Chapter 35
Monday, February 27th
A Monday was typically a boring day for Serena, because it was her longest shift at her job during the week. She was a receptionist for a local dentist who worked late on Mondays. From eleven in the morning until seven-thirty at night, she would be behind a desk, answering phones, arranging appointments, and welcoming patients. It was a quiet job with hardly any problems, so she had nothing to complain about.
Normally she would head home after work, but today she took a detour. Ash drifted in and out of her thoughts during the day, leaving Serena to wonder about the state of Cassidy and the girls. She knew they were in Shauna's capable hands, but Serena had yet to really speak with Cassidy since she was released from the hospital. It was quite a scary turn of events during the last few months, but Cassidy proved to be the strong-willed woman that Serena recognized her to be.
Arriving at Ash's home around eight-thirty, Serena was welcomed happily by Shauna, whose workday at Ash's home was basically over. She already made dinner for the girls and Cassidy. The only task that remained was getting Macy ready for bed, and last-minute requests Cassidy made. However, with Serena's arrival, Cassidy insisted that Shauna take a little time to chat with her friend since she had been working all day.
While Cassidy took charge of watching the girls in the living room, Shauna and Serena went to the kitchen to talk.
"So, what brings you around these parts?" Shauna asked curiously as she searched the pantry for a snack. Serena was seated at the table, quietly checking her phone.
"Well I don't see you that much now that you work here all the time," Serena pointed out. "I thought I'd come by and visit."
"Oh really?" Shauna asked as she poked her head back into the kitchen, shooting a sly grin at Serena. "Are you sure you didn't plan on 'running' into Ash while you were here?"
Serena rolled her eyes with a huff and folded her arms in front of her chest. Shauna couldn't help but giggle as she sent Serena a wink and returned to her search in the pantry.
"So how have you been, Shauna?" Serena asked her.
"Ash is fine."
Serena sighed.
"Alright, alright. No more, I promise," Shauna said with a laugh. "I'm good, really good actually. This whole gig with Ash is like a breath of fresh air that I really needed. And Cassidy beats the last patient I had by a long shot, not to mention Ash pays like twice my normal rate. Although, I hardly need to buy anything because it's almost like I live here now."
"How many days a week do you work here?"
"Six. Ash gave me off on Sundays, but I usually come here anyway," Shauna answered before she gave an exclamation. "I found it."
She returned to the kitchen with a box of microwave popcorn.
"Ash buys so much food, it's honestly ridiculous. You need a search party to find something in all the stuff he buys," Shauna noted with a laugh. "Then again, if you've seen him eat, you'll know why he gets so much."
Serena gave a chuckle, recalling the various occasions that she watched Ash try to hold a conversation as he ate. It wasn't pretty.
"I'm glad things worked out for him…although it's hard to believe sometimes." Serena admitted.
"Yeah I know," Shauna said as she set the microwave. "Apparently he's made more money in the last two months than I would've made working part-time for ten. It's insane how much money he makes from those battles."
Serena frowned as she twiddled her thumbs. Ash promised her on more than one occasion that he would be fine, but she still struggled to shake off the fear. Memories of her father still flooded her mind whenever Ash spoke about his training with Pikachu, and it drove her crazy.
"Serena, I'll be right back. I'm going to put Macy to bed, so watch the popcorn," Shauna said to her friend as she left the kitchen.
Serena was quick to position herself at the counter beside the microwave. The low hum of the device became background noise as she fell back into her thoughts. She gave up on trying to change Ash's profession back in January after she went to the Hidden Cove to see one of his matches. Seeing him in action was enough to prove to her that this was the path he was destined to walk, and there was nothing she could do to change that. Even after Ash showed her how great a Pokemon battle could be, another trainer demonstrated how gruesome the sport could be. She remembered his name…Cross.
In the instances where Ash was stressed and distraught, he was still mindful of those around him. With Cross, though, Ash looked like he was ready to abandon his principles to set him straight. It had been a long time since she'd seen Ash get genuinely upset with another person.
The microwave beeped, snapping her out of her thoughts. She saw that the bag inside was bloated and opened the door to collect it. Tearing it open, Serena allowed the steam to puff out before she dumped out the contents into a bowl and returned to the table with it. She sighed as she leaned into the seat, listening to the faint sound of the television in the living room.
Her mind drifted back to the night she met Cross, and it wasn't until the end of the night that she understood why Ash was so agitated by him.
"He's making Pokemon battling look like a sham, like we should lock them in a cage and watch them tear each other apart. That's not what a Pokemon battle is about, not one bit! I'm going to set that guy straight…"
It was so endearing to see him take a stand for the world that he wanted to create. Ash had a way of speaking with such conviction that it almost felt like you couldn't doubt his words. Tonight was no exception, and Ash would back up those words with action.
"Aye, oh! Aye, oh!" Tierno entered the house as though it were early in the afternoon, despite the time being just past ten o'clock.
"Hey, cut the noise!" Shauna snapped at the group of Ash, Brock, Tierno, and Pikachu as they entered the house. Tierno laughed sheepishly as they turned down their celebration a few notches for the sake of Macy's sleep.
"So, did you win this time?" Casey asked as everyone piled into the living room where Cassidy was seated. She waited for Ash's answer with mild interest.
"Isn't it past your bedtime?" Ash asked her in return, earning a smirk from his sister.
"Mom said I can stay up until after I check out Brock's new car." She replied cheekily, causing Brock to raise his head proudly.
"Come on then Casey, I'll give you the full tour, and I'll tell you all about the battle," Brock said as he invited her to follow him outside with Tierno. Shauna was quick to join them, eager to get a closer inspection as well.
That left Ash, Pikachu, Serena, and Cassidy in the living room. Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder and joined Cassidy on the sofa, taking his place on her lap so that Cassidy could stroke his back.
"You two should go with them," Cassidy said with a gesture for Ash and Serena to join the others. "Before you go, Ash, did you win?"
"Heck yeah!" Ash answered with a grin.
"So that means, you'll be having the official battle with Cross, right?" Cassidy asked him. Ash raised his brow. "Don't be surprised, I may not be a trainer anymore, but I still keep track of what's happening."
Ash didn't bother to conceal his surprise, and gave a laugh.
"That's awesome," Ash exclaimed. "And yeah, I just have to wait to see when the official battle gets scheduled for."
"Alright then, I'm rooting for you," Cassidy said as she gave him a nod.
With that, Ash and Serena stepped out onto the front steps and took a seat there to watch as Brock allowed Casey to sit in the driver's seat while Shauna and Tierno took a few pictures. Ash chuckled softly at the sight of Casey with one hand on the steering wheel as she shot the camera a cheeky grin.
"So, you're really going to battle Cross and that Pokemon he has?" Serena asked him softly. Ash looked to her, and he spent a moment observing her expression. Her brow was knit with worry and eyes shimmering.
"Yeah, we have to." Ash stated.
"You've seen his Pokemon. That one isn't like the others that I've seen," Serena noted as she looked down.
"I'm with you on that. His Lycanroc is…" Ash shook his head and heaved out a sigh. "They're both pretty scary at times, if I had to be honest."
"And you really have to battle him?" Serena asked again. Ash gave a nod in reply.
"I know it's dangerous, Serena, but trainers like Cross can't be left to keep thinking it's okay to cripple their opponents. It's horrible, and I won't let him reach the top of the circuit battling that way," Ash explained. "I'm going to show him what a real Pokemon battle is like…and I want you there so that you can see it too."
Ash was only looking ahead as he spoke. Serena eyed him closely, watching how he wrung his hands together tightly. Then she looked to his face and saw his fiery eyes.
It wasn't just his words that filled you with confidence. His demeanor and focus made you believe in him…and Serena was certain she would witness something special at the upcoming battle.
Tuesday, February 28th
The lonely roads that twisted through Route 6 were typically quiet. Even a passing car wasn't enough to cause much of a disturbance among the Pokemon near the roadway, though the heavy trucks that transported cargo between cities would often startle the Pokemon as they drove by.
The engine of 'Regal,' Ash and Brock's newly refurbished classic car, achieved the same level of noise pollution as a big rig, causing Pokemon to scatter from beside the road in droves. Racing through Route 6, Ash and Brock were headed for their usual destination, their training grounds with Giselle.
During their travels, Ash and Brock would usually discuss the same two subjects. They would either talk shop and discuss tactics that Ash could use in his battles, or Brock would share what girls he saw during the day. Today, however, Ash was busy on the phone with the commissioner, Charles Goodshow.
"I saw your street battle last night," Charles stated with a grin that went unseen by Ash. "Good show, young man. Good show."
"Gee, thanks Mr. Goodshow."
"I wanted to give you and Cross some more time to prepare for the battle, but my inbox on the PokeHub was flooded with requests for the match to take place this weekend," Charles explained with a chuckle. Ash didn't mind, he was in the same camp as the masses. He wanted to face Cross again as quickly as possible.
"That's totally fine Mr. Goodshow," Ash assured him. "I would've battle Cross again tonight if I had to."
"I like the attitude," Charles commented. "I hope to see more of it on Saturday during the battle. You and Cross will the main event."
The emphasis on those two words brought a smile to Ash's face.
"And keep in mind, if you win, you'll be ranked at twelfth in the circuit. That's a very large step toward that match with your father." Charles reminded him, and Ash gave a nod.
"I'll be ranked in the top ten in no time," Ash responded, and their short call came to an end. Ash looked to Brock. "Well it's official, my match with Cross is this weekend."
"Alright man, let's get it!"
No more than twenty minutes later, the trio of Ash, Brock, and Pikachu was in the clearing where Giselle and Cubone were ready and waiting. The subject for today was Ash's plan for Cross. Despite the result of the street battle, further preparation was needed for some very obvious reasons.
"Cross isn't going to let you use Thunder Wave and Electro Ball again," Giselle stated as her opening remarks. "He's seen what that combination can do, so he'll be looking to shut that down at every opportunity."
"I figured as much, I knew we wouldn't last against them in a drawn-out battle," Ash noted. The greater the pressure on Cross' Lycanroc, the more likely he was to tap into his latent battle instincts, which would secure them the victory. "We wanted to end it as quickly as possible."
"That worked out well for guys, just keep in mind that you've got no choice but to face Cross in a longer battle this time," Giselle said as she placed her fingertips against her cheek. "You'll have to be meticulous and careful if you want to set up that combination again with Cross actively looking to counter it."
"Well isn't that the fun part of a battle, trying to outsmart your opponent?" Ash asked, raising his brow at her.
"It's my favorite part, Ash," She answered. "But is it yours?"
Ash pursed his lips as he thought about a reply. He liked every aspect of battling. The preparation beforehand. The tall task of trying to outwit the opposing trainer/Pokemon tandem. The fiery competitive spirit that consumed both of the participating parties. The thirst for victory! The teamwork, the sportsmanship…Ash loved all of it!
"Eh, I'm not exactly sure if I have a favorite part," He replied with a shrug and they left it at that. "That's beside the point, me and Pikachu know how to adapt. We just have to stay calm and be patient, like you said."
"I'm glad you're making it a point to adapt to your opponent, but just remember that Cross' Lycanroc isn't any ordinary opponent," Giselle said as she took out her phone. She referred to footage of Cross' last two matches from the PokeHub, showing him both of the scenarios where Lycanroc unleashed his combat instincts. Giselle dubbed it, 'Enraged.'
Ash didn't like the sight of it one bit. The way he struck his foes with no remorse. The gruesome scene where Lycanroc dislocated the shoulder of Morris' Floatzel and then ripped the fin off his arm. The crushing power Lycanroc demonstrated as he stunned Felix's Vigoroth over and over again with pinpoint body blows. It gave Ash chills trying to imagine Pikachu having to face Lycanroc.
As if re-watching old footage wasn't enough, Brock found a new video under Cross' profile on the PokeHub. It was uploaded this morning and titled: Your 'Quest' Ends Here!
It wasn't a video…more of a demonstration of Lycanroc's full strength and what they intended to do to Pikachu. Lycanroc demolished several tree trunks with just a single blow into the structure. A kick or a punch, it didn't matter. The bark shattered, and the trees came toppling over one after another.
"That little Pikachu of his will be broken when the battle is over!" Cross declared when the camera returned to him.
Ash bit down on his lower lip as he watched the video. The mental images of Pikachu taking the place of those trees sent a shiver down his spine. He could hear Pikachu's scream as his body snapped form those vicious attacks. Giselle made it abundantly clear to him during their training sessions that Pikachu was a glass cannon. There was no telling what kind of damage Lycanroc could do to him…damage that could be irreversible.
Ash gulped as he looked to his partner Pikachu as he chatted with Cubone.
Their next opponent was the most powerful one yet, and likely the most dangerous as well.
Wednesday, March 1st
Volkner was seated on the front porch of his small home on Route 11, observing Ash and Pikachu as they practiced in the clearing that they shared for the past few weeks. During that time, Volkner learned that Ash was a very vocal person, both during their actual training, as well as during the lessons. However, today Ash was more reserved than Volkner had ever seen him before.
Ash was watching Pikachu and Ampharos spar from a distance…silently. Ash always gave input and experimented with different tactics. Not today, though.
Volkner called out to Ash and made a gesture for him to join him on the porch. Ash did so without question, taking a seat on the stairs beside the blonde.
"What's the matter? I've never seen you so down." Volkner pointed out which earned a sigh from Ash.
"I'm not down…just nervous." Ash answered.
"You've already battled Cross," Volkner noted. "What's there to be nervous about?"
"This time is a little different," Ash admitted. "I was talking with Giselle yesterday and she made a lot of good points."
Volkner raised his brow and motioned for Ash to continue.
"One of the things she brought up was what we won't be able to win the battle quickly, which means that Lycanroc will probably be able to use his Enraged ability," Ash explained causing Volkner to raise his brow.
"Enraged? What's that?"
"She said that Lycanroc has these combat instincts that he can tap into during a battle that make him even stronger," Ash went on. "We avoided that the first time by ending the battle as fast as we could with the combo you taught us. But our next battle is definitely going to last a while…"
"And the longer the battle lasts, the more likely it is that Lycanroc will activate that ability," Volkner concluded and Ash seemed to shiver.
"I've seen what Lycanroc can do with it. He's brutal," Ash muttered in dismay. "I don't know what'll happen when Pikachu has to face that head-on."
"That's something you'll have to get used to Ash. As you face stronger trainers, their Pokemon get more dangerous too," Volkner pointed out. "There's a whole world of trainers out there, and I know for a fact that there are others out there that are stronger than us here in Vermilion City. So, believe me when I say there are Pokemon out there that you're not going to believe…" Volker paused for a moment, as to marvel at some of his old foes. "And when you face them, you can't second guess yourself, because if you do, you're just undermining all the training you've done up until that point."
Volkner made a gesture to Pikachu and Ampharos before he continued.
"Pikachu has been learning to trust his abilities from Ampharos, but above that, he's learning to trust and believe in you without question. If he's willing to go that far," Volkner pointed to Ash. "Then you have to believe in him, and yourself…because once you can do that, you'll gain the irrational confidence that all the best trainers have."
Volkner smirked as Ash's brow relaxed and his lips curved upward. His distress faded, at least for a moment.
Irrational confidence.
Ash remembered reading about how athletes possessed this quality. Confidence that they couldn't explain. It boiled down to the assurance in their heads that they were capable of doing anything.
Ash nodded to himself.
"I can do anything too…because I'm going to be Pokemon Master." Ash hit his chest, the fire in his eyes returning.
"That's the right attitude," Volkner stated. "However, not to put a damper on your mood, but your concerns about Pikachu getting hit are legitimate."
Ash thought back to his prior matches. There was only one so far that Pikachu left unscathed, and that was their very first match against Peter and his Roselia. Since then Pikachu took some damage in all their matches, though they managed to avoid any significant injuries. Such a convenience wouldn't last as the level of competition rose.
"Speed alone isn't enough anymore," Ash noted. "We need to improve our defense too. Is there anything we can do in time for the battle?"
"Eh, there's one thing you could do," Volkner admitted, causing Ash to laugh.
"I was hoping you would say that."
Friday, March 3rd
Giselle was whiter than the fur on an Absol.
She hated Route 11 for this very reason.
"Cu-bone," Cubone muttered as he dragged away an unconscious Ekans by his tail. Cubone tossed the constrictor Pokemon into a nearby bush and returned to Giselle's side as she regained her composure.
"I hate snakes," She mumbled as she got back on her feet to dust the dirt off of her shorts.
"Cubone-bone," Cubone pointed at with a gesture toward their surroundings.
"I already told you, I only came out here to check out Cross for Ash," Giselle retorted as they pressed onward through the woodlands. "And Ash owes me big time for coming out here."
Their adventure into Route 11 continued, with Giselle using the GPS on her phone to track their location. They were only an hour away from Vermilion City by car with an additional forty minutes of walking, steadily closing in on their destination. A bush rustled beside them and Giselle tensed. Cubone readied his bone before a blur of purple shot out.
Giselle shrieked as Cubone moved to intercept their attacker. To his dismay, he found that the purple Pokemon wasn't the beady-eyed snake that Giselle loathed, but a jittery Rattata. The mouse came skidding to a halt and squeaked at the sight of Cubone with his weapon poised to strike. Rattata darted back into the bush, allowing Giselle to heave out a sigh of relief as she sunk to her knees.
"Thanks again, Cubone," She thanked her partner graciously for his help.
"Bone," He replied before his ears twitched. He could hear combat in the distance. "Cubone!"
He took the lead from here, guiding Giselle to a nearby clearing where they found the source of the battle. Cross and his Lycanroc were battling another trainer who was partnered with a dark and skinny Pokemon. It only took Giselle a moment to identify the opponent as a Sneasel. Giselle and Cubone remained hidden in the bushes that lined the clearing, observing quietly as the battle continued.
"You're doing great Sneasel, just keep going with our hit and run strategy and we'll wear them out!" Sneasel's trainer proclaimed proudly.
Giselle recalled what she could about the dual type Pokemon. Sneasel was a very nimble Pokemon that favored his mobility when in combat. With it, they could run circles around their opponents and often times taunted their opponents as they avoided any and all damage. Giselle narrowed her eyes as she watched the matchup. It was obvious that Cross was actually preparing Lycanroc to deal with Pikachu's speed.
"Again, Lycanroc," Cross stated, his arms folded in front of his chest. "Start with Scary Face."
Just watching Lycanroc caused Giselle to flinch as his eyes grew large. His steady breathing became erratic, as if he was hyperventilating. He leaned forward, going down on all fours as his eyes scanned the field, gaining their signature red glow.
Sneasel attempted to blindside Lycanroc, his approach hidden within a Feint Attack, however, Lycanroc proved to be more perceptive. His pupils bounced around, tracking Sneasel's rapid movements until his real attack came, and Lycanroc turned to face him with his eyes wide and fangs showing. Sneasel froze in place after making eye contact, as if he was hit by a Thunder Wave.
"Now finish it." Cross commanded.
Sneasel cowered beneath Lycanroc's furious gaze and received a Brick Break to his body as punishment for his lack of fortitude. Even Cubone cringed after hearing the thud echo from Sneasel's body as he was thrown aside. Sneasel's trainer gawked at the sight of his Sneasel lying motionless on the ground from one blow. The battle was over!
Cross smirked as he observed the results of their practice. Ash and Pikachu were in for a rude awakening during their next match. As Lycanroc observed his beaten opponent, he twitched, sensing the presence of someone else. His gaze shot straight to where Giselle and Cubone were hiding, and he rushed at them with a snarl. Seeing Lycanroc in a frenzy, Cubone jumped out of the bush to meet Lycanroc head-on with his newly developed Iron Head attack. Lycanroc, however, ignored Cubone's efforts by palming his skull and slamming him down the field angrily which forced Giselle out of hiding as well.
"Cubone!" She shouted as Lycanroc held down her Pokemon with one hand. Cubone squirmed beneath him, fighting to get loose from Lycanroc's grip. "Let go of him!"
Lycanroc's wild eyes turned to Giselle and he howled. His thighs and calves became tense as he lowered himself in preparation to pounce at her. As Lycanroc got airborne, Giselle found herself stumbling backward, raising her arms to shield herself from his initial attack. Thankfully, Lycanroc was swallowed up into his Pokeball before he could do anything to her.
"What you think you're doing here?" Cross inquired as he miniaturized Lycanroc's Pokeball. His expression was fierce, though it couldn't compare to Lycanroc's.
Giselle rested on her bottom for the umpteenth time since she got out of her car on Route 11 an hour ago. She blinked rapidly as the brief panic from moments ago faded away. When she focused on Cross, she cleared her throat before answering.
"I was just passing through," Giselle answered earning a laugh from Cross.
"Yeah sure, the day before I battle Ash, you 'conveniently' show up when I'm practicing," Cross noted as he shook his head. "I'm not stupid, I know you're friends with Ash…and I couldn't care less that you saw what we've been practicing. Go ahead and tell Ash, there's nothing he can do to change the outcome."
Giselle bit down on her lower lip as she looked to the Sneasel that was being tended to by his trainer. One blow from Lycanroc was enough to end the battle, and she doubted that Lycanroc would be so merciful to Pikachu. Not after the humiliation of being forced to concede a street battle to him in front of a massive audience. However, there was something more noteworthy than Lycanroc's crushing power and his new Scary Face tactic.
Giselle was certain after seeing him use it against Sneasel. Lycanroc could activate 'Enraged' on command. Unlike the previous bouts she saw him in, Lycanroc needed to be under a measure of stress to use that ability. That was no longer the case. Such a potent ability was now something he could call upon whenever he wanted…and with it, the Scary Face tactic would surely end the battle against Pikachu.
Saturday, March 4th
Main Event – Bad Blood – 'Quest' vs 'Axel' – 50/3
Giselle felt uneasy as she watched Ash enter the Hidden Cove stadium with the other trainers to complete their check-in for tonight's matches. Ash always had a sort of contagious confidence around him that made Giselle believe he and Pikachu accomplish anything. They surpassed her expectations at every occasion so far, but tonight, Giselle couldn't feed off of Ash's positivity.
"Hmm, thanks for telling me, Giselle," Ash began as he shrugged his shoulders. At first, he made a face as he thought about what she told him concerning Cross' new strategy, but gradually it became his usual grin. "We're not worried. We're worked hard, and you know what, it doesn't matter what they do. I believe in Pikachu; he believes in me and I think that's all we're going to need this time."
Giselle frowned deeply as the stadium doors closed and the security guards stationed themselves in front of the doors. Brock, Tierno, and Serena took notice of her expression and decided to strike up some small talk.
"Hey, what were you talking to Ash about earlier?" Brock asked.
"I did some snooping around yesterday and saw Cross practicing for the battle today." Giselle began and Brock grinned.
"Nice, gathering intel on him. You were telling Ash about it, right?" Brock concluded and Giselle confirmed with a nod.
"What's the problem, then?" Tierno asked her.
"Even though Ash knows what Cross is planning, it's not really something he can avoid or counter," Giselle explained for them. "It's an anti-Pikachu strategy."
"Anti-Pikachu?" Serena repeated in question.
"Well, what did Ash say about it?" Brock interjected curiously, and Giselle shook her head in reply.
"He said he's not worried," She answered with a shrug. "He said that he believes in himself and Pikachu…and that's all he really needs."
Brock chuckled and Giselle shot him a look.
"What's so funny?"
"It figures you wouldn't be happy with that answer. Ash is like the polar opposite of you, in all honesty," Brock went on as he pointed to her. "You want to prepare for your opponent's every move. That's not really Ash's style, he's perfectly content going in blind and thinking of strategies on the fly. It's only since he started training with you a few months back that I've seen him start to give it all more thought. I mean, I guess that's a good thing, because he's been better prepared for all of his matches. Like I said, he's fine with trying to deal with something on the spot."
Serena gave a nod of agreement before he added, "Yeah, that's just who he is."
Giselle paused and pursed her lips. They were right. All that time she spent training with Ash, she was trying to model him after herself. He was receptive to her training, but in the end, the proof was right there in front of her. He wasn't Giselle.
He was Ash 'Quest' Ketchum!
The night flew by while Ash sat in the waiting room. There were fourteen trainers, himself included when the night began. That number diminished quickly as Ash listened to the roar of the audience above him. With the ample amount of time he had, Ash went over the events of the past week in his head to pass the time since he arrived in the waiting room.
His preparations for Cross were lackluster at best, but with only a few days to get ready, he didn't have much time available. In the end, Ash was alright with that. If he didn't have much time to prepare, then that meant Cross was under the same conditions. Or so he thought.
Giselle approached him earlier to tell him that Cross developed an 'anti-Pikachu' strategy that would certainly secure him the victory tonight. The fact that Cross worked hard with his Lycanroc to create a strategy for Pikachu almost put a smile on Ash's face. Giselle's comments concerning Cross at his last match made Ash rethink his opinion of the ginger-haired trainer.
"I don't want to admit it, but Cross is an incredible trainer," Giselle said softly. "Unlike Vigoroth, who is more or less a wild Pokemon, Lycanroc has something like a…controlled wrath. He taps into his wild side when it's needed, and even when he is relying on it, Cross' training still comes through perfectly."
As much as Ash detested Cross' style of battle, Giselle was right. He was an incredible trainer, if his training was still evident in Lycanroc while the Pokemon was relying on his instincts. Knowing that Cross and Lycanroc spent the last week working their butts off made Ash excited to the battle them. They were taking it just as seriously as him and Pikachu.
"The semi-final will be starting in five minutes!" The attendant called out at the entrance to the room. The only other trainer present rose from his seat and made his way to the exit, sparing Ash a two-fingered salute as he passed by.
The room was empty. Just Ash, Pikachu, and the television on the wall.
"Hey Pikachu," Ash began, earning his partner's attention. Pikachu, who sat beside him on the bench, looked up at Ash with his ears raised. "I know this might sound weird after all the stuff Cross said about us, but I'm actually looking forward to battling him."
"Pi?" Pikachu tilted his head, waiting for Ash to continue.
"Well I didn't want to give him any credit when we first met because…he was an asshole, more or less," Ash noted with a chuckle. "I don't know, hearing what Giselle said about him, I don't want to beat him because he's an ass. I want to beat him because he's strong."
Pikachu got up on his feet and clenched his tiny paws into fists. He could feel that Ash's competitive spirit was coming to a boil.
"Don't get me wrong, I won't forgive someone that allows their Pokemon to be so cruel, so I'm going to go out there and give it my best." Ash declared and Pikachu beamed at him.
Me too!
"And don't worry about all the stuff Cross said about you…whether we win or lose tonight, I know you're the strongest Pokemon out there. You don't need to prove it to me, I just know it." Ash stated and Pikachu's eyes gleamed.
They bumped fists with hardy grins.
"To our viewing audience, we ask for your undivided attention for tonight's main event!" The MC declared, and the audience roared. The match they had been waiting for was about to begin! "We have a special match-up slated for tonight, one we know you all are anxious to see! So, we're going to skip the introductions and invite both trainers to the center of the field!"
As he said this, Ash, Cross and their Pokemon came out of their respective tunnels and met at centerfield. The crowd became wild at the sight of them stepping close, their foreheads practically touching as they glared at one another. The referee considered separating them for only a moment before he caught sight of Lycanroc and Pikachu. They mirrored the actions of their trainers.
As Ash stared in Cross' eyes, he was blasted by the icy winds of Cross' malevolence. But he refused to give any ground. If he backed away now, even in the slightest, it would set the tone for the entire battle. They were here to do more than stand up to Cross. They came to beat him!
With the crowd rowdy, the referee decided to give an abbreviated rundown of the rules. Once he was finished, he directed each of the trainers back to their boxes so that they could proceed with the battle. Their Pokemon were still present at centerfield, glaring daggers at the other.
"Trainers, are you ready?" The ref asked as he raised his flags. He looked to each of them for confirmation, and made his classic gesture to signal the start of the match. "Battle begin!"
Lycanroc snarled as he lashed out at Pikachu immediately with a closed fist. He plowed it into the field, smashing the surface, but Pikachu already escaped with nothing more than a sidestep. He shot a smirk at Lycanroc and challenged: 'You'll have to do better than that.'
The rock Pokemon grit his teeth visibly, his fangs showing before he attacked again. His stony paws pummeled the field as he tried to crush Pikachu, however, the smaller Pokemon demonstrated his elusive speed. With short, quick bursts, Pikachu avoided each attack and he showed no fear despite the threat of being pulverized by one of these blows.
"Pikachu, while your so close, Thunder Wave!" Ash called out as their first move. With Lycanroc's physicality, there was hardly any distance between him and Pikachu which meant he only had a fraction of a second to defend himself against the impending electrical shower.
The immediate reaction from Lycanroc was proof that Cross was targeting their Thunder Wave. Lycanroc's paw glowed as he punched the field at his feet, erecting a short stone pillar to shield him from Pikachu's attack. The electricity sparked and sputtered as Pikachu leaped backward with his eyes wide at how quickly Lycanroc responded. Just as quickly as the stone column appeared, it disappeared. Lycanroc cleaved through the base of it with his forearm and kicked it to send it toppling forward toward Pikachu.
The smaller Pokemon darted off to get away, the pillar creating a cloud of dust at the center of the field. Pikachu eyed it closely and decided to use the dust to break line of sight. Despite being hidden within the cloud, Lycanroc was tracking his tiny footsteps. His ears shot up as he locked on to Pikachu and he dove into the dust.
There was a thud, and Pikachu came tumbling out the cloud with Lycanroc in hot pursuit, his maw open and claws spread to attack. The dust billowed around him as he swung at Pikachu, his claws cutting through the wind. Pikachu raised his tail as a defense for the blow, and Lycanroc knocked him away, which provided Pikachu with the time to rotate in the air and land on his feet.
He squared off with Lycanroc once again, undeterred by the menacing gaze of his feral opponent. Ash observed the scene, his heart thumping in his ears. Clearly Cross learned his lesson from their street battle. Thunder Wave was going to be countered by a wordless Rock Tomb every time Ash called for it. The only way they could possibly set up an Electro Ball finish was if they could induce paralysis in a different way. But Ash was certain Lycanroc was prepared to block out all of their electric type attacks.
They would have to be diligent going forward to survive what Cross had in store for them.
"Pikachu, let's fall back to Quick Attack and Double Team!" Ash called out.
In the stands, Giselle tensed up in her seat.
That combination was exactly what Cross was waiting for!
As Pikachu's signature combo began, Lycanroc lowered his stance so that he was on all fours, his ears raised and eyes wide. An eerie scarlet glow manifested in Lycanroc's eyes, which Ash recognized as his heightened combat instincts. Lycanroc's natural counter to Pikachu's speed, and if Giselle was right, he would likely see the anti-Pikachu strategy that she mentioned.
As the Double Team took effect and a dozen after-images of Pikachu took shape on the shield, Lycanroc gave a low growl. All his senses sharpened to the finest point, his body trembling as a side effect. Even as his eyes struggled to follow Pikachu's movements, his ears followed the myriad of footsteps Pikachu left. Lycanroc could feel the breeze of Pikachu's movements as he whizzed by and it was enough for him to form a mental image of where the little runt was moving.
"Scary Face!" Cross barked.
Pikachu threw in a feint to disguise his approach, forcing Lycanroc to look the wrong way before he came in from behind. As he dashed in, Lycanroc whirled around with a snarl. His ferocity came through in his eyes, further emphasized by his enlarged pupils. Pikachu came skidding to a halt at the sight of his opponent and Ash's felt his stomach drop.
"Brick Break!"
Lycanroc raised one paw, ready to smash Pikachu's small bones to pieces.
"Pikachu!" Ash hollered before Lycanroc lowered his arm and flattened his partner. There were gasps throughout the audience as a plume of dust erupted around the pair of Pokemon. Lycanroc was the first to react with a grimace. His arm went numb.
He expected to feel Pikachu's tiny body snap beneath his weight. Instead, his paw connected with something solid that sent a jolt up his arm. As the dust settled, Lycanroc saw that Pikachu raised his arms in a cross-arm block to take the Brick Break attack, but the meager defense of Pikachu's arms shouldn't have been able to hold against his attack. His eyes caught a glint of light and he saw that there was transparent barrier shielding Pikachu. It only caught a fraction of the stadium lights, but it was enough for Lycanroc to recognize the move.
"Protect?" Giselle exclaimed as she jumped to her feet. "No way!"
"Yes, way!" Brock hollered as he pumped his fist. "Get em' good, Pikachu!"
Cross' eyes narrowed as he looked to Ash. He never would've imagined Pikachu having a move like Protect in his arsenal. Cross was well versed in the many moves a Pokemon could use, and he knew that Protect had a low success rate when used successively. They couldn't defend against Lycanroc again.
"Scary Face again, then follow up with Brick Break!" Cross commanded.
Pikachu sensed danger as Lycanroc's eyes grew wide with a scowl. Lycanroc's chilling malice was unleashed, applying a pressure onto Pikachu that caused his body to freeze in place. In the face of such pressure, Pikachu's courage was reinforced as he remembered that he had nothing to fear.
Ash was with him!
I…will never fear you!
Lycanroc's gaze became narrow at Pikachu's declaration. He growled angrily and raised his paw to strike a second time, but Scary Face didn't have its desired effect. Pikachu's cheeks became lit with sparks of electricity that Lycanroc recognized immediately. He jumped backward to create some separation between them.
Ash furrowed his brow, surprised that Lycanroc responded so intensely to Pikachu's little show. It brought a small grin to his face as he realized that Lycanroc's defensive instruction regarding Pikachu's electricity could be his own undoing. A trap!
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash hollered as a test.
Pikachu launched the attack quickly and Lycanroc slapped the field with one of his paws to use Rock Tomb. A slab of earth rose up in front of him to block the Thunderbolt, but Pikachu was already on the move.
"Now follow up with Spark and Quick Attack!" Ash added and Pikachu became cloaked in an electrical halo as he rushed off. He flanked Lycanroc, who barely saw Pikachu out of the corner of his eye to react. Raising his left forearm to intercept the approaching Spark attack, Lycanroc couldn't set his feet in time and was knocked away by the force of the impact.
"Great hit, Pikachu!"
Lycanroc hit the ground rolling, but quickly set himself aright on all fours. He lowered his stance and growled at Pikachu, though his aggression was tempered when the electricity flared up around his left arm. It caused him to wince visibly, which made Ash smile. It would take some time before they could inflict a full paralysis, but it was possible with the method they just used.
"Don't get excited like you're getting somewhere," Cross sneered from across the field. "Your pathetic attacks mean nothing to Lycanroc, use Thunder Fang!"
Ash cringed as he saw Lycanroc sink his large fangs into his own left arm. Pikachu's eyes grew wide as he saw Lycanroc drain away the electricity that been left back in his arm, using it to fuel the attack Cross called for. When the process was complete, sparks flew from his mouth as he charged forward, unhindered by the effects of Pikachu's earlier Spark attack.
In the stands, Volkner had a hand on his head with his eyebrows practically touching his hairline as he watched Lycanroc pursue Pikachu around the field. He couldn't believe that Cross thought of such a crude method to cancel out paralysis, though it was impressive, nonetheless.
All Pokemon had the potential to manipulate the elements to some degree. Some of them possessed a natural affinity for it, while others needed time and practice to develop these skills. While Lycanroc was more inclined toward earth-based manipulation, he did possess the ability to control electricity, though it took the bizarre scenario of getting paralyzed to put this particular ability to any use in the form of Thunder Fang.
No matter how much Cross spoke negatively of Ash, his preparation for the battle was evident. He and Lycanroc didn't spare a moment developing multiple strategies for their opponents today.
So, the question remained: how would Ash handle the new tactics of his opponent?
The sparks that filled Lycanroc's mouth fizzled out, and his use of Thunder Fang came to an end. That didn't stop their offense as Cross gave his next command. "Alter the field with Rock Tomb!"
Lycanroc drilled his arm into the field, all the way up to his elbow. Pikachu, who stood on his hind legs, was forced to go down on all fours as the field quaked and shifted beneath him. Sections of the field rose while others fell, and the crowd marveled as Lycanroc changed the battlefield.
Typically, a field could maintain its flat and even surface during the intense combat between most Pokemon. In this case, Lycanroc went out of his way to turn the field into a mess. It seemed to resemble a cavern floor that had seen better days, with jagged spikes scattered about and large cracks that could be compared to chasms.
"Let's see how well that little trash can move now!" Cross called out with a smirk. However, Ash returned the small gesture.
Cross wasn't the first person to try limiting how Pikachu could move. No one succeeded in creating a field Pikachu couldn't run on.
"Pikachu, let's go!" Ash pumped his fist as he gave the call, and Pikachu blurred out of vision. His Double Team became even more volatile than normal. Usually, there was a pattern to Pikachu's movements, but with the current state of the battlefield, it forced him to move without any forethought. The field in this state was more of an asset to Pikachu than a detriment. His Double Team was everywhere!
Cross looked around the field in disbelief. It certainly wasn't the result he was expecting, but he wouldn't give Ash the satisfaction of knowing that he had been caught off guard. It didn't matter that Pikachu was fast, because the only move that could knock out Lycanroc had been nullified. All Cross had to do was tire Pikachu out, and the win would be his for the taking.
"Alright," Ash muttered to himself as he watched Pikachu engage Lycanroc yet again. "We beat Scary Face, but even if we force Lycanroc back and land Spark, he can cancel paralysis with Thunder Fang. So that leaves us with a really small window to try and force in an Electro Ball."
Ash already knew that it would be impossible to land an Electro Ball in that time frame, so he needed to think of another way, especially since…
"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed as he was batted away by Lycanroc. He was quick enough to reorient himself in the air and land on one of the raised spikes, using it to kick start his Double Team once again.
"Pikachu, just keep your distance for now!" Ash hollered to his partner.
Their options had been whittled down to a defensive game, a game in which time was against them. Even as Pikachu maneuvered around Lycanroc, the threat of his No Guard ability grew remained a constant. If Pikachu got caught in Lycanroc's tempo, that would spell disaster for them. A hitting match was the last thing they wanted to deal with during the battle, so they would have to play the range game against them.
"Thunderbolt, once more!" Ash called out with a swing of his arm.
Pikachu's after images faded away to reveal his current location, perched on the tip of one of the spikes. He let loose a lightning bolt jumped across the field toward its target. Lycanroc responded with the same means to defend against Pikachu's electricity. He slapped the field, lifting a block of earth to shield him from the turbulent attack, which triggered the same pattern Ash had seen already.
Quick Attack and Spark to get past Lycanroc's shield. Scary Face to force Pikachu to hesitate followed by a Brick Break that forced him to back away into an evasive Double Team. A stalemate that left both parties searching a wrinkle in the other's defense.
Ash scratched at the top of his head; brow creased as he did his best read the situation. How he wished he could channel all of Giselle's teachings in this instant to think of a strategy that could pick apart Cross and Lycanroc. But the insight he needed wasn't as timely as he hoped. He lacked an answer to Cross' defense that could open the way for him to land an Electro Ball.
Just stop thinking!
Pikachu's voice rang out and Ash watched as his partner came to a standstill on the field, his after-images fading away once again. The duo shared a glance and, in that instant, Ash saw Pikachu's pride swell within his small eyes.
I'm not trash! Let me prove it to them!
Pikachu had been waiting for far too long. This moment, right here where neither side was making any progress…now was the time for Pikachu to show the potential that Cross doubted.
"Go for it, Pikachu," Ash declared. "I'm with you!"
His partner gave him a nod and set his gaze back on Lycanroc. A growl escaped his lips as he saw Pikachu's invigorated eyes, his temper flaring as he wanted nothing more than to squash the little Pokemon that stood before him.
Rather than use his speed, Pikachu approached Lycanroc slowly. A challenge.
Cross raised his brow as Lycanroc barked at Pikachu, his aggravation showing. How dare Pikachu even think of challenging him!
"If they want to play into our hand Lycanroc, let them." Cross ordered. Lycanroc raised his arms and smashed away the spikes that surrounded him on the field, creating a flat area for him and Pikachu to square off. When Pikachu arrived, Lycanroc lowered himself down onto all fours and dug his claws down into the field as a warning to Pikachu.
You're on my turf.
Pikachu remained undeterred as he approached, a plan in mind already. His cheeks crackled, which earned an immediate reaction from Lycanroc.
He instinctively took a step back.
"It's a bluff!" Cross proclaimed, and Lycanroc tightened his stance.
The stare down recommenced, and the audience grew deathly silent.
Up in his private booth, Charles felt a smile form on his lips as he watched their exchange. Challenging Lycanroc at a range that he typically dominated his opponents from required a courageous heart, the heart of a Pyroar!
On the field, Lycanroc sensed the tension between him and Pikachu.
The battle was more than just an exchange of attacks. Pikachu was trying to get into his head! Pikachu's tail twitched, sparks flying from it.
Lycanroc's skin crawled as he arched his back, and that was all Pikachu needed to see.
You're afraid of…me?
Pikachu stepped forward.
Lycanroc stepped back.
You remember what my Electro Ball feels like? It's no wonder you were willing to chew your own arm off to use Thunder Fang…you don't want to feel Electro Ball again.
Lycanroc became rigid at the sight of Pikachu's giddy expression. That damn little mouse saw through him!
Pikachu's cheeks crackled again as he feinted a forward dash. Lycanroc flinched visibly and panicked, smashing the field with his arm to trigger Rock Tomb. The shield was raised in front of him, blocking his own vision of Pikachu and Cross' eyes grew wide with disbelief as Pikachu attacked. He came darting through the spikes on a flank once again with an electrical cloak better known as Spark.
If not for Lycanroc's heightened instincts, he would've been struck by the Spark attack directly. He responded fast enough to lash out with one paw in a Brick Break to counter Pikachu. The clash of a gong rang out from the impact, causing members of the audience to cringe.
Ash moved around in his box anxiously, his line of sight blocked by the wall Lycanroc raised earlier to shield himself. Ash fought back against his desire to call out to Pikachu, fully backing Pikachu's bold decision to face Lycanroc at close range. Ash would see it through to the end, side by side with his partner.
Lycanroc's arm trembled as he held back Pikachu's Spark attack, but he knew he had the advantage since it only cost one him arm to address Pikachu. With his free arm, he delivered an uppercut to Pikachu which sent him high into the air, the only place where his speed was totally negated.
"Stone Edge!" Cross barked with a raised fist.
Lycanroc bent over and buried both his arms down into the field, causing it to quake once more as he howled. Multiple stones featuring a blue hue burst out of the field, being launched at Pikachu, who was falling back down to the field. Ash stared at the approaching the attack, his mind adrift in thoughts of how to address the situation in these precious seconds.
They didn't have a move to stop the approach of those stones, nor could Protect last long enough for Pikachu to withstand that entirety of Stone Edge. They needed a combination…a shield that they could attack with right after!
"Pikachu, charge your tail and use it to protect yourself!" Ash screamed with all his might. It reached Pikachu with just moments to spare and he rolled in the air, positioning his tail beneath him as it became enveloped in his yellow lightning. It spiraled around his tail just as Pikachu came crashing into the first stone, which exploded on contact.
Dust clouds erupted in the air as Pikachu descended through the onslaught of blue stones, completely concealing his form from Lycanroc's sight. There was a moment of silence as Lycanroc straightened up, unable to detect what took place within the clouds.
His ears twitched.
He heard the faint crackle electricity!
"Pika!" Pikachu came flying out of the cloud to meet Lycanroc.
Lycanroc barely managed to raise his arms to take the blow from Pikachu's tail, allowing the electricity that Pikachu used as shield to become a weapon. The momentum from Pikachu's fall generated enough force to slam Lycanroc down to the field on his back with Pikachu directly on top of him.
"Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted as he reached to the visor of his cap to turn it backward.
Point blank.
Without the need to aim and his tail pre-charged, Pikachu focused solely on the strength of his Thunderbolt to put out the highest voltage he could achieve. Lycanroc howled as the field was bathed in Pikachu's electrical light. The target of the Thunderbolt was left twitching on the field, his muscles rejecting his commands to move. It was a full-body paralysis that Lycanroc struggled to overcome.
"We've got em' right where we want them Pikachu, you know what to do! Electro Ball!" Ash ordered as he threw his fist in the air. Those in the audience who saw their last battle rose to their feet, recognizing the attack that finished Lycanroc the last time.
"Lycanroc, use Thunder Fang!" Cross shouted vehemently; his fists clenched tight and eyes filled with apathy. How could such a pitiful trainer and his worthless Pikachu get the upper hand on them?!
For the second time since debuting in the underground circuit, Cross looked to Lycanroc and saw the red glow of his eyes fade away. He was actually submitting to their opponent!
"Lycanroc!" Cross snapped at his Pokemon; whose eyes turned upward as Pikachu sprung into the air. The moist air of the Hidden Cove was charged with the electricity of Pikachu's earlier Thunderbolt, and he rose to draw in the electrical currents which spiraled into his tail as a vortex. All of it was funneled into the screeching sphere that formed on the end of Pikachu's tail, which he flung at his opponent.
Lycanroc merely shut his eyes and it felt like an eternity before his skin became engulfed in what felt like a raging inferno. He agonized on the field, his body convulsing against his will. The pain was unbearable! Physical punishment was nothing, he survived a match with a Vigoroth after all. But the injuries from that match couldn't compare to what he was experiencing. Attacks that bypassed his naturally toughened exterior felt so foreign, so wrong…and there wasn't a thing he could do about it!
He could only lay there. The damage was done.
Pikachu landed softly on his feet; ears raised as he observed Lycanroc's form. Seeing Lycanroc remain motionless, the referee stepped out of his box to make his judgment of the battle, and the crowd roared. Even though his voice went unheard, the raised blue flag was confirmation that Ash was the victor.
"'Quest' is our winner!" The MC proclaimed as both trainers left their respective boxes to step onto the field. It took a few moments for them to travel through the treacherous field that Lycanroc created. The trainers met in the small ring that was used for the final showdown for between their Pokemon.
Cross observed his fallen partner, eyes narrow and nose turned upward. He had no words for Lycanroc, and merely called him back into his Pokeball. Ash watched closely as Cross held the device tightly, glaring down at it.
"Lycanroc put up a hell of a fight," Ash commented as he extended a hand toward his fellow trainer.
Cross' eyes snapped upward at him, nose wrinkled with hostility. He only spent a moment observing Ash and the smile he wore on his face as he offered Cross a show of sportsmanship. It was sickening. He slapped away Ash's hand and stepped forward, placing a finger on Ash's chest.
"You won today because Lycanroc was godawful," Cross stated indignantly. "I'm going to get a new Pokemon, and when I come back…I will slaughter you."
He turned around abruptly and left. The audience continued to cheer, under the impression that Cross issued another challenge to Ash. All were eager at the prospect of Bad Blood III.
Ash, however, was disappointed.
It was a great battle, and yet, Cross couldn't think of anything good to say about it! His Lycanroc went to some incredible lengths to combat Pikachu, and Cross had the nerve to call him 'godawful' and decide to pursue a new Pokemon to replace his Lycanroc! It didn't matter how well he could train a dangerous Pokemon, Cross was still a trainer with no class.
Ash kneeled down with an outstretched arm as an invitation for Pikachu to climb onto his shoulder. Pikachu did so slowly, and Ash was quick to take note of damage done to Pikachu. Aside from the dirt and dust in his fur, his body was littered with small cuts from hammering his way through that last Stone Edge attack. Even though they avoided serious damage, Pikachu was still pelted by a multitude of small stones during that exchange.
Pikachu got off lightly from the battle, barely escaping a variety of attacks that could've ended the battle, had he been hit. How could Cross describe Lycanroc's efforts as 'godawful?'
"'Quest,' can we have a word with you?"
Ash perked up, leaving his thoughts to find the MC standing beside him with his microphone in hand.
"Usually we do an interview with the winner of the main event, with a few exceptions. Think you're ready for it?" He asked Ash with a grin.
"Yeah, of course!" Ash exclaimed.
"Just answer naturally, you don't have to put on a front for anyone here," The MC added as he extended a hand toward Ash. "You can call me Victor, by the way."
"Ash Ketchum, nice to meetcha!" Ash replied as they shook hands. Victor then waved to the audience, silencing the uproar for the interview with Ash to begin.
"Alright folks, we've got a special interview tonight with our winner, 'Quest!'" Victor declared before he turned back to Ash. "So 'Quest,' it's no secret that you're the youngest trainer to ever battle here. How do you feel, having so much success despite being younger than your peers?"
Ash raised his brow at the question.
"Uh…I mean, I'm grateful, I guess. Pikachu and I have been working hard for months to get this far," Ash paused for a moment as he looked to his partner on his shoulder. "It feels great to know that our hard work has paid off."
"There are a lot of people that are curious about your relationship with Cross, considering how the two of you have been at each other's throats for the last couple of weeks. Is there some sort of history between you guys, or anything like that?" Victor inquired before he extended the microphone toward Ash again.
"Not really a history, just two trainers with different opinions," Ash replied as he shook his head. "Every trainer has their own way of training their Pokemon, we just…couldn't see eye to eye."
"Ah, so there more than just a battle tonight, huh?" Victor asked with a cheeky grin. Ash scratched at the back of his neck with a chuckle.
"Maybe. Either way, I can say without a doubt that Lycanroc is a beast of a Pokemon and uh, 'Axel' is…" Ash looked down for a moment, amazed that he was going to finish the sentence he started. "He's a fantastic trainer, but I think he's missing one ingredient to be the best. I really hope he finds it one day so that we can have a rematch, and see who comes out on top."
"Heh, well I'll say that you're not the only one looking forward to that rematch," Victor said with a gesture toward the audience. "Thanks for your time 'Quest,' we're all excited about your next match here!"
The audience cheered, so Ash and Pikachu raised their arms to wave at their supporters.
Ash scanned the front row, searching for his friends. It only took a few moments before he spotted their familiar faces, though he focused on Serena in particular. He kept one hand raised as a closed fist to her, a symbol of strength and a promise that he would always be alright. Pikachu mimicked his actions, and Serena couldn't help but return the small gesture with a smile.
Brock watched the small exchange between them and began to nod to himself with a smirk. He knew that Ash wanted nothing more than for Serena to come to appreciate Pokemon the way he did, and perhaps seeing Ash as the star of the Hidden Cove tonight was a small step in that direction.
But tonight, had greater implication for Ash, after all…they were ranked twelfth in the circuit!
Their long climb up the mountain had been perilous at times. Through their adversities, they drew close to the peak.
Aaron was up there, all by his lonesome self…waiting for them.
Just a little bit farther.
A/N
Man, oh man! I'm proud of this battle and I hope you guys in enjoyed it! I've been hyping their showdown since chapter 27 and I really hope it didn't disappoint since it was my first rivalry matchup. Please review, I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions. As I've said before, my combat scenes are a work in progress but I really feel like this was a step towards me finding my own style of battle. So again, please review!
I will say this now as a minor spoiler that this is only the first time Ash and Cross meet in an official match. I have plans for them to have a rematch in the future, but that's all I'll say about it for now. This rivalry between them is far from over.
A big thanks to my beta, MjrGenMatt and to those of you who take the time to talk with me. All of you are awesome people, but I'm sure you knew that already! ;)
I feel like I had more to say this time, but I don't remember what I wanted to talk about so oh well, see you at the next chapter. My target is to get two, maaaaaybe three, updates in before the year turns. But we'll see…