I'm writing this story as I go along, so it's going to take awhile to finish it. I'm not even sure how long this story is going to be. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the next installment of "Child of Destiny". As always, comments welcome.
Part 2: The Battle Begins!
Announcer: Well, this certainly is a surprise! Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to welcome back one the world's most talented Pokemon Trainers! Please put your hands together for Ash Ketchum, the pride of Pallet Town!
Ash just stood there as the stadium roared with thunderous applause. He had forgotten what it was like to be in the spotlight. Slowly, he lifted one arm and casually waved to the crowd to acknowledge the announcers'' introduction. Up on his shoulder, his best friend Pikachu was wagging his tail happily, overjoyed to be back in public again. Ash quickly glanced around the stands. Judging by the shocked looks on most of the spectator's faces, the League President had honored his request to keep his name a secret before the match. As he turned his attention to the battlefield before him, Pikachu suddenly let out a squeal of excitement.
Pikachu: Pika Pi!
Ash: What's up, Pikachu.
The electric Pokemon pointed toward the central front row of the stands on the right side of the arena. As Ash turned his gaze there, he felt his lower jaw drop. Sitting right where Pikachu was pointing were all of his old friends, apparently to deep in conversation to notice he was starring at them. They seemed be just as surprised to see him as he was to see them, but then again they hadn't seen each other in over 7 years. Ash's focus shifted to the second row, looking over everyone there. The first person he recognized was Dawn with her Buneary. Next to her was Professor Oak, along with his assistant Tracey and his grandson Gary. Even Ash's mother was there, speaking casually with the others. Ash redirected his gaze to the front line of seats. There was May, with her little brother Max right next to her. Then there was Brock, who looked as though he had recently been hit by his Croagunk's Poison Jab attack again. Then he saw a young woman with fiery red hair.
Misty! Ash could hardly believe his eyes. It seemed she had gotten even more beautiful than she had been the last time he saw her. I was amazing. Ash suddenly felt his face become warm. He hadn't felt this way in a very long time.
He wanted to rush over there and tell her how he felt. That's when he noticed someone else. Sitting next to Misty, talking with all of his friends, was a little girl who looked to be about 6 or 7 years old. She had the same ocean blue eyes as Misty, but she also had long, jet-black hair. Ash's brain went into shock. "That girl!" he thought to himself, "She looks a lot like... No! It couldn't be, could it?!"
??: Well, if it isn't Ash Ketchum.
Ash suddenly snapped his focus back to the battlefield. Standing on the opposite side of the arena was a blonde-haired woman wearing a long black dress-coat.
Ash: Cynthia! Long time, no see!
Cynthia: So, are you ready to begin?
Ash: Let's get started!
Announcer: It seems that the combatants are ready to begin, so lets get this battle underway!
As the crowd cheered in excitement, the referee for the match walked out onto the field carrying two flags, one red, and one green. After positioning himself at the center of the left side of the battlefield, he began to announce the rules for the match.
Referee: This will be a full six on six Pokemon battle. The battle will be over when all of one trainer's Pokemon are unable to continue. The champion is forbidden from making any substitutions during the match, but the challenger may do so at any time. There will be a 30 minute break after 3 of one trainer's Pokemon are unable to continue.
Up in the stands, Misty and the others were hardly listening to a word the referee was saying. They were all trying to cope with the fact that after 7 long years without so much as one word of information about him, Ash had suddenly returned.
Max: I just can't believe this!
Dawn: 7 years without a single phone call or letter, then he just shows back up out totally out of the blue!
May: Who does he think he is?! He's had us all worried sick!
Gary: When I get my hands on him, he's going to wish he never came back!
Brock: Hey, Hey! Take it easy! Let's not get bent out of shape here!
Professor Oak: Brock's right. We can talk to Ash about how we feel later. For now, let's just sit back and enjoy the match.
Mrs. Ketchum: That's a good idea. There's no sense spoiling this perfect evening.
Let's just cheer Ash on for now. We can chew his head off about being gone so long afterwards.
Tracey: Yeah! I want to see what new tricks Ash has up his sleeve.
Misty didn't say anything. She was too stunned about Ash's sudden return to care about anything else. Chellsy kept looking around at everyone trying to figure out why they were getting so hyped up about the guy with the Pikachu.
Chellsy: Mom, what's going on? Who is that guy?
Misty seemed to come back to reality when she heard that question.
Misty: Oh, it's nothing, dear. I'll tell you about it later.
Chellsy: OK mom.
High above the stands, an electronic scoreboard flickered to life, showing both Ash and Cynthia's images.
Referee: Let the match begin!
As all heads turned to focus on battlefield, Cynthia pulled out what looked like a red & white golf ball. She pressed a button on the front and it expanded to the size of a baseball.
Cynthia: I'll start this battle off with a bang. Go, Spiritomb!
She threw the poke-ball and it opened in mid-air, releasing a burst of white light. The light zoomed down to the ground and took on the form of a purple & green ghost bound to a grey keystone. Pikachu jumped down to the ground as Ash pulled out one of his own pokeballs.
Ash: That is one tough looking Spiritomb, but let's see just how well it stands up to this guy. Go, Crawdaunt!
Ash threw the ball and in a flash of white light, out popped a large red crustacean with a yellow star-shaped head-piece.
Max: Hey, it looks like Ash's Corphish evolved.
Both Pokemon were starring each other down, each waiting for the other to make a move. Spiritomb glared menacingly as Crawdaunt snapped its pincers in excitement.
Ash: Crawdaunt, Bubblebeam!
Crawdaunt opened its claws and shot a high-velocity stream of bubbles straight at Spiritomb.
Cynthia: Dodge it!
Spiritomb flew up into the air just as the Bubblebeam was about to hit.
Cynthia: Spiritomb, use Night Shade!
From the air, Spiritomb launched a ray of dark energy from its eyes. The attack headed directly for Crawdaunt.
Ash: Iron Defense
Crawdaunt crossed its arms in front of itself and began to grow bright white. When the Night Shade attack made contact, it just bounced right off.
Cynthia: Pretty good Ash, but not good enough. Spiritomb, Shadow Ball!
Spiritomb formed a ball of shadow energy in front of it and then fired it at Crawdaunt.
Ash: Jump up and use Crabhammer!
Crawdaunt jumped into the air just before the Shadow Ball made contact, which left a crater where it had been moments ago. It then powered up its claw with energy and tried to slam the ghost Pokemon with it, but missed and fell back down to earth. Cynthia wasted no time.
Cynthia: Hypnosis, then Dream Eater!
Spiritomb started emitting waves of sleep-inducing psychic energy. Before the attack could take effect, however, Crawdaunt landed on the ground and pointed one of its claws at its opponent.
Ash: Ice Beam!
Crawdaunt opened its pincer and released a beam of cold energy straight at the ghost. The attack caught the creature off guard and hit it directly in the face. Before everyone knew it, Spiritomb was incased in a block of ice.
Ash: Now use Crabhammer!
Cynthia watched helplessly as Crawdaunt jumped back into the air and smashed its powered-up claw down on top of the frozen specter. The impact shattered the ice around it and slammed Spiritomb straight down into the ground. The ghost Pokemon tried to get back up, but failed and fell back to the floor, utterly defeated.
Referee: Spiritomb is unable to battle! Crawdaunt wins!
As the stadium erupted into a frenzy of screams and cheers, the scoreboard, which had displayed the Pokemon's pictures next to their trainers when they were released, made Spiritomb's image fade to the point where only its outline was visible. Ash was now up one to zero.
May: That was amazing!
Gary: I can't believe how fast Spiritomb went down!
Max: Yeah! When did Ash teach Crawdaunt how to use Ice Beam?
Professor Oak: That Ash is full of surprises!
Everyone was amazed at how much stronger Ash had become during his absence.
Back on the battlefield, Ash was complimenting his Pokemon on a job well done as Cynthia returned Spiritomb to its poke-ball. She smiled as she replaced it and pulled out another one.
Cnythia: I'll admit it, Ash. Your Crawdaunts strength and choice of attacks surprised me at first, but let's see if it can handle this! Go, Roserade!
She threw the ball and in a flash of light, released a green plant Pokemon with white hair and two rose bouquets for hands, one red, and one blue.
Ash knew that Crawdaunt was at a type disadvantage against Roserade, but the ruffian Pokemon slammed its claws on to the ground repeatedly, as if saying it wanted to keep going.
Ash: You want to keep battling, Crawdaunt? OK then, let's finish this quickly. Use Ice Beam!
Crawdaunt directed its pincer at its new opponent and fired another beam of icy energy at the Grass Pokemon. But just before the attack reached it, Roserade jumped out of the way.
Cynthia: Use Energy Ball!
Roserade charged up a ball of green colored energy and launched it at Crawdaunt with incredible speed. The Water Pokemon didn't have enough time to dodge and was hit by the sphere which exploded on impact. Crawdaunt was thrown backwards into a wall and fell to the ground, unable to move.
Referee: Crawdaunt is unable to battle! Roserade wins!
Ash sighed in disapointment as he recalled Crawdaunt. Back up in the stands, Misty and the others were discussing the fight thus far.
Dawn: Why did Ash keep Crawdaunt out when it was up against a grass type?
Misty: Yeah! It didn't stand a chance even with Ice Beam.
Gary: Grass Pokemon aren't exactly known for their speed. I don't think Ash was expecting Roserade to be that fast.
Max: Or that powerful. I took out Crawdaunt with just one shot. Spiritomb didn't even scratch it during the last fight.
Chellsy just sat there, watching the match. She had never seen Pokemon go at it like this before. Ash replaced Crawdaunt's poke-ball back on his belt and pulled off a second ball.
Ash: That Roserade is really fast, but I've got something even faster! I choose you, Staraptor!
He threw the poke-ball and a large black and white hawk with a black & red head crest appeared out of a flash of white light.
Dawn: Oh look! Ash's Staravia evolved, too!
Tracey: Guess he's decided to fight fire with fire, or in this case, speed with speed!
Cynthia: You think you can outrun my Roserade's speedy attacks? We'll see about that. Energy Ball!
Roserade formed another energy sphere and quickly fired it at its' new feathered foe.
Ash: Staraptor, use Fly!
With incredible speed, Staraptor soared high into the air just before the Energy Ball landed a hit. It then did a dive-bomb and flew straight for Roserade. The grass Pokemon barely managed to avoid a head-on collision with the bird.
Ash: Aerial Ace!
As Staraptor circled around to strike again, it surrounded itself with waves of energy and headed directly toward its opponent.
Cynthia: Stay and take it!
Roserade braced itself just before its flying foe slammed into it hard and pushed it backwards halfway across the field. Cynthia knew that trying to dodge that attack would have been a big mistake. Aerial Ace was one move that always hits its mark.
Ash: Now use Wing Attack!
Starapor's wings started to glow bright white. It then proceeded to whack Roserade with them over and over. Cynthia had to act fast. Her Pokemon wouldn't be able to hold out much longer under all that pressure.
Cynthia: Roserade, Petal Dance!
The crowd gasped as Roserade released a storm of pink flower petals which surrounded Staraptor and began to heavily damage it. Ash knew there was only one way to get out of this mess.
Ash: Staraptor, Brave Bird!
The offending petals where blown away as Staraptor completely engulfed itself in raw energy. It then charged straight for its attacker, zooming right through the petals that were still being fired at it. Roserade cut off its attack and tried to get away, but Staraptor was too fast and slammed head first into it. Roserade was launched up into the air, and everyone's eyes followed as it fell back down to the ground, and moved no more.
Referee: Roserade is unable to battle! Staraptor wins!
The crowd screamed with joy as the second of Cynthia's Pokemon lay beaten on the floor. The reining champion recalled the defeated grass type to its poke-ball, and then let out a hearty laugh.
Cynthia: I have to say Ash; I haven't had a battle this fun in years! You're a real challange!
Ash: Thanks, but this isn't exactly easy for me, ether!
Cynthia: Then I say we kick things up a notch! Go, Gastrodon!
She immediately brought out another poke-ball and lobbed it while pressing the enlargement button. The ball opened to reveal a large, pink, slug-like Pokemon.
Dawn: Gastrodon?! Why is she going with that Pokemon? It's nowhere near as fast as Staraptor.
Max: Not only that, its also part ground type, which means its at a disadvantage against flying Pokemon.
Back on the field, Ash stared at the new opponent sitting on the floor, and then looked at Staraptor. He knew that it must be very tired after its battle with Roserade. While its Brave Bird attack may cause a lot of damage to the opponent, it also hurts the user with its recoil effect. However, sense Staraptor would be immune to any of Gastrodon's ground type attacks; it might be able to pull out another victory. Besides, the more Pokemon he had left, the better off he would be in the long hall.
Ash: I don't know what you're planning, Cynthia, but I'm stopping it before it starts. Staraptor, Aerial Ace!
Staraptor launched itself into another high speed charge attack, but Cynthia was ready for him.
Cynthia: Gastrodon, Water Pulse!
Gastrodon released a pulsating wave of water that Staraptor, who was charging too fast to turn away, flew right through. The attack itself didn't do much damage, but the sonic sound waves in the water confused Staraptor, causing it to fly off course and crash into a wall, knocking itself out.
Referee: Staraptor is unable to battle! Gastrodon wins!
Up in the stands, all of Ash's friends were shocked by Cynthia's victory.
Chellsy: What just happen? I thought Staraptor was going to win for sure.
Misty: Cynthia must have counted on Ash trying to defeat Gastrodon as quickly as possible.
Brock: So she used Water Pulse's confusion effect and had Staraptor take itself out of the match. That was some pretty smart thinking.
Both trainers had now lost two of their Pokemon. Ash smiled as he took out another poke-ball and enlarged it.
Ash: I think it's time I brought out the king of the forest. I choose you, Sceptile!
He pitched the ball and released a large, green, reptilian plant Pokemon with a leafy tail and yellow seed pods on its back.
Ash: This battle's just getting started!
TO BE CONTINUED...