Here it is the big finally to the International Pokemon League Championship Title Match between Ash and Cynthia. But don't think the story is over. We have a long way to go before we reach the end. For now, though, just sit back and enjoy part 4 of the Child of Destiny.
This is the longest part I've written so far, and will likely be longest of them all.
Side note- If you see these ( ) around a piece of a character's line, that means they are thinking this part to themselves.
Disclaimer: You would be watching this if I owned Pokemon, but I don't.
Part 4: And the Winner is...
The crowd roared as Ash and Pikachu rushed back onto the battlefield. Meanwhile, Misty and Chellsy were racing to get back to their seats before the action started back up again.
Brock: There you two are. We were worried you weren't going to make it back in time.
Misty: Sorry about that. I didn't think we would be gone that long.
Mrs. Ketchum: So, how did your talk with Ash go, Misty?
Misty: It was fine, but now I think I should tell you guys the truth.
Dawn: What do you mean?
As Misty started filling them in on the details, Ash was getting ready for the final showdown.
Ash: Well, this is it, Pikachu. Let's get out there and win this one.
Pikachu: Pi Pikachu!
Cynthia: Well, aren't you two pumped up and ready to go.
Ash turned to see Cynthia approaching the field from the other side.
Cynthia: I hope your ready, Ash, because from here on out, I'm giving it my all.
Ash: So am I. Let's finish this.
As the referee began making his way back on to the field, Misty was just finishing up her story.
Misty: ...and that's pretty much it.
May: Wow! That's one heck of a tale.
Max: It's certainly a lot to take in.
Brock: What I can't understand is how you managed to keep the fact that Ash is Chellsy's dad quiet all these years.
Misty: Well, I really wanted to tell Ash first, but sense we lost touch with him I decided to keep it to myself and not talk about it. I hope you're all not mad at me.
Tracey: Why should we be mad?
Gary: What matters is that you did the right thing and told Ash the truth. And besides, it's not like we were totally clueless.
Dawn: We all sort of had a feeling that Ash was her dad, but we didn't want to say anything until you were ready to talk about it.
Max: Well, actually, when we first heard you were going to have a baby, we all wanted to ask you who the father was right away, but Mrs. Ketchum insisted that we wait until you decided to tell us. I guess she figured out Ash was the dad before any of us did.
Misty turned her attention to Ash's mother.
Misty: I always thought you knew about it.
Mrs. Ketchum: It was mother's intuition, or in this case, grandmother's.
Misty got up and gave Mrs. Ketchum a big hug just as the announcer's voice echoed through the stadium.
Announcer: Our competitors have returned to the field, so let the second half of the International Pokemon League Championship Title Match begin.
The crowd roared with excitement as Cynthia pulled another Poke-ball off her belt.
Cynthia: Let's add some fight to this fight. Go, Lucario!
She threw the ball and in a flash of light, a blue and black jackal-like Pokemon appeared on the field.
Max: Look, guys. Cynthia's got a Lucario.
Professor Oak: I wonder how Ash will deal with this.
What the professor didn't know was that Ash was way ahead of him. He knew that Lucario was a Fighting and Steel type Pokemon, so he decided to bring out one of his oldest and most trusted warriors.
Ash: Pretty impressive, but I think it's time I turned up the heat. Let's go, Charizard!
In one quick movement, Ash pulled the ball off his belt, enlarged it, and chucked it into the air, which opened to release the large, orange, dragon-like Pokemon that had been part of his team sense his early days as a trainer.
Referee: Resume the battle!
Ash: Charizard, Flamethrower!
Charizard let loose a stream of super hot flames that headed straight for its opponent.
Cynthia: Dodge and use Metal Claw!
In one quick movement, Lucario sidestepped the Flamethrower and dashed toward Charizard. As it did, it summoned a pair of metallic claws and tried to slash the fire Pokemon with them.
Ash: Take to the sky and use Dragon Breath!
Charizard spread its wings and launched itself into the air just before Lucario could reach it. It then fired a blast of dragonic wind from its mouth.
Cynthia: Block it using Bone Rush!
Lucario conjured up a long bone made of pure energy and spun it like a baton to shield itself from the Dragon Breath attack. Ash had to hand it to Cynthia. Using an attack that would have had no effect on Charizard for defense was pure genius.
Up in the stands, Misty and the others watched in silence as the two Pokemon traded blows back and forth, neither side giving an edge. However, Misty became distracted when she suddenly heard three, very familiar voices.
??: Popcorn, peanuts!
??: Hot dogs, hamburgers!
??: Ice cold drinks!
Misty looked up into the stands to see three vendors moving through the crowd supplying people with refreshments. One of them was a woman with long, red hair. The other was a man with short, blue hair. And the third member of this party was a cat-like Pokemon with a gold charm on its forehead that could stand on two legs and speak English. There was no mistaking these three hooligans.
Misty: Guys, look up there.
Brock: Well I'll be. It's Jesse, James, and Meowth.
Chellsy: You mean those three weirdoes from Team Rocket who used to follow you guys around and tried to steal your Pokemon all the time.
May: That's them.
Max: Don't forget the part where we always sent them blasting off in the end.
Dawn: Oh yeah! That was always funny to watch.
Jesse: Well, look who we have here, boys.
James: It's the twerps.
Meowth: Hey! I thought we promised that if we ever ran into these guys again, we wouldn't call them that!
James: Woops! Sorry, my bad.
Misty: That's okay. It's nice to see you all again.
Brock: Come to think of it, we haven't seen you sense Ash left. What have you three been up to for the past 7 years?
Meowth: Well, after your pal left on his own, we decided to follow him.
May: Of course you did.
James: Yeah, well, that worked for awhile, but about a month later, we lost his trail and couldn't find him again.
Jesse: We looked everywhere for him, but it was as if he had dropped off the face of the earth.
Dawn: Tell me about it. That was about the time we lost contact with him as well.
Meowth: Anyway, once Ash had disappeared, the three of us took some time to do some soul searching and we finally realized that being part of Team Rocket was getting us nowhere in life, so we quit!
Everyone was shocked to hear this. No one had ever expected these three to just up and quit Team Rocket. But then again, considering all of their failures over the years, they were probably happy to get out of there.
Professor Oak: Good for you. That was a smart move on your part.
Max: So what you guys do after you quit?
James: Well, the three of us started roaming from town to town doing various odd jobs to keep money and food on the table. Fixing houses, delivering packages, cleaning floors, cooking in restaurants: you name it, we did it.
Meowth: But our biggest earnings came from selling souvenirs and refreshments at big events like this one. We've gotten so good at it that we've become top-ranking officials of the concession and merchandise division of the Pokemon League.
Tracey: That's great! You guys have really moved up in the world.
Gary: There's just one thing; why are you guys out here selling the stuff?
Jesse: We find it much more enjoyable to get out into the field rather than spend our time in a boring office.
James: And this way, we're able to become familiar with our customers. You wouldn't believe how many times we've seen certain people at different events.
Max: Makes sense when you think about it.
Jesse: But enough about us; how have all of you been doing? It must have been quite a surprise to see your friend again after all this time.
Misty: It certainly was. At first, we angry at him for showing up out of nowhere, but after we calmed down, we realized that we were just happy to see that he was still in one piece.
Meowth: That's good to know. Well, I guess we had better get going. Oh, by the way, who's the lovely little girl sitting next to you, Misty?
Chellsy: My name's Chellsy.
Misty: She's my daughter.
James: Well I'll be. The red-head's a mom.
Jesse: So, who's the lucky dad?
Misty and Chellsy pointed towards the arena where the battle between Charizard and Lucario was still raging and saw all three of their jaws drop.
Meowth: Are you serious?
Jesse: Well, that's certainly a surprise. You must be proud of having such a powerful trainer for a father, Chellsy.
Chellsy: I sure am.
James: Listen, before we get back to work, why don't you guys help yourself to anything you like. It's on us.
Max: Alright! Free food!
May: Wow! Thank you so much.
As everyone began picking out what they wanted to eat, Misty turned her attention back to the battle in time to see Lucario using Bone Rush to block another one of Charizard's mid-air Flamethrower attacks.
Ash: Okay, this is starting to get old!
Cynthia: I agree. It's time to shake things up. Lucario, Dynamic Punch!
Lucario jumped into the air and charged its fist with raw energy. Ash knew that if Charizard was hit by that attack, not only would it take massive damage, but it would also end up confused, and he had no intention of repeating what had happened to Staraptor.
Ash: Charizard, heads up!
Charizard swerved to the side just as Lucario made its move, barely avoiding the oncoming punch. Then, as if it had known what Ash's next command would be, it grabbed the aura Pokemon and began carrying it high into the sky.
Ash: You know, sometimes I think Charizard can read my mind. Finish it with Seismic Toss!
Cynthia watched, unable to do anything, as Charizard did a mid-air somersault and began plummeting towards the earth, gaining speed as it went. Just before it hit the ground, it dropped Lucario, who slammed into the floor, and flew off to the side, leaving the Fighting-Type unconscious in the middle of the arena.
Referee: Lucario is unable to battle! Charizard wins!
The crowd roared with excitement. Ash had managed knock out another of Cynthia's Pokemon, leaving her with only two left.
Max: What a move.
Tracey: That was one heck of a Seismic Toss.
Dawn: Now Cynthia's down to her last two Pokemon. I think Ash might just win this.
Brock: Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The battle's not over yet.
Back on the field, Cynthia recalled Lucario back to its ball as Charizard landed on the ground near Ash. She couldn't remember the last time she had been backed into a corner like this. Ash was one serious trainer, which meant that she was going to have to take this battle to the next level. Slowly, she replaced Lucario's ball then pulled out another one and enlarged it to throwing size.
Cynthia: Ash, you've been doing very well so far, but I'm afraid that ends here! Let's go, Milotic!
She threw the ball and from a flash of light came forth what many people consider the most beautiful Pokemon in the world. Many people in the stands couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. Ash, however, was trying to decide his next move. Charizard was at a huge disadvantage against this new water-type foe. Ash was considering switching it out for ether Sceptile or Pikachu, but Charizard smashed its tail on the ground, trying to tell its trainer that it wanted to keep going.
Ash: Are you sure you want to keep fighting, Charizard?
Charizard: Roar!
Ash: Well, far be it from me to argue with you, pal. Use Dragon Breath!
Charizard sent another blast of dragonic wind straight at its opponent.
Cynthia: Nice try Ash, but that's not going to work here. Iron Tail!
Milotic's tail began to glow with metallic energy. It then smashed its tail into the oncoming blast, canceling out the attack.
Cynthia: Milotic, Hydro Pump!
Milotic fired a high pressure stream of water from its mouth. Charizard was forced to take flight to avoid being hit.
Cynthia: Keep it going! Rapid fire!
Milotic kept firing blasts of Hydro Pumps at the air born fire type. Charizard ducked, swerved, flipped, and spun to try and dodge the blasts, but one of them hit its wing and sent it crashing back down to earth. As it struggled to get back on its feet, Ash was trying to figure out a way to turn this around.
Ash: (Charizard isn't going to last much longer, but if it's going down, then it might as well take Milotic with it.) Charizard, use Blast Burn!
Everyone's attention immediately shifted to Charizard as its body suddenly began glowing bright red. Pulling all of its remaining energy together for one last attack, it fired a concentrated ball of fire straight at Milotic. The attack came too fast to dodge, and the second it made contact, it rapidly expanded into a huge dome of flames that completely engulfed the water Pokemon, dealing it massive damage. The flames quickly dissipated and were replaced by a billowing cloud of smoke.
Gary: Holy cow! What a blast!
Professor Oak: Who would have thought that Charizard could use Blast Burn?
May: Well, that's another one down.
Max: I wouldn't be too sure of that. Look!
The others turned their gaze over towards the pillar of smoke where they could just see the outline of something moving around. Suddenly, a Hydro Pump came bursting out of the cloud of soot. Charizard, who had used all its power to pull off its attack, was unable to move and was blasted back into a wall where it collapsed onto the ground, defeated.
Referee: Charizard is unable to battle! Milotic wins!
The crowd cheered as Milotic reemerged from the smoke, looking worse for where but ultimately still able to fight. Ash recalled the beaten fire type and sighed. That Milotic must have been pretty tough to have withstood Charizards most powerful attack. He replaced the ball and pulled out one he had already used.
Ash: That Milotic is strong, but it won't be around for much longer. Let's go, Sceptile!
He threw the ball and his grass type reappeared on the field, ready for action.
Ash: Let's end this now, Sceptile! Leaf Blade!
Sceptile leaped into the air and prepared to attack with its energy blades, but Cynthia had another trick up her sleeve.
Cynthia: Milotic, use Ice Beam!
Ash's determination turned to shock as he witnessed Milotic fire an icy energy beam that hit Sceptile square in the chest. The grass Pokemon was instantly frozen and everyone watched as it fell back to earth with a loud crash.
Referee: Sceptile is unable to battle! Milotic wins!
Everyone in the stadium was going nuts. Both trainers were now down to their last two Pokemon.
Brock: Did you see that?
Misty: I can't believe how fast Milotic is. Sceptile didn't even get a chance to attack.
May: Now they're even again. This match could go ether way.
Back on the field, Ash called Sceptile back and turned to the little mouse Pokemon who had stuck by him sense the beginning of his journey. Pikachu gave its trainer a quick nod, and then dashed out onto the battleground.
Cynthia: So, Pikachu's next.
Ash: That's right, and Milotic is about to go down. Thunderbolt!
Pikachu sent a bolt of electricity straight towards Milotic just as it fired another Ice Beam. The two attacks met and canceled each other out.
Cynthia: Use Hydro Pump!
Ash: Dodge with Quick Attack!
Milotic launched another water blast, but Pikachu used its incredible speed to avoid it and get within striking distance. The two trainers shouted their next commands at the same time.
Ash & Cynthia: Iron Tail!
Both Pokemon charged their tails with the power of steel and slammed the two attacks into each other, but the second they made contact, Milotic was struck by an electric charge that ran through its body, completely paralyzing it.
Chellsy: What happened to Milotic?
Max: Pikachu's Static ability kicked in.
Chellsy: Static ability?
Brock: It's a special power some Pokemon have that may paralyze an opponent if they make direct contact.
Chellsy: Oh, I get it now.
Back at the battle, Milotic was barely able to move because of the Static, but Cynthia wasn't giving up yet.
Cynthia: Nice move, Ash, but I have one last trick up my sleeve. Milotic, use Facade!
Milotic suddenly surrounded itself with an orange colored energy and charged straight for Pikachu with the intent to ram it.
Ash: (This is bad. Facade is a move that doubles in power if the user has a status condition like paralysis. We'll have to meet it head on.) Pikachu, Volt Tackle!
Pikachu began dashing straight for its oncoming opponent, completely engulfing itself in electrical energy as it did. The two Pokemon collided head on, causing a massive explosion. When the dust cleared, both trainers were shocked to find that their Pokemon had knocked each other out.
Referee: Pikachu and Milotic are both unable to battle!
Cynthia called her Pokemon back as Ash ran onto the field to recover Pikachu. All the while, the crowd was cheering as if there was no tomorrow, for now both Ash and Cynthia had only one Pokemon left.
Ash: Sorry, Pikachu. I guess Volt Tackle's recoil effect was too much for you, huh?
Pikachu: Pi-ka-chu.
Ash gently set Pikachu down and then returned his attention to Cynthia.
Cynthia: So, it's all come down to this. The next battle will decide the victor.
Ash: You should know I don't plan on losing after coming this far.
Cynthia: I like your spirit, Ash, but you want to win, you'll have to beat this. Garchomp, BATTLE DANCE!!
She threw one last ball into the air, and when it opened, it released a huge shark-like Pokemon. There was no mistaking it; this was Garchomp, Cynthia's most powerful Pokemon. Ash reached into his belt and pulled out one last Poke-ball.
Ash: Well pal, looks like you're my last hope. I CHOOSE YOU!!
Ash threw the ball which flew high into the air before releasing a Pokemon that no one had expected to see... another Lucario!
Dawn: Lucario! When did Ash get one of those?
Professor Oak: That must be the Pokemon that hatched the egg he took with him, because I've certainly never seen it at the lab.
Brock: Let's just hope that it's got enough power to beat Garchomp.
While the others were talking, Misty took the time to study Ash's new teammate. That was when she noticed that both he and Lucario each had a small crystal hanging around their necks. As she pondered what that meant, Ash began thinking up a battle plan.
Ash: So, you ready for this, Lucario?
Lucario: I've been waiting for this for a long time, Ash. Let's finish this.
Misty gasped. She thought it was her imagination at first, but it seemed that Ash's Lucario could speak using telepathy. She didn't have time to see what the others thought, however, because the final battle was about to begin.
Ash: Lucario, Aura Sphere!
Lucario used its own aura to create a ball of energy which it then launched at its foe, but the Dragon type simple sidestepped the attack.
Cynthia: Sorry, Ash, but you'll have to do a lot better than that.
What Cynthia didn't realize was that Lucario's normally red eyes had begun to glow bright gold. All at once, the Aura Sphere attack suddenly changed course and hit Garchomp right in the back.
Cynthia: What?
Ash: Lucario's aura control is so powerful that it can direct its Aura Sphere even after it's launched.
Cynthia: Well then, let's see how it deals with this. Garchomp, use Dig.
In one quick movement, Garchomp burrowed deep into the earth, ready to strike Lucario from underground, but the aura Pokemon was ready for it. Closing its eyes, it activated its aura vision, which allowed it to see where Garchomp was by showing its aura. The second it tried to emerge aboveground to attack, Lucario quickly stepped out of the way, in perfect position for a counter attack.
Ash: Use Force Palm!
Lucario charged its fist up with aura power and smashed its palm into Garchomp's side, dealing it damage while sending up into the air.
Cynthia: Quick, Dragon Rush!
Garchomp stopped itself in mid-air with the fin-like wings on its arms, surrounded itself in dragonic energy, and began charging straight for Lucario.
Ash: Lucario, Dragon Pulse!
Lucario shot a stream of dragonic energy waves directly at Garchomp, which knocked it off course and cancelled out its attack.
Cynthia: Garchomp, use Giga Impact!
Garchomp rebalanced itself and then summoned all of its power to surround itself in a sphere of pure energy. It then plunged straight for Lucario at an incredibly high speed, but just before Garchomp reached its target, Lucario disappeared in a flash, causing it to crash into the ground. As the energy of the attack dissipated, Lucario reappeared right behind it, poised to strike.
Ash: Close Combat!
Cynthia watched as Lucario's fists began to glow yellow. The aura Pokemon then proceeded to rapidly pummel Garchomp over and over. Cynthia knew that her Pokemon was unable to move because Giga Impact used up a lot of its energy and it had to recharge. She also knew that Ash had picked the right time to use that attack, sense Close Combat left its user open to attack.
Cynthia: Garchomp, Brick Break!
Ash: Lucario, Force Palm!
Garchomp regained its strength and caused its wings to glow yellow as Lucario surrounded its fists with aura energy. The two Pokemon began exchanging blows, each blocking their opponent's attacks while trying to strike with their own. This lasted for several minutes until Lucario unknowingly left a hole in its guard. Garchomp seized its chance and struck the aura Pokemon in the side, sending it flying into the air.
Ash: Oh no!
Cynthia: Now's our chance. Fly above it and use Giga Impact!
Garchomp launched itself high above Lucario and prepared its attack. It then charged forward and smashed into its foe, sending Lucario crashing head first into the ground. The dragon Pokemon landed several feet away from where its opponent lay seemingly beaten and began regaining energy for another attack if needed.
Ash: Lucario, are you okay?
Lucario: Uh... I'm alright, but... I don't know if I can get back up. That last hit was intense.
Ash: Don't give up, Lucario. We can still win this. We just have to believe we can.
Pikachu: Pika-Pikachu!
Lucario: I know, but this pain is too much. I let my guard down and paid the price for it. We were doing so well up until then, and now look at me. Maybe I should just...
Ash didn't like where this was going. Lucario was beginning to doubt itself, just like it did when it was just a Riolu.
Ash: Don't even think about that. What would all of the training we did together over these past few years mean if we just gave up now?
Lucario: But I...
Ash: So you made one mistake, so what? Nobody's perfect. I've made my share of mistakes in the past, but even if I did mess up, I never lost hope. So it doesn't matter if you screw up or not. The point is, I'm not giving up on you and you shouldn't give up on yourself.
As Lucario began taking in Ash's words, he also began hearing the voices of other people calling out his name.
Misty: Come on, Lucario!
Brock: You can do it!
May: Don't stop now!
Max: You're doing great!
Dawn: Don't give up!
Chellsy: We're all rooting for you!
Ash: Do you hear that? Those are all of my friends. They all believe you can win, and so do I.
Lucario: Uh... you're right, Ash. I was a wrong to doubt myself. I do have the power to win. I just have to believe I can do it.
Slowly, bit by bit, Lucario rose off the ground and got back on its feet. The crowd roared in approval of its effort.
Cynthia: That was lovely speech, Ash, but I'm afraid this battle is over. Garchomp, use Giga Impact one more time!
Once again, Garchomp became surrounded by a field of raw energy, but Lucario stood, unflinching, waiting for it to make its move.
Lucario: I won't back down. I know we will win, because I believe we can!
Suddenly, Lucario's body became engulfed in a burst of aura energy. The aura Pokemon was pulling all of its power together for one last attack.
Ash: (The only question is, HOW are we going to win? Lucario's in no shape to dodge, so our only chance would be to break through the Giga Impact... or negate it. That's it!) Lucario, pull all of your energy into your fists!
Thinking it knew where Ash was going with this, Lucario pumped all of its aura energy into its fists, which glowed even brighter due to the concentration of power. Then, in the blink of an eye, the two combatants charged for each other. Meeting in the center of the arena, Lucario pull back his left fist and slammed it into its attacker, sending shockwaves throughout the stadium.
Ash: Now!
Lucario's eyes began glowing gold once more as it sent all of the aura energy in its left hand straight into to Garchomps attack. A moment later, the Giga Impact fizzled out, leaving Garchomp wide open.
Cynthia: What?!
Ash: All right! Lucario, Force Palm, Maximum Power!
Lucario took pin-point aim and smashed its fully powered right fist straight into Garchomp's face, which exploded on impact and sent the Dragon pokemon sailing across the arena, leaving an impact trail in its wake. Cynthia could only watch as her last, best Pokemon collided head first into a wall and then lay motionless on the floor, the last of its fighting spirit drained.
Referee: Garchomp is unable to battle! Lucario wins! The winner and new International Pokemon League Champion is... Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!
TO BE CONTINUED...