draco Meteor."
Garchomp formed an orange orb and fired it towards the sky, with Unfezant inside, and exploded in multiple meteors that came down crashing on the ground. After the last meteor crashed, Unfezant was lying on the ground unconscious.
"Unfezant is unable to battle," announced the referee. "Garchomp is the winner."
"Now that was some battle," said Freddy.
"Ash and Garchomp waited for the perfect moment for Unfezant to get closer so they could finish the battle with a powerful Draco Meteor," said Selena. "It turns out Garchomp has got a strong bite."
"I agree," said Freddy. "Ash and Garchomp showed what they can do."
"Unfezant, return and take a rest," said Trip as he returned his fallen Pokemon. "Time to get serious. Gallade, let's go."
"So he's using Gallade," said Ash as he returned his Garchomp and saw Gallade's Mega–Stone. "If Gallade can Mega–Evolve, then so will we. Heracross, I choose you."
"We've got another interesting match–up," said Freddy.
"Heracross is a bug/fighting–type and Gallade is a psychic/fighting–type," said Selena. "The advantage belongs to Gallade, but type match–ups mean nothing to Ash and his Pokemon."
"Gallade, use Psycho Cut," said Trip.
"Heracross, use Shadow Claw," said Ash. Gallade fired its Psycho Cut, but Heracross managed to counter it with Shadow Claw. "Now use Megahorn!"
"Gallade, dodge it," said Trip. Heracross charged towards Gallade with Megahorn, but the psychic/fighting–type managed to avoid the attack. "Use Drain Punch."
"Heracross, use Focus Punch," said Ash. Gallade charged towards Heracross with Drain Punch, but the bug/fighting–type managed to counter with Focus Punch, creating an explosion when the attacks collided which sent both Pokemon flying backwards, but managed to land on their feet.
"Gallade, use Psycho Cut," said Trip.
"Heracross, use Bullet Seed," said Ash. Both Pokemon fired their attacks which collided in the middle of the field, creating another explosion. "They are stronger then they look. Heracross, let's take it to another level. Mega–Evolve."
"Gallade, let's show them what we can do," said Trip as he Mega–Evolved his Gallade.
"Ash and Trip are not holding back," said Freddy.
"One of these trainers will battle Tobias in the finals," said Selena. "The real battle between Heracross and Gallade starts now."
"Gallade, use Dual Chop," said Trip.
"Heracross, counter it with Shadow Claw back–to–back," said Ash. Heracross and Gallade charged towards each other and began to exchange multiple Shadow Claws and Dual Chops, but after a while, Heracross and Gallade landed their attacks on the opponent at the same time, sending both Pokemon flying backwards.
"Gallade, use Psycho Cut," said Trip.
"Heracross, counter with Bullet Seed and then use Megahorn," said Ash. Gallade fired its Psycho Cut, but Heracross managed to counter it and then landed its powerful Megahorn with a direct hit. "Now use Bullet Seed."
"Gallade, counter with Dual Chop," said Trip. Heracross fire its Bullet Seed, but it was countered by Gallade's Dual Chop. "Now use Drain Punch."
"Heracross, stop it with Focus Punch," said Ash. Gallade charged towards Heracross with Drain Punch, but the Mega–Evolved bug/fighting–type managed to stop it. "Now use Shadow Claw and then finish it with Focus Punch full power!"
Heracross landed a direct hit with Shadow Claw, sending Mega–Gallade flying backwards and then landed a final Focus Punch which was enough to knock Gallade out.
"Gallade is unable to battle," announced the referee. "Heracross is the winner. The victory goes to Ash from Pallet Town."
"And there you have it," said Freddy on the microphone. "After a hard battle, Ash and Heracross are victorious against Trip and Gallade."
"You know what that means," said Selena. "Ash will battle Tobias in a one–on–one battle in the final round."
"To give Ash and Tobias a little rest, the final round will be in two days," said Freddy.
On the battlefield, Ash and Heracross celebrated their victory while Trip stood in one place, shocked by the loss and returned his Gallade, leaving the stadium without a word.
Later that night, everyone was relaxing at the Pokemon Center when Ash saw noe other than Tobias and walked up to him.
"Hey, Tobias," greeted Ash.
"Hello, Ash," said Tobias. "That was a great battle. But this is the end of the line. I hope you're prepared for our match."
"You bet I am," said Ash. "And this time, I'm going to win."
"We'll see about that," laughed Tobias as he walked away, but turned to face Ash. "I'll see you at the battlefield in two days. Good luck. You're going to need it."
After Tobias left the Pokemon Center, Serena went up to see how Ash was.
"Are you OK," asked Serena.
"Yeah," answered Ash. "I'm just excited. Tobias might've beaten me at the Sinnoh League, but I'm going to beat him in finals."
"He's got very powerful Legendary Pokemon," said Serena.
"Yeah, but we've got Bond Phenomenon," said Ash.
"So you'll be using Greninja," asked Serena.
"You bet," answered Ash. "Greninja deserves to be this match. It's true that Pikachu, Charizard and Sceptile have also defeated Legendary Pokemon, but I think Greninja is the only one who can beat Tobias' Mega–Latios."
"Ash, be careful out there," said Serena with concern. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"Don't worry, Serena," said Ash. "Me and Greninja will defeat them before they even get the chance to attack. Come on, let's get back to the others."
(Later in the evening)
Everyone was in their respective rooms, sleeping except for Ash who couldn't fall "Pika pika," said Pikachu as he jumped on Ash's shoulder.
"Hey, Pikachu," said Ash as he petted his starter. "Can you believe it? We're facing Tobias in the finals. Look, I know you want to battle, but I thought very well about the battle and I chose to use Greninja. You're not mad, right?"
"Pika pika pikachu," said Pikachu as he shook his head, confirming that he understands Ash's choice.
"You know, I have the feeling that something unexpected will happen," said Ash.
"Pika," asked Pikachu with concern.
"I don't know, buddy," said Ash. "I feel like we'll see someone who we haven't seen for a long time. But let's not worry about that now. We've got a tournament to win.
To be continued…
That's all for this chapter. Ash defeats Trip and will face Tobias in the finals. Stay tuned to find out who is this someone who will visit Ash and his friends. I'll see you all next time.
R&R