Chapter 101: The Final Showdown Part 2

Kukui laughed, tossing his trashed mask aside.

"Surprise!"

"What a twist! Alola's own renowned professor is The Masked Royal! Oh, how the plot thickens!"

Up in the stands, Professor Burnett could only babble in shock.

"My husband...Masked Royal, and..."

"Um, Burnett? Are you feeling okay?"

"Take Lei."

Acerola took the baby, just in time for Burnett to slump over in her seat, much to Molayne's shock.

"Is she going to be okay?!"

"Oh yeah, she'll be fine! Come on, let's get back to the battle!"

After getting over the shock, Ash returned his focus to the battle. Snorlax was still going strong, but Pikachu was starting to wear down. Knowing he might need him, later, he made the tough call.

"Pikachu, return!"

Pikachu complied, running up Ash's arm back to his shoulder while Ash brought out his next Pokemon.

"You did good, buddy. Get some rest, I'll need you later. Go, Salamence!"

Kukui quirked an eyebrow at Ash's choice.

"Salamence, huh?"

"Hey, drastic times call for drastic measures."

"Oh, have I put you into a corner already?"

"Shut up, you know what I meant!"

"Attention, trainers. If neither of you declare an attack in the next minute, both of you will be disqualified."

This snapped the two out of their mini argument, and both returned their attention to their Pokemon.

"Alright Salamence, Let's go for Dragon Breath!"

"Rest, Snorlax!"

Snorlax plopped down on the ground, going to sleep as the attack struck him. Ash grunted in annoyance. If it hadn't been for that, he might've knocked Snorlax out.

"Don't give up, Salamence! Use Dragon Claw!"

"Snore, Snorlax!"

Snorlax opened his mouth, letting loose an ear splitting roar that almost knocked Salamence off course, but he managed to right himself and land his attack, sending the heavy Pokemon flying. Surprisingly, Snorlax still remained asleep.

"Dragon Tail!"

"Sleep Talk!"

Snorlax shifted in his sleep, meeting Salamence's Dragon Tail with a Hammer Arm, only to be flung away as he hit the ground hard enough to wake him up.

"Finish him off with Dragon Pulse!"

"Metronome!"

As the energy attack got closer, Snorlax began waving his fingers, his mind racing through a list of potential moves he could use as everyone watched in anticipation...

Only for Snorlax to flop down on the floor and begin flailing about, having selected Splash as everyone laughed at the ridiculous display. Needless to say, Salamence's attack hit and Snorlax was down for the count.

"Snorlax is unable to battle! The round goes to Salamence!"

"Metronome, really? Now who's in a corner?"

"Oh, give me a break!"

Making his next choice carefully, Kukui grinned as he took out his next Pokeball.

"This ought to teach you a lesson. Go, Primarina!"

The elegant water type floated down onto the arena with a proud flourish, winking at Salamence, making the strong dragon blush, much to Ash's embarrassment.

"Primarina vs Salamence, begin!"

"Steel Wing!"

"Disarming Voice!"

Salamence powered through the enchanting melody, striking the performer right across the face, but she quickly recovered with a Water Gun, which barely fazed the dragon type.

"Iron Tail!"

"Moonblast!"

The two attacks landed head on, sending both of them flying apart and struggling to catch their breath.

"Finish him with a Draining Kiss, Primarina!"

"Keep her back with Hurricane!"

Salamence tried, but Primarina moved with the speed of a man possessed, jumping so high she had her arms around him in seconds. Reaching out, she pulled him into a big, sloppy kiss, Salamence flailing about in an attempt to break free. At last, she let go, letting him fall down to the ground unconscious.

"Salamence is unable to battle! The round goes to Primarina!"

Ash returned the dragon type, a bead of sweat running down his face. This would be harder than he thought.

"Good job, Salamence. You get some rest. Go, Toucannon!"

"Toucannon vs Primarina, begin!"

"Bullet Seed!"

"Sparkling Aria!"

Primarina acted quickly, forming a great bubble to protect her. It didn't last long though, as the barrage of seeds quickly broke through it, hitting her and sending her flying into a wall, though she quickly recovered.

"Get in close and hit her with a Steel Wing!"

"Blast him back with Hydro Pump!"

Toucannon swooped down low, expertly dodging each of the blasts of water before swiping her across the face, knocking her back while she tried to regain composure.

"Grab him while he's close and use Draining Kiss!"

Recovering, Primarina grabbed Toucannon and went in for the kill when...

"Use Flash Cannon!"

Primarina opened her eyes in shock just in time to be blasted by Toucannon's energy beam, sending her flying upward before crashing down in the arena hard. She let out a fain "rina" before passing out, too exhausted to get back up.

"Primarina is unable to battle! The round goes to Toucannon!"

Ash grinned, giving his Pokemon a thumbs up before turning to Kukui.

"You're doing good Kukui. I'm having a blast!"

"As am I, but don't count me and my Pokemon out yet. Go, Lucario!"

Ash raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Why go for Lucario? His Lycanroc would've had the advantage over Toucannon. As it was, he was giving Ash the edge, or so he thought...

"Alright Lucario, no more fooling around. Time to Mega Evolve!"

Everyone gasped in astonishment as Lucario was bathed in a blinding light, changing into his Mega Evolved form. Ash groaned, this just got a whole lot tougher.

"Yeah, well if you think that scares me, then think again!"

"Glad to hear it!"

"Toucannon vs Lucario, begin!"

"Alright Toucannon, go for an Aerial Ace!"

"Aura Sphere!"

Toucannon narrowly avoided the sphere, the attack grazing his wing as he flew up to right himself, before flying down to strike Lucario before flying back to Ash's side of the field.

"Hit him with a Beak Blast!"

"Focus Punch!"

The two Pokemon charged, beak and fist clashing as the two battled for dominance. Eventually, Lucario dealt a swift punch to Trumbeak's chin, sending the flying type up into the air. Ash could tell that Toucannon was starting to wear out, and he needed to finish this fast.

"Sky Attack, Toucannon!"

"Thunder Punch!"

Righting itself, Toucannon becan his rapid descent, building up momentm as he approached Lucario. Lucario, sweat running down his face, readied electricity in his fist before ramming it right into Toucannon, creating a brilliant display of energy that erupted into a small explosion. When the dust had settled, Lucario was panting heavily but still awake, while Toucannon was on the ground out cold.

"Toucannon is unable to battle! The round goes to Lucario!"

Ash sighed, wiping sweat off his own face as he returned Toucannon to his Pokeball.

"You did good, Toucannon. Leave the rest to us."

He then turned his attention to the Mega Lucario, choosing his next Pokemon very carefully. One wrong move, and it could all be over...