Time for Ash to confront something that he noticed before. It's been long enough of a wait, but Ash is going to discover a new ability he has this chapter. Hope you don't mind that he has this ability.

(Chapter 8: The Claw That Clicks)

It was a quiet night at the Indigo Plateau. Most of the competing trainers were fast asleep in their hotel rooms, but not Ash. Ash was wide awake on his bed in his hotel room, unable to sleep. He was just too excited about the competition to sleep. He turned around in his bed and looked at where Pikachu and Dratini were sleeping.

However, when he looked over, he noticed that it wasn't two Pokemon sleeping beside him, but just one, his Dratini. He instantly thought, "Where is Pikachu?"

His eyes darted around the room and soon focused on the light seeping into his room through the an open door. At that moment, Pikachu walked into the room with a tired smile on his face, hit the door with his tail, closing it. He then quickly climbed onto Ash's bed and snuggled beside him.

Ash looked at the electric rodent and quietly said, "Where did you go Pikachu?"

Pikachu just squeaked his name out loud, but Ash heard, "In the park."

Ash just stared in confusion at the half-asleep mouse and remembered other times that he heard his Pokemon's voices. From the time he heard Squirtle during his Viridian Gym match, to the time he heard Pikachu when he fought off Cassidy and that other guy. Was it possible that he was beginning to understand his Pokemon? He knew he wasn't born with that ability, and it only began happening after the incident at New Island. Was it possible that this was a side-effect of his revival?

Ash decided to test the waters and said to Pikachu, "Where in the park?"

Pikachu eyes instantly shot open and he stared at Ash in realization that Ash had replied to what it said earlier. Ash took this as a sign that he was not going crazy, and indeed understood what Pikachu said.

Ash then told Pikachu, "I keep hearing voices around you guys, but not all the time. I feel like the incident at New Island might be the cause."

Pikachu nodded and squeaked his name a few times. Ash on the other hand, heard, "Maybe."

Ash flopped down on his pillow and sighed. "So much cool stuff has happened since then. From my father to meeting Lance. I wonder where our journey will take us in the future."

Pikachu snuggled up to Ash's arms and said, "Me too."

Ash then smiled at Pikachu and said, "Whatever is happening, soon we are going to battle in the Indigo League. We should probably get some sleep. We can think about our future journey after we win the Indigo League."

Pikachu nodded and said, "Sounds like a plan!"

Soon, the two joined Dratini in dreamland.

The next morning, Ash, Pikachu and Dratini sat at a table in the Pokemon Center along with Brock and Misty, planning Ash's team for his first match in the tournament. On the display in the center, it showed that Ash's first battle was in the afternoon, against a trainer who called themselves, Mandi the Astounding, in the Water Arena. Ash saw this as a perfect opportunity to use his Krabby and his friends reluctantly agreed. They knew Krabby was trained, but it had never battled before, so the decision could be good, or bad.

After receiving his Krabby, and picking Squirtle and Pikachu as his other two Pokemon for the first round, Ash still had the entire morning to prepare for his afternoon battle. He spent the time alone from his friends, secretly talking to his Pokemon. He wanted to understand his Pokemon better and learn all about them to strengthen their bonds.

Around noon, Ash walked out of the Pokemon Center with his Pokemon on his shoulders. Brock and Misty were outside, talking to each other about the care of water Pokemon while they watched a screen that showed a recently won battle in the Ice Field. Ash saw the winner and smiled, it was Gary who won and he was boasting to the press about his win.

"Well naturally, winning your first battle is always important. Of course in every Pokemon match, there has to be a winner and there has to be a loser. The trainer's I know are real winners, but still won't beat me!"

Ash was about to walk to his friends, until he heard a voice nearby, "Looks like my opponent is just some rookie kid, no way will he beat me, Mandi the Astounding!"

Ash turned around and saw his first opponent in the Indigo League, a man in his early 20's with long green hair and wearing what looked like part of a juggler's costume. He was surrounded with an audience of fans, performing magic tricks, while boasting about his battle prowess. Ash saw the arrogant look on Mandi's face and grimaced. He was not going to lose to someone like him.

He then yelled, "We'll see about that Mandi!"

Mandy turned to Ash's direction and smirked arrogantly, "As if, I, Mandi the Astounding, will easily take you out, tough luck kid!"

Misty and Brock noticed the commotion and before a fight could start, they took Ash away from the situation.

(A few hours later)

Ash was sitting in the waiting room of the water arena. He was watching 2 trainers battling on a screen. After those two trainers battled, he would be up next. Brock and Misty were beside him, acting as coaches for the battle. Ash didn't want to mess up his first time in a Pokemon League.

Soon, the green side trainer took out his opponents final Pokemon. The trainers left the arena and an announcement was made inside the waiting room.

"Would Ash Ketchum and Mandi Komu please enter the Water Arena."

Misty sighed and smiled at Ash, "Well, it's time to go. Let's see if our Water training was worth it!"

Ash nervously looked forward and said, "Hopefully it was. I hope I don't mess up."

Brock turned to Ash and said, "You will be fine, we have all seen you battle before, you aren't exactly a beginner anymore. You picked your Pokemon for the situation and you trained them quite well. It's not like you are throwing a freshly caught and untrained Krabby at your opponent."

Ash smiled, "Thanks Brock. Now let's do this!"

With those words said, the trio stood up and entered the arena, Brock and Misty staying on the coaches bench with Dratini, who was still sleeping, while Ash and Pikachu walked up to the competitors platform. The field was a circular pool with 5 floating pontoons. It was clear that Water type Pokemon had a clear advantage on the terrain.

Mandi was already at the other side of the field. He arrogantly said, "It's showtime. Ash, time for me to show you my magic!"

Ash quickly countered and said, "Well I have a few tricks of my own. I'll show you I'm not just some twerp!"

Suddenly, the announcer interrupted the two, "For our next battle on the Water Field, it will be a battle between Ash Ketchum on the green side and Mandi the Astounding on the red side. Ash Ketchum is joined by his coaches, as he faces off against one of the most popular League Challengers!"

The crowd roared in anticipation. Meanwhile the referee spoke up, "This will be a 3 on 3 battle with substitutions. Are you both ready?"

Mandi and Ash nodded.

The referee then yelled, "Then let the battle begin!"

(ASH VERSUS MANDI)

[3 v 3]

Ash quickly took Krabby's Pokeball and threw it onto one of the floating pontoons, releasing the Crab Pokemon. Mandi pulled out his own Pokeball and threw it on another pontoon.

"Go Krabby/Exeggutor!" They yelled.

Exeggutor came out onto the pontoon. It looked like a coconut tree with legs and three coconuts for heads.

Mandi quickly commanded, "Let's take this battle early, use your magnificent Psychic attack!"

Exeggutor stood on the pontoon in silence, while the eyes on it's three heads began to glow a faint blue.

Ash noticed this and remembered his battle against Sabrina. Suddenly, he got an idea and said, "Krabby jump into the pool, make it lose its concentration on you!"

Mandi smirked and said, "That won't work! My Exeggutor won't let that happen!"

Krabby ran towards the water but then, a faint blue glow surrounded it and threw it into the air. He tried to struggle free from the invisible grip, but just squirmed helplessly in the air. Exeggutor held still, concentrating his psychic energy onto Krabby, forcing it to stay airborne.

Ash looked at Exeggutor and saw another way to stop it's concentration. "Krabby, Leer Attack!"

Krabby heard his trainers command and leered at Exeggutor with as much power as it could. Evidently, Exeggutor saw this and stepped backwards in fear, losing his concentration for a second, which Krabby used to dive underwater, forcing Exeggutor to lose sight of it, cancelling out any other psychic attacks.

Brock yelled out from the coaches bench, "Alright! Ash managed to escape that Psychic attack!"

Mandi just smirked and said, "Exeggutor, Egg Bomb attack! Displace the water and hit it with Leech Seed when it gets flung out of the water!"

Exeggutor launched a bunch of explosive eggs into the air, which exploded in contact with the water, creating tons of waves and splashing that didn't faze Exeggutor. The announcer also noticed this and commented, "Well folks, it seems that Mandi has trained his Exeggutor well, showcasing it's powerful Psychic and Grass type properties!"

Mandi arrogantly smirked and closed his eyes to listen to the audience cheer for him. But this proved to be a mistake as Ash launched another attack. "Krabby use Vice Grip!"

Mandi quickly opened his eyes, losing composure for a bit before saying, "Hah! Exeggutor! Now is the time for that Leech Seed you prepared!"

Exeggutor had already charged up the attack and began using it's three heads to look around for Krabby. It was ready to fire at any moment.

Ash just grinned, confusing Mandi. Suddenly, Krabby jumped out of the water and lunged with it's claw towards Exeggutor. Exeggutor expected it and shot it's seed at Krabby. But to Mandi and Exeggutor's surprise, the claw was not directly aimed at Exeggutor, but at the Leech Seed, cutting it in half. Misty smirked. She remembered teaching Krabby how it could cut down Grass-type attacks with it's powerful pincers.

Ash cheered and yelled, "Our Grass-Type defense worked! Alright! Krabby, Stomp it now!"

Krabby used the momentum it already had, jumping out of the water, ready to stomp on Exeggutor.

Mandi quickly said, "What a fool, show them the magic of Reflect!"

Ash heard that and cried, 'Oh no! Krabby look out!"

Krabby was too slow and stomped on Exeggutor, who had covered itself in a light green shield, cutting the damage, leaving it unfazed. Exeggutor then shook Krabby off itself, knocking it down onto the pontoon, vulnerable.

Ash saw this and thought, "That Exeggutor is just too strong, none of Krabby's moves can compete with those psychic attacks and defences." he then yelled, "Krabby return."

However, Krabby simply gestured and said, "NO!, I CAN TAKE HIM."

Ash sighed and said, "Alright, I guess not then. Try a Crabhammer!"

Mandi laughed and yelled, "Foolish boy, now Exeggutor, give them an encore with Psychic again!"

Krabby's claw began to glow but it never came near Exeggutor as it was lifted up into the air again, out of reach. This time, Exeggutor continued to fling it around in the air, causing damage.

Ash panicked and said, "Gah! Krabby, get out of there! Leer!"

Mandi smirked and said, "Not this time boy, Exeggutor, close your eyes!"

Exeggutor was all too happy to oblige, closing its eyes as Krabby tried to leer at it. While the attack had no effect, Mandi realized his mistake. Without it's eyes open, Exeggutor couldn't focus on Krabby.

Ash took the opportunity and said, "Alright, all or nothing Krabby, Stomp it an angle, knock it into the pool!"

After Exeggutor closed its eyes, Krabby lunged at it with its own feet, smashing into Exeggutor's face, which knocked it backwards. It cried out in pain and tripped off the edge of the pontoon, falling into the water.

Mandi looked in shock and cried out, "What? Exeggutor no!"

The announcer took the chance and said, "What a comeback, Ketchum has knocked his opponents Pokemon into the water!"

Misty and Brock saw this and cheered. The crowd followed suit.

Ash saw his chance and victory and yelled, "Alright Krabby! Crabhammer it over and over! Use the water to attack it from every angle!"

Misty happily commented, "Yes! Exeggutor can't escape Krabby now! He has a clear shot!"

Exeggutor squirmed in the water, trying to reach the pontoon, but couldn't due to its lack of arms. Suddenly, Krabby jumped behind it and smashed it into the side of the pontoon with a Crabhammer, then swimming around Exeggutor, striking it from every angle. Exeggutor cried out in pain as it took the barrage of attacks head on. Eventually, Krabby jumped out of the water and did one last Crabhammer to Exeggutors head. This hit knocked it out.

The referee raised his flag and yelled, "Exeggutor is unable to battle. Krabby is the winner!"

The crowd cheered and the announcer yelled, "Spectacular! Rookie Trainer Ash Ketchum has knocked out his opponents Pokemon with cunning strategy. Huh? Whats this?!"

Suddenly, Krabby began to glow a bright white, growing in size and changing the shape of its body and claws.

Mandi cried out, "No way!"

Ash cheered and said, "Alright! Krabby is evolving!"

Kingler emerged from the light and said to his trainer, "Keep me in! Lets see this NEW POWER! I FEEL AMAZING!"

Mandy quickly returned his Pokemon and commented, "Beginners luck! Let's see how your Kingler faces against my speedy Seadra!"

He threw another ball and sent out his Seadra into the water. Seadra was a very spiky Pokemon that resembled a blue seahorse. Kingler just stood on his pontoon, waiting for his trainer to make a move. He didn't have to wait long.

Ash yelled, "Leer Attack!"

Mandi cried out, "Time for a magic trick, Smokescreen!"

Seadra instantly let out a noxious cloud of smoke into the air, which surrounded it rendering Kingler unable to see it. Kingler's Leer attack had no effect as Kingler looked around in the moke, trying to spot Seadra.

Mandi arrogantly said, "Too bad for your Kingler, my speedy Seadra thrives in these waters, use Hydro Pump!"

From the cloud of smoke, Seadra suddenly emerged and leaped above Kingler, firing a Hydro Pump at it. Kingler quickly stepped out of the way of the attack and jumped into the water in pursuit of the seahorse Pokemon.

Ash saw Seadra move around and decided the best course of action was to stop it from moving.

"Kingler catch it with Vice Grip!"

Kingler dove underwater, out of sight as Seadra sped across the water's surface. Suddenly, it sprang up in front of Seadra and tried to grab it with his claw. Mandy was quick to retaliate. "Agility!"

Seadra instantly sped across the pool, avoiding the Vice Grip attack as it swirled and circled Kingler.

Misty and Brock watched the second battle, worried about Ash and Kingler. Seadra had range and speed, which gave Kingler no chance to fight back. Ash had to think of something, or else it would outlast Kingler.

Ash quickly yelled, "Kingler get back onto the pontoon!"

Mandi saw this and took the opportunity, "Seadra, Hydro Pump attack!"

Ash watched in shock as Seadra fired a Hydro Pump, striking Kingler as it climbed onto the pontoon. The blast knocked it into the wall, but it was still able to battle. Mandi smirked and said, "Your Kingler is no match for my Seadra! Finish it with Whirlpool!"

With Kingler back in the water, Seadra began to spin and a whirlpool began to form around himself. Kingler slowly began to get drawn into the whirlpool.

But to everyone's surprise, Ash just grinned. Soon Misty and Brock realized why Ash was grinning. Ash then said to Mandi, "Mandi, looks like you made an Astounding mistake! Seadra has nowhere to run!"

Mandi's eyes widened in realization, "Oh no! Seadra escape quickly!"

Ash yelled out, "Kingler, ride the whirlpool and Vice Grip it!"

Seadra stopped spinning and began to swim away, until it realized it was still in a whirlpool. Then, Kingler came in, riding the whirlpool and snagged Seadra with a tight Vice Grip as the water began to calm down. Seadra wriggled and struggled, but Kingler kept it's grip on it's opponent.

Ash smiled, his opponent made a mistake due to his arrogance and now he would pay. "Kingler throw Seadra onto a pontoon and Stomp it!"

Kingler began to wind up it's claw and then it threw Seadra onto a nearby pontoon. Seadra flopped on the surface, trying to escape back into the water, but it was too slow. Kingler jumped out of the water and stomped Seadra with all its weight.

Mandi growled and yelled, "I am not out of tricks boy, Hydro Pump, escape into the water!"

Using the momentum from its own Hydro Pump, Seadra launched itself off of the pontoon and back into the water.

Mandi smirked and commanded, "Now use Agility!"

Seadra rose up to the water surface and began to quickly swim around the area avoiding contact with Kingler. Ash quickly countered, "Kingler! Jump in and use Leer!"

Kingler jumped into the water and leered at Seadra which stopped in fear and from tiredness. Ash took note of that and decided to finish the battle.

Mandi panicked and quickly said, "Hydro Pump again!"

Ash smirked and yelled, "Seadra is tired, Vice Grip it and throw it back onto the pontoon!"

Kingler began to swim towards the tired Seadra which fired Hydro Pumps at its opponent. Kingler dodged all of them and grabbed Seadra, throwing it back onto the pontoon. On the pontoon, Seadra struck Kingler with a Hydro Pump as it climbed up, but that didn't faze it at all.

Ash called his final command, "Kingler Stomp it!"

Kingler grabbed Seadra, jumped into the air and threw it down onto the pontoon with a ton of force. Then it stomped on Seadra with as much power as it could manage, finally knocking it out.

Mandi cried out, "I can't believe it!"

The referee called out, "Seadra is unable to battle, Kingler is the winner!"

The crowd cheered and Brock and Misty joined in with them.

Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu were doing a small victory dance, shouting, "Two down one more to go!"

Misty sighed, "At least Ash isn't nervous anymore."

Brock said in reply, "Yeah and he is doing great!"

The announcer took the opportunity to get a few words of his own in, "Well, Ketchum has knocked out two of his opponents Pokemon. Can Mandi make a magical comeback?"

Mandi confidently said, "He can and he will."

This shut up Ash's moment and he focused his attention back to the battle.

Mandi threw another Pokeball and cried out, "Now Pokemon fans! It's time for Golbat to battle!"

Golbat jumped out of the Pokeball and the blue and purple bat Pokemon flew took flight.

This alerted Brock and Misty. Brock cried out, "Ash! Kingler can't attack anything in the air!"

Ash reassuringly told them, "It's fine, I have a plan!"

Misty just said, "Oh boy…"

Mandi began the battle and commanded, "Golbat! Leech Life attack!"

Ash quickly commanded, "Leer and dodge!"

Mandi cackled and yelled, "Your Kingler is too slow, watch what happens boy!"

True to his word, Mandy's Golbat's fangs glowed green and it zoomed at amazing speeds towards Kingler, completely unfazed the leer tha Kingler shot towards it. Before Kingler had any time to dodge, it flew behind and bit down, draining Kinglers energy and making it cry out in pain and collapse.

Ash cried out in shock, "Kingler! No!"

Mandi quickly called out another attack, "Now Golbat, Razor Wind!"

Golbat began flapping its wings, summoning winds, preparing to throw them at Kingler. Kingler held its claws down and tried to stand back up.

Ash quickly said, "Kingler, jump into the water!"

Kingler struggled but managed to jump into the water right as Golbat shot its Razor Wind attack at it.

Mandi stared at the water and smirked, "Golbat, Wing Attack!"

Golbat did a loop in the air and its wings began to glow as it descended towards the water.

Ash saw his opportunity of attack and cried out, "Kingler! Vice Grip!"

But Mandi was one step ahead, "You fell in a trap, Poison Fang!"

Kingler shot out of the water just as Golbat got close, but Golbat easily evaded Kinglers claw and swung behind Kingler, biting into its back with a venomous bite. Kingler grimaced in pain as it fell back into the water, while Golbat flew back into the sky, avoiding the splash Kingler made.

Ash growled in frustration, but looked at Golbat and then realized something.

He quickly began initiating his new plan. "Kingler jump out of the water and onto the pontoon!"

Mandi saw this and laughed, "Giving up hiding huh? Golbat Wing Attack!"

Ash smirked and waited. Golbat quickly descended, ready to strike Kingler as it climbed onto the pontoon. Suddenly Ash yelled, "Crabhammer over and over on the water!"

Everyone in the crowd stared at Ash in confusion. Misty and Brock also stared at Ash in confusion. What was he planning?

Kingler instantly understood his trainers plan and begun hammering at the water, creating splashes and giant waves, disturbing the water quite a bit. This forced Golbat to abort its attack and fly back to a safe height.

Mandi said with a hint of annoyance, "You may have stopped my Golbat's attack, but you are still unable to attack it back! Razor Wind!"

Ash smiled and retorted, "Oh really? Kingler! Ride the waves into the air!"

Kingler suddenly stopped hammering the water and jumped in, riding a wave that he had created, dodging the Razor Wind that Golbat shot at it. The wave took him higher and higher until he was launched above Golbat.

Everyone gasped in shock. The announcer cried out, "What a stunning turnaround, Kingler used its own attack to fling itself into the air, Golbat's advantage is lost!"

Misty then realized something and yelled at Ash, "Ash! Kingler just learned Surf!"

Ash saw this and said, "Alright! Kingler, you learned Surf Attack!"

Mandi looked at the flying Kingler and yelled, "No matter! Golbat Leech Life it!"

Golbat looked up, but instantly flinched as the sunlight was in its way. Kingler had positioned itself so that from Golbat's view, he was in line with the sun. It closed its eyes, unable to handle the sunlight. Mandy gasped in shock.

Ash then yelled, "Doesn't look like Golbat can handle the sun! Kingler Stomp!"

Mandi cried out, "Oh no! Golbat open your eyes!"

Unfortunately, Golbat was still stunned from the sunlight hitting its sensitive eyes, that it couldn't dodge Kingler who slammed its feet into it, smashing Golbat into a pontoon, causing it to splash the water around it. After the devastating impact, Golbat attempted to fly off, but its wing was hurt and it couldn't fly. Kingler on the other hand, was ready to finish the battle.

But Mandy and Golbat were not finished yet. "Golbat Wing Attack!"

Ash retalitated, "Kingler Crabhammer!"

At this point the two Pokemon began to fight Wing to Claw. With his good wing, Golbat slashed and struck Kingler, while Kingler countered with his Crabhammer blocking and striking back. The two battled hard, but the injuries they held began to show, as they fought back and forth.

Ash then cried out, "Alright! Kingler finish this with Surf!"

Kingler jumped back from the fight and summoned a wave, jumping on it. With no flight to escape, Golbat was smothered by the wave and when the water parted, it was knocked out.

The referee yelled, "Golbat is unable to battle, therefore Ash Ketchum is victorious!"

Mandi looked at his fallen Pokemon and said, "There's no way. I'm Mandi the Astounding. How could I lose?"

Ash looked at the scoreboard in shock. 3 - 0. He won. He jumped in joy, "Alright! We won!"

The crowd cheered, and Ash jumped onto the field to hug Kingler, who enjoyed the affection. Ash quickly returned Kingler, took Pikachu and left the field to join Misty and Brock.

The announcer made his comment as well, "Incredible, Rookie Ash Ketchum has just scored a stunning victory without changing Pokemon once!"

Ash quickly ran to the coaches box and Misty and Brock clapped for him. They left the field together to go back to their room to relax.

Ash walked out of the stadium and thought to himself, "I won the first round! My goal of becoming a Pokemon Master is getting closer and closer!"

Alright, Ash has won his first battle. I wanted his battles to not just be two Pokemon fighting each other, but involve the crazy strategies that Ash usually uses. The next few rounds will be just as intense, and possibly just as long. Please review and help me make this story better. And don't think I forgot about Team Rocket, they will be back. Trust me. :)

Also I will be putting up a poll on my profile page for Ash's Dratini. Personally, I am conflicted about whether I should evolve it or not. So I'm having the readers vote.