Hey folks, here we are, the penultimate battle that you have all doubtless been waiting for.
So you all saw the reveal for Pokemon Sword and Shield yet? I'm sure looking forward to Gen 8 and seeing what this next region is potentially about to bring. Are there future adventures in Galar coming soon? Well that is probably going to depend on inspiration. Assuming that things go well and it releases this winter, things will probably still be pretty fresh and everything I do then will probably be based on a big guess for what could potentially happen in that region. Yeah, pretty much "Love on the Water" all over again at that point.
Well I know you're all sitting here waiting with great anticipation for what there is to witness, so let's give this story a climactic battle that it deserves shall we?
Chapter 32: Unleash the Dragon
Ash felt himself tense slightly as he made his way down the line of braziers one more time. He knew that this was going to be the final battle of the initiation before he would be able to claim his place in the Dragon Clan. More importantly, to keep Clair where she wanted to be for the rest of her life. He thought back to the promise he made her last night when he remembered how she was going to demand nothing less than his absolute dedication to becoming the winner tonight and displaying whatever the fifth virtue of the Dragon Clan was.
It was with all of this in mind that Ash told himself, "It's time to prove myself. Time to face whatever's coming I guess. I won't be able to avoid this by just waiting out here." He walked forward a few more steps before he found himself in the center of the battlefield once again and kept his Pokémon at his side. He had his hand ready to reach for the first Poké ball he could reach for and waited for the moment where the final battle was about to begin.
Ash felt a little tension rise from his shoulders when he heard the Dragon Elder announce, "To all who bare witness, the final night of the Tástáil is now to begin. Let the next challenger step forward to test him."
It didn't take long before Ash was given a view of his final challenger making his way onto the field. The man he was about to face being the only other trainer he could have expected to be a worthy final challenger other than the Elder himself. The young man stepped forward and brushed his cape as he made himself known to the rest of the field for the final battle to begin. "I am Lance of the Grayson family. To this request for initiation, do I offer my challenge."
The Elder announced, "Let both trainers step back and face one another to let the next battle begin."
Ash turned away from Lance as both trainers walked to their opposing sides before Ash was at the edge and facing his opponent's direction. He then heard the Elder announce, "So begins the final battle of the Tástáil! Both trainers fight!"
Lance was the first to prepare his Poké ball when he announced, "Altaria!"
Ash was next when he prepared his own and announced, "Salamence!"
Both trainers at the same time ordered, "I chose you!"
Across the field, both the quadruped dragon and the cloud dressed blue avian Pokémon faced one another waiting for the first order from their respective trainers. Ash gave the first order, "Salamence! Anáil Dragan!" Salamence took aim at the Altaria and fired a light blue beam from his mouth towards his opponent.
Lance responded to the attack by ordering, "Altaria! Dragan Pulse!" Altaria formed a ball of multicolored energy in his mouth and fired a multicolored dragon-shaped beam of energy towards Salamence. The two attacks collided with one another in a mighty beam lock as the collision of energies pushed and struggled to overcome one another. After a few moments, the two attacks caused a mighty explosion across the field and sent a gust of wind from the collision.
As soon as the eruption subsided, Lance took advantage of the situation when he ordered, "Altaria! Moonblast! Gealach Blast!" Altaria gathed energy from the moon above him as it formed an orb of pink energy in front of its mouth and fired towards Salamence.
Recognizing how deadly the attack would be, Ash ordered, "Salamence! Eitilt!" Salamence flapped his wings before soaring into the air at a mighty speed. Just as Salamence made a soar into the air above, Altaria fired a pink beam towards the flying dragon. Ash looked up and saw Salamence was soaring across the skies and avoiding the Moonblast attack that followed him.
Just as the beam attack subsided, Salamence made a mighty dive to the ground where Altaria was located. Altaria took advantage of Salamence's focus as he prepared to make another Moonblast attack. Salamence crashed directly in front of Altaria and ducked beneath the second Moonblast attack but Ash knew that he had to take advantage of the window he now had. He ordered, "Salamence! Eireaball dragan!" Salamence's tail became covered in a green, scale-pattered aura before making a fast twirl and connecting with Altaria.
Altaria flew back wards having taken the first bit of damage that he could endure, but managed to maintain the amount of energy necessary to fire a Moonblast towards Salamence. Salamence took the attack head on as he was forced back across the ground but managed to remain standing. Both Pokémon had taken their damage but still showed determination to remain standing until the other had met their defeat.
Lance continued his offensive when he ordered, "Altaria! Spéir Ionsaí!" Altaria flew up in the air and his body became surrounded in red flames before directing himself back towards Salamence and flew towards his target.
Ash responded to the attack, "Salamence! Imeall Dúbailte!" Salamence flew up into the air before making his body glow a gold aura and forced his body into the direction of Altaria's Sky Attack. It was only another few seconds before both Pokémon once again collided into one another and tackled each other into the ground. This time two clashing auras rolled across the ground and left a trail of ash that was once grass. The sphere of light continued its roll from Lance's side, back to Ash's side, back to Lance's again before there was a final expulsion of light that flashed across the field and both Pokémon flew back from one another.
For all the damage that Altaria managed to do to Salamence, Altaria had shown much more fatigue from the recent collision. Ash then gave his final order, "Salamence! Ceann Buille!" Salamence had a new sense of determination when he lifted his head up and made a leap through the air as he prepared to crash his head right into Altaria.
Altaria flew backwards from the attack and landed right at Lance's feet. Lance bent down when he pet the head of his Pokémon when he told him, "That's fine. You were as grand as ever." With that reassurance, Altaria was returned to his Poké ball when Lance took his first loss. He stood back up when he observed the results of the battle that had recently passed. Salamence had indeed won, but was visibly damaged from the recent tumble. "That is certainly more than most trainers have been able to say against Altaria. This is far from the end however. You are next! Garchomp!"
Ash looked over his Salamence when he saw his dragon prepared to take on another fight. He encouraged, "Keep your cool Salamence. This one shouldn't be as much of a problem." Salamence offered a grunt of approval as he waited for his trainer to give the first order that he needed to hear. Ash then ordered, "Now! Anáil Dragan!" Salamence followed on the order when he fired a light blue beam towards Garchomp.
Garchomp brought up both of his curved fins in an effort to endure the attack before he was pushed back and forced to the ground. Lance saw his Pokémon was not yet defeated when he saw him quickly stand up. He honored his partner's dedication when he ordered, "Garchomp! Dé-chop!" Grachomp's claws glowed green and simultaneously slashed towards Salamence.
Salamence saw Garchomp rush towards him and raised his head in resistance. Salamence's head met with Garchomp's stomach as he managed to make a headbutt to the area but both slashes managed to slice away at Salamence's body area. Salamence was pushed back as he took another dealing of damage but managed to remain on his feet as he prepared for another attack.
Ash gave his next order, "Salamence! Dragan Claw!" Salamence's claws glowed white as he lifted his upper body in the air and made a pair of slashes towards Garchomp. Both slashes connected with Garchomp who was brought to a stagger but had yet to be completely defeated.
Lance gave his next order, "Garchomp! Dragan Rush!" Garchomp flew up into the air and the two appendages on his head glowed light blue. It was after this that his body became enveloped in a light blue aura with the same color streaks before making his way down to the ground where Salamence stood.
Ash knew Salamence wouldn't be able to take much damage unless he managed to make a very successful counterattack. He ordered, "Salamence! Hyper Beam!" Salamence opened his mouth as a purple-black ball appeared in front of his mouth and fired a beam towards the incoming Garchomp. Even when the attack hit the charging Garchomp, the Pokémon continued his charge to the ground and met with the attack head on. It was only a few seconds after that Garchomp landed into the face of Salamence and sent the dragon sinking into the ground from the blow. The force of the attack made itself evident when Ash looked into the small indentation of ground in front of him.
Ash tried to discover the state of his Pokémon when he aske, "Salamence, are you okay?" Salamence struggled to remain standing but eventually gave way to weariness and fell forward on his body from the Dragon Rush attack. It was clear at this point that there was no coming back from an attack like this, Salamence had done all of the damage that he could manage. Ash brought up his Poké ball when he told him, "That's a good job. Return buddy." Salamence returned to his Poké ball where he was given a chance to rest from the hard amount of work he had to endure.
Ash looked ahead to see Lance and his Garchomp still standing ready and waiting for what would be the next big battle waiting for them. Even though both of them were more than prepared to continue the battle he could tell that the amount of damage that his Salamence had done was beginning to show on the opponent dragon. This next opponent would be an easy one to finish with. Victory could still be obtained from what defeats he had to take.
Ash prepared his next Poké ball when he announced, "Dragonite! It's your turn to shine!" Ash's light orange, bipedal dragon stood ready for his next chance to battle as he eyed the Garchomp across from him. It was indeed about to be another dragon on dragon battle, but Ash was prepared to demonstrate something that not many Dragonite's were able to do. He ordered, "Dragonite! Bhíoma Oighir!" Receiving the order, a white ball formed in front of Dragonite's mouth before light blue beams fired towards Garchomp's area.
As the attack made its way, Garchomp flew backwards in an effort to avoid the devastating attack. As far back as Garchomp managed to fly, the effort was for naught as several shards of ice landed on Garchomp's body and sent him flying down to the ground. With a mighty thud to the ground, Garchomp landed in front of Lance with several of his joints frozen by buildups of ice. Garchomp struggled to stand up from the attack but eventually gave way to the weight that was too much for him to overcome. Lance brought out his Poké ball when he congratulated, "A fine effort Garchomp." Garchomp was returned to his Poké ball as Lance was given one final chance to prove himself the superior of the battle.
For much of the crowd, the next choice that Lance was about to make was of little surprise for his battle. He brought up his third Poké ball and told Ash, "Very admirable Ash. But do not assume that you have a total advantage. Dragonite! Show them what we are capable of!" Lance gave out his final Pokémon and two Dragonites stood in front of one another waiting for the battle to continue.
Ash was brought to a pause when he wondered what Lance meant by him not having a total advantage. "No use waiting for it I suppose. Dragonite! Bhíoma Oighir!" Dragonite gave the same ice attack a second time as he fired it towards the opposing Pokémon of his kind.
Lance took the opportunity to order his Pokémon, "Dragonite! Punt Tine!" The right fist of Lance's Dragonite became covered in red-orange flames before flapping his wings several times and launching headfirst into the Ice Beam attack that was meant for him. The beam met with his fiery hand and the attack melted into water riplets onto the ground beneath him as he continued his flight with one target in particular in his sights.
Before Ash could respond to the attack, the Fire Punch of Lance's Dragonite made its way through and pounded his own Dragonite in the mouth. Ash saw his Dragonite fall to the ground as he covered his face in an effort to disperse the flames that were threatening his will to continue to fight. Ash saw Dragonite roll backwards before standing back on his feet and waited for the next attack. Ash observed, "Looks like I can't use that again. Dragonite! Toirneach Tonn!"
Dragonite looked towards his opponent and released a stream of blue electricity from the ends of his antennae towards him. Lance was prepared again for the attack however when he ordered, "Draognite! Protect! Chosaint!" Lance's Dragonite surrounded his body with a light green barrier that pushed out to reflect against the Thunder Wave attack and avoided the threat of paralysis.
As soon as the Thunder Wave dispersed, Ash saw that the opponent Dragonite still had the barrier protecting him from harm. "Well shit. Time to break out some big guns. Dragonite! Mealladh!" As Ash's Dragonite heard the order, Dragonite's body became outlined in a red aura before charging towards the light green barrier that waited to be met with another attack. Dragonite charged and with one strike of his fist broke a hole in the barrier that waited for him. Dragonite rushed through the hole before it could close again and made a dash towards the Dragonite inside and began his series of pummels on his opponent.
When the protecting barrier dissipated, Lance saw his last chance taking damage like never before. One punch connected after another before he was sent flying across the ground and was given a brief respite of distance as he found a chance to avoid taking more damage. Lance took the open window to prepare his Dragonite with a deciding blow when he ordered, "Dragonite! Toirneach Tonn!" His Dragonite released his own stream of electricity to his opponent but was actually successful.
Despite the status of Ash's Dragonite in an Outrage attack, the Thunder Wave rendered him paralyzed and sent him falling face first into the dirt. The pain of enduring the rage that was still in his body while being paralyzed was a very difficult one for Dragonite, but Lance's Dragonite was given a perfect opportunity. Lance ordered, "Finish him! Hyper Beam!" Lance's Dragonite made his eyes glow white and formed an orange ball in front of his mouth. Dragonite then fired a beam towards his downed opponent before another explosion ruptured the battlefield from the contact of such a mighty attack.
Ash looked ahead to see the two Dragonites in the field among the smoke and saw Lance's still standing while his own was lying face first in the dirt from having endured such a mighty attack. It was easy to tell even from a distance that Ash's Dragonite was not going to be getting back up. The paralysis and the attack had become too much for him to handle. He held up his Poké ball and said, "Good job Dragonite. Return."
As Dragonite was returned to his Poké ball, the fight had now become mostly even. Both trainers were down to using one final Pokémon and Lance was relying on a true muscle of his team. Even knowing these odds however, there was nothing he could do now but prepare to use what he had left in a struggle to come out on top of this battle. "I have a lot of people betting on me coming out on top here." Ash reached for his last Poké ball when he called, "Tyrantrum! Let's get him!"
When Tyrantrum came out of his Poké ball, he stood in front of Dragonite and prepared for a battle against one of his kind. Lance was not intimidated by the sight however when he recognized what his final opponent would be. "Just a dragon like any other and just as susceptible. Dragonite! Toirneach Tonn!" Dragonite accepted the order as he released another stream of electricity towards his opponent.
Ash was prepared however as he ordered, "Tyrantrum! Sleamhnán Carraig!" Tyrantrum created white sparkles in a ring above his head before they turned into rocks with white outlines along the creases and threw the storm of rocks towards Dragonite. As the stream of electricity came towards him, one rock after another continued to fly towards Dragonite as they became the new targets the Thunder Wave was forced to strike down.
After a few seconds, Dragonite was no longer able to offer a Thunder Wave and saw the pummel of rocks threatening to clobber him. Multiple rocks of varying size attacked him one after another while he tried to endure the attack. Lance was not deterred however when he ordered, "Dragonite! Bhíoma Oighir!" Dragonite created a white ball in front of his mouth before light blue beams fired towards Tyrantrum.
Ash prepared another defensive when he ordered, "Tyrantrum! Tuama Carraign!" Tyrantrum created a red orb of energy in between his hands and threw them in the air. The orb of energy then expanded and solidified into multiple large boulders in front of him. The Ice Beam attack brushed over the boulders but did not hit Tyrantrum as Ash saw the ice build in front of his Pokémon.
In between the two Pokémon was now a mighty barrier that would prevent them from seeing one another eye to eye. Lance looked over the situation when he observed, "Quite inventive to utilize indeed. Dragonite! Superpower!" Dragonite's flexed his muscles to increase his power and became outlined in a light blue aura before launching himself towards the frozen boulders in front of him.
Ash saw his own opportunity when he ordered, "Tyrantrum! Ceann Bain!" Tyrantrum's body became surrounded in a whitish-blue aura and gave him a black and white appearance. Another second passed before Tyrantrum saw the area where Dragonite would be launching himself towards and prepared to meet his head with the oncoming attack.
The two dragon Pokémon charged forward into the boulder that separated them and made a mighty crash into one another. The boulder exploded and rocks flew everywhere that almost threw Lance and Ash off their feet while the crowd was in astonishment from the display of destructive power. Just a few seconds later, Ash was able to look through the smoke and saw one of the most encouraging signs he could have hoped for. Tyrantrum stood tall against his opponent and Dragonite was down on one knee as he struggled to maintain his preparation for the continuing battle.
Lance saw how damaged the two Pokémon had become as he prepared a desperate order to his Pokémon, "Dragonite! Hyper Beam!"
Ash responded, "Tyrantrum! Giga Impact!"
Lance's Dragonite began to summon an orange ball of energy from his mouth while a bright flash of yellow light appeared in front of his face. He then shot himself towards the Dragonite while an orb of light purple energy with spiraling light yellow streaks around it. Tyrantrum rushed himself towards his target and took aim with his head towards the Dragonite's body.
At the exact moment that Dragonite was prepared to fire his Hyper Beam towards Tyrantrum, Tyrantrum rammed his head into the mouth of Dragonite. The collision resulted in another eruption of light that momentarily blinded the sight of everyone who was watching the battle and it was left to the two trainers to wait and see who would remain standing.
Ash looked ahead into the light and tried to determine how his Tyrantrum was. A few more seconds passed and he was offered the best reward he could have asked for after the whole battle. At the center of the battlefield, his Tyrantrum stood battered and shaken, but the Dragonite beneath him had fallen over on his stomach with many more scuffs and scrapings to indicate the damage done to him.
These two things were not enough to discourage Lance from backing down from the battle however as he looked over the status of his Dragonite. He called out to him, "Dragonite! Can you stand?" Dragonite gave a small flutter of his wings before allowing them to fall down to indicate his desire to rest for what he had endured. The reality of the situation had come to take hold of Lance when he realized what he had to endure. His Dragonite had for the first time in many years, been defeated.
Lance held up his Poké ball when he announced to his Dragonite and the crowd gathered, "With this, I now admit my defeat to a worthy opponent." Both Dragonite and Tyrantrum were returned to their respective Poké balls and Ash was left to be given the moment to truly relish what he had achieved. He had defeated the Champion of the Kanto League. He wasn't the hardest challenge he faced in the tournament, but being able to achieve this much was enough to fill him with a sense of pride that he had only earned a few times before. The cheers from everyone around him and the sight of the three Dragon Clan members on the field were enough to confirm what he had just earned this day.
The Dragon Master led Lance and Clair to the area when he announced, "To all who have borne witness to this day, see that Ash Ketchum has proven himself to be worthy of the name of the Dragon Clan!"
Ash looked over to see the multitude of family members and friends who had come to see him on this day be elevated by the display and what he had just achieved. Defeating the Kanto Champion even by a hair's edge was an accomplishment few could say they were ever able to claim as their own. Ash shook himself from the moment when he took the time to do the most honorable thing between two trainers. He made his way towards Lance and offered a hand to congratulate, "That was probably one of the best matches I ever had Lance. You sure were awesome out there."
Lance accepted in a handshake when he smiled, "This sort of battle is not something that many can claim they were able to live to see Ash. With everything you have shown me, I will be more than happy to call you my brother."
Clair agreed, "I took a great chance only a few months ago. And yet seeing these last few battles alone is probably one of the most amazing things I have seen in my life."
The Dragon Elder agreed between the two of them, "Quite the display indeed. I knew that prepared the proper challengers that would awaken the virtues within you boy. And of course, as I imagined, you have shown that you have the fifth virtue in many spades Ash Ketchum. Cairdeas"
Ash agreed with the Dragon Elder's observation when he told him, "I couldn't have accomplished any of this without my friends. And it's because of that they were able to be strong enough to take on one of the biggest battles that I've ever seen. And when we stand together against even the mightiest odds, we're all able to stand tall and overcome any challenge that anyone gives us."
The Dragon Elder agreed, "That is what I imagined you would have taken from this day Ash. Through your demonstration of the five virtues and your embrace of our ways, you will be made an honorable member of our clan. And of course, my great granddaughters' hand is now yours. Something we will have to make official tomorrow won't we?"
Ash was surprised by the notion when he asked, "We're going to have a wedding tomorrow?"
Clair confirmed, "Considering that you entered this tournament with the intention of winning my hand, that is why we are going to have one very soon."
Lance agreed, "And everyone here is going to be more than happy to convert everything into the wedding ritual before the next night. I do look forward to seeing you take your place among us Ash."
Ash smiled when he agreed, "It is going to be different isn't it? I basically have a giant turning point in my life to look forward to. I don't know if I'm ready for it though."
The Dragon Elder chuckled when he told him, "We never are kiddo. But it all comes when we least demand it and we just have to chose to be overwhelmed by that turning point or see it as a chance to see us become an even greater pinnacle. That part is going to be up to you of course."
Lance added, "And from what I can understand, there are many who would envy what you are going to have waiting for you when you join us."
Ash nodded when he turned to the crowd and agreed, "That alone was all worth fighting for."
Finally a wrap isn't it? This battle sure did end up a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be, but I figured it should have been what with this being Ash taking on the freaking Kanto Champion of all people. Otherwise, just as you imagined, Ash has now achieved his place among the Dragon Clan and everyone is going to find themselves warming up to the new member of the clan. Unfortunately like I said, I sort of limited what I could add to this chapter.
So yeah, sorry that this chapter was all just a giant battle and the festivities aren't going to happen 'til next time, but at least it's coming right? At which point I can probably remind everyone what they followed this story for in the first place right? That and a great deal more are going to be coming forth as this saga continues to unfold.
Until then, I look forward to seeing you all next chapter.