Ch.4: Tag Battle & Confrontation
A few minutes have passed and those chosen to battle Ash and one of the Alola Elite Four members were Cynthia and Lucian, who the Sinnoh Champion chose as her partner. As for Ash, he has chosen Bonnie to be his partner in the exhibition Tag Battle. The four trainers were now on the battlefield, ready for an exciting battle.
In the audience, Ash's former friends were smirking as they knew that Ash and Bonnie will be defeated as Cynthia was one of the strongest trainers in the world.
However, two people from Ash's past had concerned expressions. These were Serena and Delia. They were still trying to face the fact that Ash was the Alola Region Champion, and also had a girlfriend. Seeing him together with Lillie broke Serena's heart and she tried her best to stop herself from crying. She was about to break down when she heard President Goodshow talking.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for this exhibition Tag Team Pokémon Battle to begin. In the green corner are Ash and Bonnie and the red corner are Cynthia and Lucian," said Goodshow. "Each trainer will use 1 Pokémon and the battle will be over when all Pokémon on one side are unable to continue. Are the trainers ready?" Ash, Bonnie, Cynthia and Lucian nodded and Goodshow smiled. "Bring out your Pokémon."
"Garchomp, get ready," said Cynthia as she brought out her Ground/Dragon–type.
"Gallade, let's go," said Lucian as he brought out his Fighting/Psychic–type.
"Chesnaught, come on out," said Bonnie as she brought the Kalos Grass/Fighting–type starter out.
"Mermaid, I choose you," said Ash as he brought the Alola Water/Fairy–type starter out.
"Let the battle between Primarina and Chesnaught, and Garchomp and Gallade begin," said Goodshow and the battle got underway.
"Garchomp, use Dragon Rush on Chesnaught," said Cynthia.
"Gallade, use Leaf Blade on Primarina," said Lucian.
"Chesnaught, use Spiky Shield," said Bonnie.
"Mermaid, get behind the shield and use Sparkling Aria," said Ash.
Garchomp and Gallade charged for their respective opponents and Chesnaught formed a Spiky Shield while Mermaid got behind the shield and began forming an orb of water. Because of Spiky Shield, Garchomp couldn't hit Chesnaught while it took damage from the direct contact. Unfortunately, with Mermaid behind the Spiky Shield, Gallade also received damage from Spiky Shield. With the two Pokémon recovering from Spiky Shield, Mermaid fired her Sparkling Aria, which struck both Garchomp and Gallade.
"Let's try a different approach," suggested Cynthia and Lucian nodded. "Garchomp, use Draco Meteor on Chesnaught."
"Gallade, use Psycho Cut on Primarina," said Lucian.
"Mermaid, use Psychic on Draco Meteor and send it back at Garchomp and Gallade," said Ash.
"Chesnaught, use Seed Bomb to counter that Psycho Cut," said Bonnie.
Gallade fired a Psycho Cut at Mermaid, which was countered by Chesnaught's Seed Bomb. Meanwhile, Garchomp launched its Draco Meteor in the air, which exploded into several small meteors, which Mermaid countered with Psychic and sent them back at Garchomp and Gallade, hitting them both.
"Chesnaught, immobilize them with Leech Seed," said Bonnie. Chesnaught fired a double Leech Seed, which brought Gallade and Garchomp to their knees. Bonnie then looked at Ash with smile. "They're all yours."
"Thanks, Bonnie," said Ash and looked at Mermaid. "Mermaid, let's take them out." He placed a Primarium Z on his bracelet and did some sort of dance. "Use Oceanic Operetta!"
Mermaid stood on her tail and a large bubble began forming on the tip of her nose. When the bubble was large enough, she slowy guided it towards Garchomp and Gallade. Both Pokémon were sucked inside and then the bubble exploded, sending Garchomp and Gallade crashing into the wall behind Cynthia and Lucian. The force of the explosion of Oceanic Operetta was strong enough to knock them out.
"Both Garchomp and Gallade are unable to battle. Chesnaught and Mermaid are the winners," announced the referee.
Everyone began cheering, while the rest of the champions, Ash's former friends, Delia, Professor Oak and Serena just looked in shock. No one has ever been able to defeat Cynthia just like that. They were still wondering what that move Ash told Primarina to use after that weird dance was.
"And after demonstrating the power of the Z–Moves, Ash and Bonnie take the win," said Goodshow and the audience cheered even louder.
"And we still remain undefeated," said Bonnie as she returned Chesnaught to his PokéBall.
"I swear, we hardly get any challenges these days," said Ash as he returned Mermaid to her PokéBall.
Then, they went up to Cynthia and Lucian and shook hands with them. After that, they exited the arena and Ash told Bonnie that he'll meet her, Lillie, Lila, Trip and Paul at the Pokémon Center.
Unknown to them, Ash's former friends also exited the arena and followed the Pallet Town trainer.
A few minutes later, Ash was walking down a path that led to his and Lillie's house in the mountain, with Pikachu on his shoulder and Greninja next to him. He was near it when he heard a familiar voice.
"Hey there, Katchum," said the voice and he turned around, and saw all his former friends.
"What do you want," asked Ash, annoyed. Pikachu's cheeks sparkled and Greninja formed two purple blades in his hands.
"We just wanted to see the so–called Alola Champion," said Misty.
"Quit playing games, guys. I'm not that stupid kid from 3 years ago," said Ash. "I came here, because our house is near so you better tell me what do you really want."
"'Our' house," asked Max.
"Where have you earlier? By 'our', I mean my and Lillie's house," said Ash, starting to get annoyed.
"You mean you and your girlfriend have a house near here," asked May.
"Yes. We can't be always at the Aether Foundation so we come here from time to time," said Ash and then glared at his former friends. "Now, I'm gonna ask you this one more time. What do you want?"
"Okay, you got us. We actually came here to take your Pokémon. They deserve better trainers than you," sighed Brock.
"Why am I not surprised," Ash asked himself and looked at the traitors. "So you guys think that I'll just give you my Pokémon? Man, even Team Rocket are smarter than that. At least they know when they're defeated."
"What!? How dare you say that? We're nothing like Team Rocket," exclaimed Max angrily.
"Of course you're not. They might be pretty stupid from time to time, but at least they're not some stubborn idiots," smirked Ash.
"Alright, that's it! You and me, 3–on–3 right now," said Max angrily.
"Fine by me. Just don't go crying to your sister when I beat you," said Ash.
"Good, it'll be my pleasure to defeat you," said Max, confidently.
"I'll be the referee," said Clemont and got between the two trainers while the others got behind Max to cheer him on. "This will be a 3–on–3 Pokémon battle between Ash and Max. The battle will be over when all 3 Pokémon on one side are unable to continue. Trainers, please send out your first Pokémon."
"Mightyena, let's go," said Max as he brought out his Mightiena.
"Lycanroc, I choose you," said Ash as he brought out his Dusk–Lycanroc.
"Let the battle begin," said Clemont.
"Mightyena, use Crunch," said Max.
"Lycanroc, use Counter and then Accelerock," said Ash.
Mightyena struck Lycanroc with Crunch, but the 'Wolf Pokémon' hit it back with Counter, followed by Accelerock.
"Stay strong, Mightyena," said Max as Mightyena struggled to get on its feet.
"Not gonna happen. Use Accelerock once more," said Ash. Lycanroc's body glowed white and slammed itself into Mightyena, sending the dark–type crashing into a tree, knocking it out.
"Mightyena is unable to battle. Lycanroc is the winner," announced Clemont nervously.
"Mightyena, return. Kirlia, let's go," said Max as he returned his dark–type and brought out his psychic/fairy–type. "Use Psyshock!"
"Dodge it and use Swords Dance, followed by Crunch," said Ash.
Kirlia fired its Psyshock, but Lycanroc avoided it and raised its attack with Swords Dance, and struck Kirlia with Crunch, lowering its defense.
"Kirlia, use Magical Leaf," said Max.
"Counter with Fire Fang and then use Stone Edge," said Ash.
Kirlia fired its Magical Leaf, but Lycanroc protected itself with Fire Fang and then struck Kirlia hard with Stone Edge, knocking it out.
"Kirlia is unable to battle. Lycanroc is the winner," said Clemont, even more nervous.
"Kirlia, return," said Max as he then glared at Ash. "You think you're so tough? Get ready for my strongest Pokémon! Grovyle, let's go!"
"This'll be easy," sighted Ash.
"Grovyle, use Leaf Blade," said Max.
"Lycanroc, use Fire Fang," said Ash.
Grovyle went to struck Lycanroc with Leaf Blade, but the rock–type was faster and bit Grovyle with Fire Fang.
"We won't back down! Grovyle, use Dragon Breath," said Max.
"Dodge it and use Accelerock," said Ash.
Grovyle fired its Dragon Breath, but Lycanroc dodged it and hit the grass–type with Accelerock.
"Hang in there, Grovyle," said Max,
"Game over," said Ash as he put his Lycanium Z into his bracelet and did a different dance from before. "Use Splintered Stormshards!"
Lycanroc's eyes glowed red and the ground broke around it, causing shards of rocks got thrown into the air and flew upwards. Lycanroc then jumped up with the shards as they stopped and pointed towards Grovyle, before Lycanroc and the shards shot towards it. Lycanroc landed on the ground behind Grovyle while the shards struck the grass–type, knocking it out.
"Grovyle is unable to battle. Lycaroc wins, which means the victory goes to Ash," said Clemont as Lycanroc's eyes turned back to green.
"Was this battle supposed to prove something," asked Ash.
"That wasn't fair! You cheated! You told Lycanroc to use unexciting moves, like Accelerock and Splintered Stormshards," complained Max.
"Everybody, who lives in Alola knows that Accelerock is a move that two forms of Lycanrock can use, and Splintered Stormshards is Lycanroc's signature Z–Move, but it works if Lycanroc knows Stone Edge, so stop whining like a little kid," said Ash firmly. "I suggest you learn more if you want to be as good as everyone else is!"
"How can you say that, Ash," asked May angrily.
"Say what? The truth," said Ash and turned to leave. "If we're done here, I have more important things to do than deal with you. I'll see you at the tournament. I suggest you prepare yourselves."
With that, he left his former friends stunned at what just happened and what Ash just said. They knew that Lycanroc was one of Ash's newest Pokémon and if a Pokémon that was his for three years was that strong, they couldn't imagine how strong were the rest of his Pokémon, especially Charizard and Pikachu.
Ash was almost at the house when he saw Greninja tensing up a little.
"Greninja, what is it," asked Ash.
"There's someone behind that bush," said Greninja, gesturing to a nearby bush.
"Go check it out. We'll be right behind you," said Ash and Greninja nodded and ran towards the bush.
When he got there, he stood in front of something, or in this case someone he didn't expect to see. He was standing in the way of none other than Serena. The moment he saw her, he formed a Night Slash in his left hand.
"No, please, don't hurt me," pleaded Serena as slowly walked backwards until she bumped into someone. She turned and saw Ash staring at her.
"What are you doing here? Were you spying on me," asked Ash coldly, which made Serena nervous.
"No, I swear. I wasn't spying on you. I just watched your battle with Max and–," started Serena when tears started to form in her eyes and began to sob. "I just wanted to talk to you."
"About what," asked Ash.
"About what happened three years ago. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what I did," said Serena as she sobbed, taking Ash by surprise.
"The why did you do it," asked Ash. "Why did you betray me?"
"I–I had no choice. They forced me," sobbed Serena. "Clemont threatened me that he'll make sure I can't perform ever again and to sell my Pokémon to the black market. Please, believe me."
She couldn't hold it anymore and started to fall to the ground when she felt arms around her. She looked up and saw Ash holding her and then hugged her.
"It's okay. I believe you," said Ash softly and ran his fingers through her hair and she broke down, and cried against his chest. Ash then looked at Greninja and gave him a nod, signaling him that it wasn't a trick and the water/dark–type withdrew the dark blade.
"He also threatened me that he and the other boys were going to–to rape–rape me," cried Serena and Ash felt his blood boiling with anger towards the traitors. They were going to rape his childhood friend? That just wouldn't happen!
"They won't hurt you, Serena. I promise," said Ash as he continued to hug the crying girl. "Not while I'm around. I won't let them hurt you!"
That was enough to make Serena smile for the first time in three years.
"Thank you," said Serena with a smile and looked up at Ash. "I promise I won't do something like that again. I swear on my life."
"I forgive you," said Ash as he pulled away from the hug and kissed Serena on the cheek, taking her by surprise.
"You just kissed me," said Serena and Ash nodded. "But what about your girlfriend?"
"Don't worry about it. Lillie has seen me kiss other girls so she'll understand," said Ash as he started to walk away when he turned to her. "What are you standing there for? Let's go."
"You want me to come with you," asked Serena, surprised by the offer.
"Yeah, now come on. Lillie and I have a house 200m from here. I just need to grab something and then we'll go back to the Pokémon Center," said Ash and Serena smiled, and followed Ash and his Pokémon to the house.
To be continued…
Hi, everyone. You didn't expect that ending, did you? This will be the last chapter for 2018. I hope you enjoyed it. By the way, here are the ages of the traitors and Serena:
Brock – 25
Misty – 19
Delia – 41
Tracey – 20
May – 20
Max – 13
Dawn – 19
Barry – 20
Cilan – 24
Iris – 20
Clemont – 21
Sawyer – 19
Serena – 20
I'll see you all next time. Until then, have a nice day.
R&R