Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. There, short and simple.
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Now for Part two of The Choices They Have Made, Battles For Everyone!
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ASH
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Jackson led him away from the group of people now surrounding the ring, amused at seeing a man try to eat his own sandal. It was funny, Ash admitted to himself. But however amusing it was, it seemed like Jackson really wanted to show Ash something.
The two of them didn't get far before Brock joined in. This caused Jackson to stop rather abruptly. "I'm sorry, but who are you?" Jackson asked in a polite, yet annoyed, voice.
"I'm Brock," he responded, holding out a hand. Jackson shook it once, and then let go.
"I'm sorry, but I'm kind of busy. Was there something you needed?"
"He's a friend of mine," Ash said. "He can come with."
Jackson looked him up and down once, as if trying to gauge his strength. Finally, he gave a single nod and continued walking, taking the lead and letting Ash and Brock follow.
"You did good back there Ash," Brock said. "It would have been smarter to put Buizel back out as soon as Ninetales came out though."
Ash shrugged. "Monferno was on a roll, and I wanted to keep up the momentum."
"If he was going up against a type he was neutral against, or even had the advantage against, I'd completely agree. But not only was he up against a resistant type, but one with experience and in tip top health." Brock tapped Ash once on the head with his knuckles. "You got to think things through better."
Ash rubbed his head. "Yeah, yeah. Hurry up, Jackson is leaving us behind." Ash and Brock picked up their pace, catching up to their new friend.
"Where is he taking us, anyways?"
"To a friend of mine," Jackson said, looking over his shoulder. "I think he'll be interested in you guys. You in particular, Ash. He's a really strong trainer, but you have to get by his pet trainer first. Think that will be any problem?"
"Well," Ash said, thinking. "That depends. Will I be able to have my Pokemon healed before fights?"
Jackson smiled, shaking his head. "Nope." He had led Ash and Brock out of the training park and towards a medium sized building.
"What about before I fight this other trainer?"
Jackson opened the door before gesturing them through. "Nope. You fight him before you fight the big guy."
Ash hesitated. "Just how strong is the big guy?"
Jackson just grinned and chuckled in answer.
Ash smiled in response. "What do you say Brock? Should I give it a go?"
Brock nodded. "I think you should man. It will give you more credit here. It's been a while since you beat Misty, and it's not like anyone knew who you were when you did that. Even if you loose, it will put your name out on the streets, and be helpful when we start hunting."
"Alright then." Ash turned and walked into the door, Brock falling in step behind him. Jackson entered last and closed the door.
The room that they were in now seemed like the reception area of a normal office building. It was sparsely furnished, with a couple chairs and a table. There were a couple decorative plants scattered throughout the area. There was a reception desk with a woman sitting behind it. She was on the phone when the three men walked up.
"Yes. Absolutely," she said to whoever was on the other end of the phone. She had a pen and paper and was writing down a message. "Not a problem sir. I'll make sure he gets it. Thanks, you too. Bye." She hung the phone up on the receiver and finished writing the message. Setting the pen down on her desk, she looked up at the three people in front of her desk. "Yes, how can I help you gentlemen?"
Jackson waved his hand. "Hey there Gloria. I got a possible prospect here."
"Oh really?" she asked playfully. "Is he anything like your last 'prospect' you brought in here?"
"Hey, you can't blame me for that. How was I supposed to know he couldn't go past a walk without having an asthma attack?"
Gloria rolled her eyes, then broke into a laugh. "Alright. You know the way still, right? It's been a while since you've been here."
"Yeah yeah yeah," Jackson said as he moved to a door next to the desk. "I still remember. You coming Ash?"
Brock and Ash followed Jackson to the door. "Thank you ma'am," Ash said as he passed by Gloria.
"Not a problem young man. Good luck!" She smiled her well wishes, and then picked up the phone and started dialing a number.
The door automatically closed behind Ash. The three were now in an elevator with only one button on it, unmarked. Jackson hit the button and the elevator started going up. Ash, Brock, and Jackson rode in silence. Jackson was excited. Ash's next opponent was pretty strong. But, as Jackson had seen first hand, so was Ash. The only difference this time was that Ash would have to use other Pokemon than he had in the battle he had had. Buizel could probably still fight some, but he was tired, and Monferno was definitely out of commission for a while. Jackson glanced at Pikachu, sitting on Ash's shoulder. Jackson was most curious about the mouse. Not many trainers kept Pikachus. They were decent as far as electric types go, but most trainers evolved them into Raichu as soon as they got the chance. Maybe it was sentimentality, but Jackson didn't think so. There was something different about this one.
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal a well dressed man sitting backwards in a rolling chair on the far side of a large room. That was it. There was nothing else in the room to indicate its purpose or reason for being there. The man alone wasn't even a very good indicator.
"Jackson!" the man exclaimed, pushing himself and the chair across the room. "It's been far to long since I've seen you last. How have you been?" The man stopped the chair a couple feet away from the group and stood up.
Jackson, Ash, and Brock all stepped out of the elevator. Jackson held out his hand to shake the other mans hand, but it was ignored. Instead, Jackson was pulled into a large hug. "You really should drop by more," the man admonished, squeezing the breath out of Jackson. "It gets so boring up here with no one to keep me company. I ask you, is it so hard to come up here once in a while just to say hi?"
"Tom. I. Can't. Breath." Jackson managed to wheeze out. The man let him out of the hug and took a step back, allowing Jackson to catch his breath. "Thanks. That's better. Tom, I'd like to introduce you to Brock and Ash. Guys, this is Tom."
"Hey Tom," Ash said, waving. He didn't want to be pulled into the same Death Hug that Jackson had.
"Nice to meet you, Tom," Brock said, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Pika pikachu!" Pikachu cried out, waving from Ash's shoulder.
"Nice to meet you, gentlemen. My name is Tom." Tom made a deep, elegant bow towards them. Once he stood up, he turned towards Jackson. "So, Gloria tells me that you have a prospect for me to test out."
"Yup. Ash here-" Jackson started to gesture towards Ash, but was stopped by Jackson.
"Nonononono! Let me guess which one is Ash. Although, I think I know. I see it, in the gleam in his eyes. The way he is standing, the fierce determination to prove himself against all odds, and the overwhelming desire to protect all that he loves." Tom took a deep breath. "Yes, I smell it in the air. Adrenaline, hope, expectations. Yes, you have found me a promising opponent today Jackson. I am impressed."
Ash started swelling a little with the praise.
"Yes, I know who my opponent is. Ash!" he yelled, pointing. "I challenge you to a battle!"
"Umm, I'm not Ash."
Tom was pointing at Brock, and issuing his challenge at him. He started spluttering. "What?! How can you not be Ash? If you aren't Ash, that means this little boy is Ash, and I refuse to believe that," he harrumphed, crossing his arms. "He doesn't even look old enough to start training. What are you, son, eleven? Twelve?"
"I'm fifteen, thank you," Ash said indignantly. Tom had started out seeming like a nice guy, but now Ash was mad.
Tom turned to Jackson, a pleading look coming across his face. "Jackson, why must you do this to me?" he said, sounding pained.
"Oh, come on Tom. He's really quite good. He took my three down with two. I can only guess what his other three Pokemon are.
Tom sighed and walked back to his chair. "Fine," he said petulantly, rolling himself back to the other side of the room. "Ash, I challenge you to a battle, et cetera et cetera. Do you accept?"
Ash was quiet for a moment. "You know, just for that, I'm going to accept your challenge, and squash you." He stomped to where he thought he should stand, turning his hat backwards. Pikachu jumped down from his perch and stood next to his trainer.
Tom looked at Ash and did a quick double take. "You look like...no. Never mind. Jackson! You be the judge."
Jackson jogged over to one of the far walls, Brock following him. He came to a stop dead center between the two combatants. "Trainers, are you ready?"
Ash and Tom both nodded, staring each other down. "Ready!" he yelled, pushing a section on the wall. The room burst into motion. First, lines of light erupted along the floor, outlining the arena. Once it finished outlining the trainer boxes and the judges box, the three sections jutted ten feet into the air. Arena lights turned on from the ceiling, illuminating the ring. "Trainers, select your Pokemon!" Tom reached to his waist and pulled out a Pokeball.
Ash went through his team in his head. He had to make a big start. No bigger start than his first Pokemon. Ash nodded at Pikachu, indicating that he would be Ash's first choice. Pikachu leaped down from the trainer square, scurrying over to his starting point. He stayed on all fours, ears back, cheeks spurting electricity sporadically.
"Lanturn, go." Tom threw his Pokeball, releasing a Lanturn. The bluish fish flopped around for a moment before adopting a semi-stable stance, glaring across at his opponent.
"Battle, Start!"
"Pikachu, let's finish this quick!" Ash yelled. "Thunderbolt!"
"Pi-ka-chu!" A bolt of electricity launched itself from Pikachu to the fish out of water.
"Lanturn, Thunderbolt!" A lance of electricity flew from the fish's front antenna and collided with Pikachus attack in an explosionh, rendering it null.
Duh, Ash thought to himself. Lanturn is part electric. "Pikachu, get behind it!" The little mouse was almost invisible to the eye as it skitted across the ring.
Tom yelled out his own commands. "Lanturn, hit it with Water Gun!" Jets of water shot from Lanturns mouth, all aimed at Pikachu. The streams of water followed the mouse, chasing it around the ring, until Lanturn couldn't turn its head anymore. "Lanturn, hop up!" Tom cried out in desperation.
"Now Pikachu, while it can't hit you, Volt Tackle!"
Pikachu charged the Lanturn, electricity streaming over his entire body. The fish hopped, trying to turn around, but to late. Pikachu caught the foe in mid-air. "Chuuuu!!" Pikachu cried on contact, the force of the tackle and electricity transfered into his opponent.
Lanturn was launched across the ring, landing on the opposite side, but the electricity seemed to be absorbed into its antenna, and it seemed to be revitalizing the foe instead of harming it.
"What?" Ash asked himself, confused. "Why didn't that..."
Tom chuckled at Ash's confusion. "That's Lanturn's ability, Volt Absorb. It takes any electrical attacks and uses the energy to heal itself. What are you going to do now?" Tom didn't give Ash any time to respond though. "Lanturn, another Thunderbolt!"
"Turn!" the pokemon cried as it discharged a bolt of electricity at Pikachu.
"Quick Attack to dodge!" Pikachu flung himself into a zig zag pattern, avoiding the electrical onslaught. "Now close the distance!" Dodging in and out of the foes attacks, Pikachu slowly closed the distance between them, picking up speed as he made his way through the maze of electricity. "Iron Tail!" Pikachu made a step to his right. At the instant Lanturn launched another attack, Pikachu spun to the left, whipping his tail around behind him and hitting Lanturn square in the face with the attack, sending Lanturn spinning around on the ground.
Thinking quickly, Tom gave his next command. "Hydro Pump Lanturn!" Still spinning crazily, Lanturn unleashed a devistating torrent of water from its mouth, shooting water out in all directions.
"Pikachu, jump up!" Pikachu jumped up into the air, but a spray of water caught his back foot as he jumped, sending him into a series of front flips. "Use the flip as momentum and Iron Tail again!"
"Pi-ka!" Aiming as best he could, Pikachu sent himself in Lanturn's direction, and was satisfied with the solid thump of his tail on the enemy, halting his flip. The streams of water slowed to a dribble before coming to a stop, and as soon as Lanturn stopped spinning, the Jackson made his call. "Lanturn is unable to battle!"
"Good job Lanturn, return."
"Pikachu, return." Unable to get back onto the platform, Pikachu ran out of the ring and stood next to the raised platform. "Good job buddy, let's just rest for now."
"My my," Tom said, pulling out his next pokeball. "Maybe I was right before."
"Right about what?"
"That would be telling now, wouldn't it?" Tom smiled, and tossed out his next Pokemon. "Tropius!" The Pokemon came from its ball with a roar and set itself to hovering on its side of the ring.
Ash grinned. "Glalie, go!" He tossed the ball into the ring, releasing the ice pokemon within.
"Batlle, Start!"
"Wing Attack Tropius!" The leaf pokemon launched itself into full flight, charging straight at Glalie, wings beginning to glow.
"Glalie, Icy Wind!" The ice pokemon opened its mouth, and a gust of freezing wind came out. The sudden gust of wind caught Tropius's wings and sent him tumbling in mid air, forcing him to break off the attack and regain balance.
"Solar Beam Tropius!" The dinosaur-like Pokemon landed and opened its mouth, charging up for his next attack.
"Wait for it, Glalie," Ash said in an expectant voice. "Wait for it." The attack was charged, and shot out at Glalie. "Now, Ice Beam!" The two beams met in an explosion, sending both foes back a pace. But, before the smoke had cleared, Tropius had launched its next attack. Leaves, edges shinning dangerously, hurtled through the air, whistling with their approach. "Icy Wind again!" Fortunately, Glalie was paying attention, and the Icy Wind deflected the leaves into disarray.
Tropius was beating its wings, clearing the smoke from the ring, and bringing itself into a hover. The glow forming in its mouth showed it was preparing for another solar beam. "Quick, Ice Beam again!" The jagged line of energy shot from Glalie, and before Tropius could respond to the attack, was struck. From the point of contact, ice quickly spread, covering the pokemon into a solid block of ice that fell to the earth with a loud "Boom!"
Tom looked at ash thoughtfully as he recalled his frozen Pokemon to its ball. "Maybe you are..."
"Are what?" Ash asked, frustrated with the man. Tom couldn't seem to make up his mind with him. One minute he was treated like a kid, the next respected as a man far beyond his years. It was really beginnint to irritate him.
"That's the million dollar question now, isn't it?" Tom responded, pulling out his third and final Pokemon. "Let's go, Ludicolo!" The green and yellow Pokemon emerged from its ball in a fighting pose, ready for whatever may come its way.
"Glalie, hang out there," Ash commanded, wondering what was coming his way.
"Trainers ready?!" Jackson called. They both nodded in the affirmative. "Battle, Start!"
"Rain Dance Ludicolo!" The duck-like Pokemon began dancing side to side, chanting its name. Clouds started to form inside the room, coalescing very slowly at first, but then with greater speed. In a matter of seconds, a fat rain drop fell on Ash's face. This startled him from his reverie and into action. "Glalie, Double Team!" Glalie hopped into the air. Upon landing, several clones split out from it, creating a small army of Glalies. "Headbut, while it's still dancing!" The rain began to fall more heavily, more steadily now. Charging through the rain, the Glalies made their way towards the enemy Ludicolo, spreading out and circling to attack it from multiple angles.
But, Ash had acted too late. "Ludicolo, jump!" Tom yelled. Ludicolo stopped its dancing and chanting, jumping up and backwards at the last second. The Glalie clones all converged on the place where Ludicolo had been, colliding, eliminating all but the original. Slightly dazed, Glalie turned towards the enemy.
"Icy Wind Glalie!" Glalie launched its attack, but, still being dazed, missed.
"Water Gun Ludicolo."
"Ludicolo!" A jet of water burst forth from the foe towards the helpless Pokemon.
"Glalie!" the Pokemon cried as it was struck, launching it backwards and into the raised platform where Ash was standing.
"Glalie, are you all right?"
"Brick Break Ludicolo!"
Once more, Ludicolo was on the move, charging across the ring.
"Glalie!" Ash called. The ice Pokemon finally responded, rolling up to face the opponant. "Ice Beam!" Glalie shot out the jagged beam of freezing cold, but, once again, missed. Ludicolo was almost on top of them now, fist glowing in preparation for the attack. Ash gritted his teeth. "No choice. Glalie, Headbut!" Glalie charged Ludicolo. Ludicolo charged Glalie. The two met with a resounding crash, the sound reverberating throughout the room, hanging ominously in the air.
"Glalie is unable to battle," Jackson declared. "Ludicolo is the winner!"
"Glalie, return," Ash said somberly, saddened by the loss. The rain still falling didn't help much. He looked down at the edge of the ring, where Pikachu stood waiting. "Ready buddy?" he asked thee mouse.
"Pika!" he responded, determined to avenge his friend.
"Then let's go!"
Pikachu made his way to his place in the ring, Ludicolo already waiting at its place.
"Battle, start!" Jackson said once more.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
Pikachu launched into action, dashing in random directions, closing the distance between the two Pokemon, puddles splashing up water at his footfalls.
"Brick Break!" Tom commanded when Pikachu was in range. The Pokemon's hand descended towards the dashing mouse, but missed, fist crashing into the ground behind it.
"Iron Tail Pikachu!"
Pikachu did one more dash to change direction, and jumped into the air, tail glowing, and whipped it through the air, connecting with the lillypad on Ludicolo's head.
"Colo!" the foe cried as it was slammed backwards and down, face smashing into the ground.
Pikachu landed lightly on his feet, waiting as Ludicolo got up on one knee.
"Hydro Pump!"
Ludicolo took a deep breath, and launched a torrent of water at Pikachu.
"Counter Shield Pikachu!"
Pikachu fell to his back spinning, electricity leaping out in all directions. The streaks of Thunderbolt slammed into the oncomming Hydro Pump, time after time, until it broke up completely. The stray charges, without an attack to hit, flew towards Ludicolo, shocking it until Pikachu stopped spinning.
"Brick Break!" Tom commanded.
Ludicolo tried to move, but couldn't.
"Pikachu, Volt Tackle!"
Pikachu charged through the rain once more, electricity covering his body, leaving a trail of yellow static in the air behind him. "Pika!" he yelled on contnact, connecting squarely in Ludicolos gut. It tumbled backwards once, twice, thrice, then lay still.
"Ludicolo is unable to battle!" Jackson declared. "Ash is the winner!" The clouds above dissapated and the stages were lowered, indicating the end of the battle.
After the Pokemon returned to their trainers, Tom, Ash, Jackson, and Brock all met in the middle of the ring.
"Well fought, Ash," Tom praised. "You beat me fair and square."
"You said something earlier," Ash said. "Can you tell me what you meant?"
Tom just grinned. "It's not for me to tell," he said. "Maybe if you beat your last opponent, he'll tell you." Tom gestured to the door across the room. "He's that way. Go see if you can beat him." Whistling, Tom made his way to the elevator that went down to the lobby.
"Don't worry about it," Jackson said, patting Ash on the back. "He's always annoying like that. And way to go! You took him out with only two Pokemon too. Think you can keep that up with the big guy?"
"Who is the big guy anyways?" Brock asked. "Is he a well known trainer?"
Jackson moved his head from side to side. "Well, yes and no. He's known in some circles, but for the most part he's an unknown." Jackson started for the door. "I mean, not every trainer fights in the League, you know? Or at least, not forever. They have to grow up at some point, do something with their lives."
"And that's who he is?" Ash asked. "A trainer who's 'grown up?' What does that make us, children?" Ash bent down for Pikachu to get on his shoulder and straightened his cap, following Jackson across the room.
"You know that's not what I meant," Jackson responded, waiting by the door.
"He's speaking figuratively," Brock cut in. "Think of it like a higher level of trainer."
"Yeah," Jackson said. "That's a better way to put it."
Ash looked from Jackson to Brock, then shrugged. "Whatever. Are we going?"
Jackson opened the door. "After you."
Ash walked through, followed by Brock, then Jackson. They entered a very long hallway that twisted and turned all around, almost like a maze. The "What's up Ash?" Brock asked as they started down the hallway. "You've been broody lately."
"Is broody even a word?" Ash asked.
"Must be. It didn't get a red squiggly line under it."
"What?"
"Never mind. What's on your mind?"
"Tom knew more than he was letting on. And this all seems like a big test."
"It probably is. Remember what Jackson said at the front desk? You're a prospect."
"Prospect for what though."
"I don't know. There's only one way to find out though."
"And that's beating the next guy."
Brock nodded. "You want to keep on with this?"
Ash nodded. "I've come to far to back down now. We're going to beat this guy, and see if he has any clues on what's going on."
A door came into view around the next bend. Jackson reached out and caught Brock by the shoulder. "This is as far as we can go," Jackson said, almost regretfully. "Ash goes alone from here."
Brock looked at the door, then to Ash. "Be careful," he said. "And try to think things through."
Ash gave a crooked smile. "This is me we're talking about here."
"I know," Brock chuckled. "I may as well be giving advice to a brick wall. Good luck."
"Thanks." Ash turned down the hall and walked deliberately to it. The door slid up into the ceiling as he came close to it, and closed after he entered.
"Let's wait for him in the lobby," Jackson suggested to Brock.
Brock looked at the door once more, than turned to Jackson. "Alright. Let's go," he replied, and followed Jackson back down the hallway.
Ash found himself in what seemed like a living room. There was a couch, some chairs, a television, stereo. It almost seemed like he was in a normal house. Pikachu jumped down from his shoulder to walk alongside Ash. "Hello?" he called, walking around the room. He didn't want to sit down uninvited. In fact, he was almost unsure whether he should be there at all. "Is anyone here?"
There wasn't even a sound to indicate that the person was there. Ash just felt a touch on his shoulder, light as a flower petal falling, and suddenly he was falling to the ground, feet tripped up by a leg behind him. He landed flat on his back with a thump, the air being driven from his chest on landing. "Ow," he gasped, trying to recover his breath. It wasn't until after he could breathe again that he noticed that he was being straddled by a girl about his age, her dark hair wet and her shirt sticking to her skin in some places, as if she hadn't finished drying off from a shower or a swim. It took him another moment to realize how close her face was to his, and another to finally realize that her forearm was across his throat, ready to cut him from air at the slightest provocation.
"Who are you," the girl asked, "And what are you doing here?" Her breath smelled of mint and her hair of lavender. Odd how he was noticing these little insignificant details. Ash felt a pressure at his throat. "Well?"
Ash swallowed. "Uh, I'm Ash. Jackson brought me here."
"Pika!" Pikachu was standing next to Ash's head now, sparks flying from his cheeks, an angry glare in his eyes. He was ready to shock this girl to kingdom come, and would in a second.
"Hold on a second Pikachu," Ash asked. "Let's all just calm down." He looked back at the girl. "I gave you my name. Can I get yours?"
"Jacky, if you're going to jump a guy, can you at least do it in your own room?" a new voice said from across the room.
The girls face suddenly turned red, and she jumped up and away, spluttering. "I wasn't... We weren't... He's not... He snuck in here!" she finally said. "I don't know who he is. Don't I have a right to protect myself from trespassers?"
The new person came into view and reached out a hand towards Ash to help him up. "Of course you do Jacky," he said patronizingly. "But you should probably find out why he's here before you start choking him to death." Ash grabbed the hand and was pulled up by the man. Once he was standing, he looked from the girl, Jacky apparently, to the other man, who was old enough to be her grandfather. Before he could say anything, Jacky stomped off in another direction, muttering something under her breath about boys.
"Sorry about that," the older gentleman said. "I'm Bill, and that was my pupil Jacky." He held out his hand to shake Ash's.
Ash took the hand. "I'm Ash, and that's Pikachu." Pikachu was eying the newcomer warily.
"I see that," he said with a smile towards the mouse. "So, what can I do for you Ash?"
"Well, a guy named Jackson brought me here."
"You don't say," Bill said.
"Yeah. I'm supposed to have a match against the leader here I guess. I beat Jackson, then Tom just a little bit ago."
"Really. It's been a while since someone beat Tom. You must be a pretty good trainer."
Ash shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to brag. He sensed that bragging wouldn't impress Bill.
"So you're here for the big guy. You think you're ready?"
"I guess I have to be, don't I?" Ash asked.
Bill laughed. "I suppose you do, don't you? Alright, follow me. I'll take you to the ring."
"Will he be there?" Ash asked, following Bill.
"He should be. I am 'the big guy,' after all."
"Really? I was expecting someone a bit... well, younger."
Bill laughed again. "Don't spare my feelings, Ash."
"I mean, I don't mean that you can't battle. It's just that, the way Tom and Jackson were talking about you, you seemed..."
"Yeah, I know what you meant." Bill opened up a door and walked through it, Ash following him. They were in another fighting ring, the lines painted in chalk lines on a grass field.
"We're inside, aren't we?" Ash asked.
"Yup. That's what makes this so cool." Bill walked over to a wall and hit a button on it. "Jacky, come out here when you're ready. I want you to watch this." He turned back to Ash. "Which side do you want?"
"I'll take the blue side," Ash said, heading to the side with the blue flags.
"That means I'm red." Bill went to the red side and waited for Jacky to show up. When she did, she looked exasperated.
"Yes Bill?"
"I need you to judge."
"Fine." She walked to the center of the ring, then backed up to the wall. "Grass?"
"Oh, right. Ash, this is a special ring. We have a variable terrain option. It can change to whatever you want. We're doing a three on three match. The winner of each individual match chooses the terrain for the next battle. Since you're the visitor, I'll let you have the first terrain choice."
Ash looked surprised. "Wait, how does it change?"
Bill shrugged. "I'm not exactly sure. I just know it does."
"What are the options?"
"Whatever you want."
Ash thought for a second. "Let's start with a rocky field, with a couple really big ones in there."
Jacky pushed a couple buttons on the wall. Platforms were raised from the ground like in the room with Tom, and Ash and Pikachu were raised from the ground to look at the grassy field. Suddenly, it flashed white, the light moved around, and the terrain was changed. It was like looking at a mountain trail. It was plain brown dirt, with rocks embedded in the ground and lying on the ground. There were two big rocks on the field too, one on each side.
"That's really cool," Ash said.
"Isn't it though?" Bill pulled out a Pokeball. "So, you ready to start?"
Ash smiled, and turned his cap around, pulling out a Pokeball of his own. "Whenever you are, old man."
Bill furrowed his brow, looking intently at Ash. Then, he smiled and burst out laughing. "Oh, this is too good," Bill said between his laughs. "I don't know how I didn't see it before."
"See what?" Ash asked.
"What's your last name Ash?" Bill asked, a knowing glint in his eyes.
"Ketchum. Can you tell me what's going on? Tom acted funny too, and I want to know why. He told me you knew the answers."
"I'm not surprised Tom acted funny. Tell you what. If you can beat me, I'll answer three questions. Sound like a deal?"
Ash nodded. "Deal."
"Jacky, you ready?" Bill asked.
Jacky was staring at Ash intently. Wow, she thought to herself. First Haruka's kid, and now Ketchum's. This is going to be good. "Yeah. Trainers ready? Select your Pokemon."
Ash threw his Pokeball out first. "Charizard, let's go." Charizard burst forth from his ball with tongues of fire licking out between his mouth, his tail flame stoked high. He looked positively ferocious, his wings beating slightly, stirring up the dust in the ring, ready for a fight.
Bill tossed his ball out at the same time. "Donphan," he said quietly as the Pokemon was released. The elephant-like Pokemon reared up and trumpeted its name, landing back on all fours with the sound of the ground beneath its feat cracking slightly. "So that's what you have left," Bill said across the ring. "I already know from Jackson that you have a Buizel, Monferno, Glalie, and of course Pikachu. I was wondering what you had left in your team. A Charizard wasn't quite what I was expecting, as you already have a fire-type. What else do you have up your sleeve?"
Ash didn't respond. He looked at Jacky expectantly, waiting for the battle to start.
She shook her head and looked at the arena. "Battle, start!" she yelled.
"Charizard, return!" Ash said, holding out the Pokeball. The red beam of light touched Charizard, and he was recalled back to the ball.
"Interesting," Bill said. "Switching out so early?"
Ash just gave a crooked smile and threw out another ball. "Sceptile, go!" The grass Pokemon was released in the starting position, standing nonchalantly, twig in mouth. "Now I'm ready."
"Alright, let's start this than. Defense Curl Donphan!"
"Solar Beam Sceptile!"
Sceptile began gathering energy in his mouth, standing in the ready position, watching Donphan as it curled into a ball. The enemy Pokemon flashed once, raising its defense, but didn't come out of its ball. Instead, it began spinning like a wheel, sending up a cloud of dust behind it, waiting for its command to move.
Sceptile's attack finished charging, and he took aim. With a roar, the beam of solar energy streaked across the arena towards Donphan.
"Rapid Spin!" Donphan's forward spinning stopped abruptly, and changed to a sideways spin, like a top. The sudden change in rotation caused Donphan to veer to the side crazily, getting him just out of the way of the attack. It didn't stop there though. Donphan kept moving side to side, back and forward, unpredictable, changing direction all the time, yet still heading straight towards Sceptile. Another direction change sent it straight towards the grass Pokemon at a crazy speed. Only Sceptiles quick reflexes saved it from the attack, jumping to the side at the last minute. Donphan changed direction just as quickly, however, launching itself at Sceptile again. Once more, Sceptile jumped out of the way. And once more, Donphan followed.
"Sceptile, Leaf Blade!" Instead of jumping out of the way, Sceptile launched itself at Donphan, the leaves on his arm glowing green and growing out to long blades. Like a strike of lightning, the speed of Sceptile's attack cut through the air, landing with a resounding crack on the foe Donphan. It halted all forward movement, sending Donphan backwards and into the air, still curled up, and into one of the large rocks in the arena, like a shot fired from a canon. The rock held, barely, but large chunks fell away from it, flying out in all directions.
"Rollout Donphan!" Donphan launched itself from the debris as if nothing had happened, a streak of dust being kicked up behind it as it rolled towards Sceptile.
"Agility!" Sceptile kicked in a burst of speed of its own, nimbly dodging out of the way, then keeping up behind Donphan as it rolled on, trying to circle back around to attack Sceptile.
Bill saw that Donphan was at a disadvantage in speed. Sceptile was closing the distance, and still avoiding all attempts at being hit. Reluctantly, he gave his next command. "Defense Curl!" Abruptly, Donphan stopped, glowing once again. Surprised at the sudden stop, Sceptile continued hurtling forward and tripped over the immobile Pokemon. He kept his focus, though, and performed a front roll and spun around and once more charged the Pokemon.
"Pound it into the air Sceptile!" Sceptile came to a stop right in front of the curled up Pokemon, bringing his left fist down, arm scraping the ground, and hit the Donphan squarely, popping it up ten feet into the air. "Now Leaf Blade!" Sceptiles arm leaves grew again as it jumped up to meet the now falling Donphan. Sceptile drew his right arm back and, using his Leaf Blade, spiked the helpless Donphan into the other large rock on the field. It struck the rock with a crash, the entire rock collapsing on top of the foe Pokemon. Sceptile landed nimbly, chewing the twig in his mouth, waiting for the dust to clear.
Finally, it settled, revealing the fainted Donphan amidst the rubble of the rock. "Donphan is unable to battle," Jacky declared, no emotion in her voice.
"That was a good first round Ash," Bill said, recalling his fainted Pokemon. "You're the victor. Would you like to change the terrain, or leave it as is?"
Ash examined the field, thinking. "Can the weather be changed as well?"
Bill smiled. "Now you're thinking. Yes, it can be."
Ash nodded. "Then I want it to be sunny and lightly forested."
Jacky hit a couple buttons on the wall, and the arena changed again. Now it was grass in stead of dirt, and in the stead of rocks were a few saplings and two large trees. It was also almost blindingly bright.
Sceptile moved to his place again, waiting for his foe to face him.
"Frosslass," Bill said, tossing a ball almost lazily into the field, "Go." The ghost Pokemon floated serenely to her starting place opposite Sceptile.
"Battle, start!"
"Shadow Ball Frosslass!" The enemy Pokemon brought its hands together, forming a ball of darkness between the upraised hands.
"Agility Sceptile!" As the Shadow Ball flew across the seperating distance, Sceptile sprinted to the side in a green blur, the creeping blackness of the Shadow Ball missing him and hurtling into Ash's platform. The impact shook the structure, causing Ash to fall down. "Solar Beam!" he cried out even as he fell.
"Ice Beam."
The bright light sped up Sceptile's attack. The energy gathered in a heartbeat and shot towards Frosslass, who responded in kind with her own beam attack. The two energies met with an explosion, neutralizing each other.
Not good. Sceptile can't hold out against Ice attacks. "Sceptile return!" Ash cried out, holding out his Pokeball. Sceptile looked surprised as it was recalled back to the on-deck position, but didn't fight it. "Charizard, go!" The fire Pokemon came out once more, but this time in a billow of smoke and fire, having released its frustration of being recalled so soon while inside of the ball. He looked up at Ash once, blew a brief puff of fire his way, and then glared at his opponent.
"Ice Beam Frosslass."
"Flamethrower!"
The opposite attacks hurtled across the field, meeting in another explosion, sending a resonating boom throughout the ring. Ash barely heard what Bill said over the boom.
"Shadow ball."
Ash could almost make out the point of glowing darkness through the smoke. "Charizard, Steel Wing!"
Charizard leaped into the air with a beat of his wings, clearing the smoke away from him. His wings began to glow a dark gray as he circled upwards into the air. He began to make his descent towards Frosslass when the Shadow Ball flew up to meet him. Charizard neatly barrel rolled out of the way and charged at Frosslass, beating his wings every so often to maintain course.
"Ice Shard."
Charizard wasn't twenty feet away when he was struck with chunks of ice. They weren't big, but they were many, and they threw off is aim. Instead of pulling up and hitting Frosslass, he pulled up and flew at a tree. Only a last minute adjustment prevented him from flying headlong into it, and instead sliced it down with his wing edge.
"Shadow Ball."
Once more, Frosslass gathered energy into a growing point of darkness. Charizard flew around the ring and hovered momentarily near Ash. "Fly at it and use Flamethrower," Ash whispered. Charizard nodded and, with a great wing stroke, flew at the Frosslass. As soon as she threw her Shadow Ball, Charizard spit out a Flamethrower. The two attacks met each other in a flash of light and smoke. But that didn't stop Charizard. He flew straight through the smoke and charged Frosslass.
"Seismic Toss!" Ash commanded. Charizard guessed at the attack even before Ash commanded it. He took the Frosslass into a his arms and flew the two of them straight up. He flipped over, and proceeded to fly straight down. At the last instant, Charizard let go of Frosslass and pulled up from the dive, belly skimming over the grass. Frosslass dove straight into the unforgiving ground, sending up chunks of sod and soil, making a small crater.
"Frosslass is unable to battle," Jacky declared once more, emotionless still.
Bill recalled his Pokemon once more. "That's two for two Ash," he said conversationally, pulling out his last Pokeball. "Are you going to change the terrain?"
Ash shook his head. "No, I'll keep it as is." He was feeling pretty good about himself. Here he was, winning two bouts two in a row. Now he had only to beat this last one. Ash let himself smile cockily. "I'm ready whenever you are," he said when Charizard flew back to his position, hovering in the air.
Bill also smiled. "I'll bet you are." He threw out his final Pokemon. "Walrein, go!"
The large blue Pokemon came from its ball with a majestic grace, letting out a breath, which seemed to almost fog in the air. It lowered its head and snorted in Charizard's direction, glaring belligerently at the flying Pokemon.
"Battle, start!"
"Flamethrower Charizard!"
Bill smiled exuberantly and shouted "Ice Beam Walrein!" He was showing more emotion now that he was down to his last Pokemon, and the excitement seemed to set his blood boiling with energy and enthusiasm.
The two attacks met in the center of the ring, but instead of neutralizing each other, the Ice Beam continued on, extinguishing the Flamethrower as it went.
"Dodge Charizard!" Ash yelled, taken by surprise at the power of the attack. Charizard beat his wings and flew straight up. The Ice Beam was fast, though, and nicked his foot as he tried to dodge, covering the foot in a block of ice. The suddenness of the cold and the extra weight startled Charizard, and he fell to the ground with a thump.
"Hydro Pump!" There was no way Charizard could even hope to dodge it. He was caught flat footed and on the ground. The blast of water struck him, throwing him backwards, out of the ring, and into the wall. When the deluge finally ceased, Charizard fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Charizard is unable to battle," Jacky said in her monotone.
"Charizard, return!" Ash recalled his fainted Pokemon to its ball. He eyed the Walrein with unease. Charizard was far from a weak Pokemon, and the Walrein took him out with only a few attacks. Sure, the type difference might have something to do with it, but still... That Walrein was insanely strong. Ash would have to tread carefully now. Pulling out Sceptile's ball, he glanced across at Bill before tossing it into the ring. "Careful Sceptile," he cautioned when it was out.
Bill nodded. "I'm going to change the terrain," he stated. "Let's make it overcast, and a pool with ice floes on my side, and ice on Ash's side.
Jacky changed the ring to specifications. Walrein sunk under the water, popping its head up after a second, blowing water out of its nose. Sceptile looked warily at the clouds covering the light, as did Ash. Solar Beam was out of the question now.
"Battle, start!"
"Ice Beam Walrein!" The walrus Pokemon shot its frigid attack at Sceptile before Bill even finished the command.
"Agility!" Ash shouted a split second later. Sceptile dashed out of the way not a moment to soon, the Ice Beam flying past him and into Ash's platform, covering a huge portion of it in ice.
"Surf, now!" Walrein started to swim forward, a huge swell of water forming up under it. Then the swell passed it, continuing forward and growing exponentially, charging the ice covered portion of the arena. The now giant wave towered over the ring, curling forward to crash down on Sceptile.
"Leaf Blade!" Sceptile charged the wave, arm blades glowing and growing. Putting in an extra burst of speed, Sceptile jumped straight into the towering wave. Instead of being crushed, though, Sceptile cut his way through the wave with the Leaf Blade, water spraying outwards before his attack. The wave didn't even slow him as he shot towards Walrein.
"Sheer Cold." The command was barely audible, but Ash heard it. And his eyes grew wide in shock.
Walrein glowed blue for a moment. Then there was a burst of freezing air released from the Pokemon in all directions. Not a light, gentle breeze, but an arctic gale. The force of the wind caught Sceptile and launched him backwards onto the ice covered portion of the ring. Barely, he caught his footing, stopping his backward movement, but even then he couldn't move forward. It was all he could do to stay still. But that wasn't even the attack. Now, a sphere of blue energy expanded from around Walrein. Everything the energy touched froze. The water around it became solid ice as the wall of blue closed on Sceptile. It was over in an instant. Sceptile was touched, and froze into a block of ice.
"Sceptile is unable to battle." And just like that, it was two wins to two wins.
"I got to give it to you Ash," Bill said from his side of the ring. "You've put up a good fight. But, you can't hope to stand up against Walrein. He's as old as I am, and stronger than almost everything I've come across. Actually, only one Pokemon has ever beaten my Walrein, and that Pokemon was trained by the best trainer I've ever met."
Ash called his Sceptile back to his ball. He had never been unsure of this battle until now. This Walrein was almost unbelievable. In almost no time at all, it had knocked out two of Ash's strongest Pokemon. He took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts. Once he had calmed, he looked back across at Bill. Two of his strongest, yes. But not THE strongest.
"I hear you Bill," Ash said. "But we're about to change that count from one, to two." Ash looked down at Pikachu, who had been sitting quietly at Ash's feet until then. "You ready?" he asked.
Pikachu grinned up at him. "Pika!" With that, Pikachu jumped down into the ring.
Bill looked at his newest opponent. "I don't know what you're thinking son," he said to Ash, "But this isn't the way to go. You're idea is right, you need to go with an electric type. But as far as electric types go, Pikachus are towards the bottom when it comes to strength. Just give the match, and I won't have to hurt your friend."
"You may be right about other Pikachus," Ash responded. "But not MY Pikachu."
Bill sighed, almost regretfully. "So be it. Jacky, restore the field to previous specifications, change the weather to hail."
The water that Walrein had frozen liquefied back to normal, and the overcast clouds became darker. Pea sized bits of ice began falling from the clouds, pelting the water and ice and Pokemon.
"Battle, start!"
"Walrein, Surf!" Bill commanded imperiously. He seemed impervious to the hail falling on him, as if it didn't exist. Walrein made his wave again, sending it at the little yellow mouse.
"Volt Tackle through the wave!" Ash shouted, struggling to make himself heard over the roar of the hail clashing on the ground and the wave crashing towards the ice.
Pikachu heard him. Launching into a full on sprint, Pikachu surrounded himself in electricity, more than he had before. The cascading flow of electricity scorched the ice as he ran, picking up speed as the wave towered towards him. "Pika!" he yelled as he reached the end of the ice shelf, jumping straight into the falling wave. The water sizzled as the electricity came in contact with it, sending up steam as he passed through it. The wave crashed on the ice, but Pikachu made it through, landing on one of the ice floes on Bills side of the arena.
"Ice Beam Walrein!" Almost before Pikachu landed on the floating ice, Walrein launched its attack. The blast of energy flew through the air towards the electric Pokemon, sure to freeze him solid.
"Quick Attack, jump to the other floes!"
"Pika!" Pikachu jumped to the next floe, quicker than the eye could follow. The Ice Beam struck where Pikachu used to be, freezing the water around the ice, making it larger.
"Again!" Bill and Ash shouted at the same time. Pikachu jumped, Walrein missed. This happened twice more, jumping out of the way of an oncoming Ice Beam right before it hit, freezing the water and making the floes larger. Then...
"Thunderbolt!"
"Ice Beam!"
The Thunderbolt hurtled across the ring, meeting the opposing Ice Beam. The two jagged energies met with a glow of red, and then an explosion. Smoke covered the arena, followed by an icy wind laced with stray static charges, clearing the smoke from the field.
"Quick Attack!" Ash commanded. Pikachu put on a burst of speed straight at Walrein, not veering in the slightest.
"Hydro Pump!" Bill yelled. Walrein took a deep breath, and then shot his torrential attack at the oncoming Pikachu. And at the last minute, Pikachu jumped to one of the larger ice floes, and then jumped again at Walrein.
"Iron Tail!" Pikachu whipped his tail around, still moving at blurring speeds. The attack caught Walrein square on the head, sending him sprawling sideways through the water before sinking from sight.
All was silent for a moment, save for the constant falling of the hail. Ash could see now that it was hurting Pikachu, if only slightly. Then, Bill broke the silence. "Surf," he said, calmly.
Ash couldn't see where the attack was coming from . Then he realized it was coming from directly underneath Pikachu. "Get out of the way!" Ash yelled, but he couldn't see how. The wave grew and picked up the ice that Pikachu was on. He had no where to run, and it was too far to jump to another floe. Ash watched in stunned silence as the wave rose, and then fell on the iced half of the ring, smashing Pikachu and the floe he was on to the ground. Pikachu struggled to his feet after the wave recessed, shivering from the water, being pelted by the rain.
"Pikachu!" he yelled across from the podium. "Pikachu, come back!" But Pikachu shook his head stubbornly. "Why?!" Ash yelled. "It's okay, we'll try again." But Pikachu still refused. Instead, he limped back to where he started the match. And it was then that Ash heard Pikachu. It was very low, very quiet. But he heard it. A long, drawn out, constant, 'Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.' Ash looked at his long time friend for a moment, and then nodded. "Alright," he said.
Bill looked at the little mouse Pokemon. It stood there, but just barely. It looked determined, ready to fight this to the end. Bill nodded his head in respect to the electric Pokemon. He was impressed that it had even made it this long. "Walrein!" he called out. The walrus Pokemon poked its head above the water. "Jump up on one of the floes." Obediantly, the Pokemon jumped onto a floe and faced the Pikachu. "Hey Ash!" he called out across the ring, over the hail falling. "What do you way we finish this now, eh?"
Ash smiled, nodding. "I say that's a good idea."
"Then push the shield button on your platform. I'd hate for you to get caught in Walrein's Sheer Cold attack."
Ash looked at the platform, and found the button. He reached down, pushing it. "Okay," he said, "But you should put yours on too. I'd hate for you to get caught in Pikachu's Thunderbolt."
Bill laughed. "Kid, I admire your spirit. But I've seen your Thunderbolt. It's strong, but not strong enough." Still, he pushed the button. And, though they didn't see it, Jacky activated a shield of her own.
"Walrein," Bill said. "It's been a while since we've come across an opponent like Ash. Let's send him out with a bang. Once again, but bigger this time. Sheer Cold!" The arctic gale returned in full force, blasting Pikachu back a pace. But, he held his ground.
Ash couldn't hear Pikachu over the gale now. Then, it changed. "Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa--" Pikachu was saying, louder now, so that he could be heard over the gale. Electricity sputtered from his cheeks. Then from his sides. His tail. His feet. His entire body was being shrouded in electricity. He was digging deep now, into his electricity. The yellow energy swathed him, charges hitting the ice, scorching it, melting it, becoming bigger and thicker, reaching further. Before long, ropes of electricity were shooting from the little yellow mouse to hit the ground ten feet away.
And then it came.
The wave of blue energy expanded from Walrein, slowly, but gaining speed. Once again, the water froze solid as it passed, marching towards Pikachu.
"It's time, buddy!" Ash yelled over the hail and waves and wind. "Cut loose!"
Pikachu was small. But, he was strong. Stronger than he should have been. And with the urging of his trainer, he let loose everything that he had held back until then.
"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Electricity hurtled from Pikachu straight at the oncoming attack, dozens of tendrils of power, thick as Ash's arm, flying through the air with speed and power, like lightning bolts thrown by Zeus to smite those that had displeased him.
The two powerful attacks met in the middle of the ring. The Sheer Cold a relentless wall of power, Thunderbolt a hundred stabbing lances of energy, each battling for supremacy over the other, and neither giving an inch.
Bill stared in amazement, mouth agape. A Thunderbolt, holding back Sheer Cold. A Thunderbolt, from a Pikachu. He stared at Pikachu, and then smiled. And then, he laughed. "Hahahahaha! I love this!" he yelled out. "This is when you know you're living!"
Sheer Cold met Thunderbolt with equal power. And then, stunningly, they were unequal. The wall of blue energy shattered, sending a fresh wave of freezing wind around the entire arena, pushing everything backwards. Pikachu slid to the edge of the ring, but didn't stop his attack. Now, with nothing to resist it, Pikachu's Thunderbolt zeroed in on its target, and struck.
The sound was deafening, like a hundred claps of thunder sounding at once. Steam flew into the air, thicker than pea soup, and the entire room was silent. Ash couldn't see anything outside of the little bubble like shield that had protected him from everything.
The silence was ended with the sound of fans turning on. The steam lifted, revealing the results of the final round. Pikachu stood at the base of Ash's platform, shivering, and standing only through sheer force of will. Walrein lay at the bottom of the now empty pool, unconscious, but alive. And the entire room was covered in scorch marks where the Thunderbolts had hit. Pikachu, even in the midst of battle, had controlled his powerful attack enough that only what was needed to win struck Walrein, and the rest found other targets.
"Walrein is unable to battle," Jacky declared. And, for the first time in the match, she let emotion color her voice. Awe. Fear. Surprise. She looked at Ash and Pikachu as if they were angels descended from heaven. "Ash is the winner."
-------------------
ANII: So. Hi. Just so you know, I hadn't forgotten about this. I just couldn't figure out how to write it well. To long, I know. I should have done this months ago. But, it's here now. I will take any scolding my readers feel I deserve. Because I feel like I deserve whatever is dished out to me. I mean, it isn't really fair to make you guys wait... I don't even know how long it's been now.
Just as side notes, I feel I should express some feelings that I have about this piece. The Tom battle was, in my opinion, dull and uninspired. But it had to be done. The Bill Battle, particularly the Walrein Pikachu face off at the end, however, has been in my head since the end of the last chapter. But I just couldn't get myself to write it out properly. Anyways. Let me know what you think.
~Penguin King