Commentator: "The future of Cerulean Gym is finally about to be decided! It lies in the hands of final two contestants. It's the strategy and strength master Aaron Genn vs our own Gym leader Misty Waterflower!"
Referee: "Same rules as before, battle begin."
Misty: "I am not going down to some random pervert. Go Gyarados!"
Ash: "Let's now show our full power of Kahuna Nui. You would be surprised by my final offer. Heh, I choose you!"
Gyarados: "Grr" (Watch out overgrown frog)
Greninja smirks, "Jaa" (Let's see)
Misty: "Gyarados, let's start this with power! Hydro Canon!"
Ash: "Dodge it and then use Cut." Greninja put its hand together and formed a sword made of white energy and then dodged the attack.
Misty: "Intercept with Dragon Tail." Cut and Dragon Tail collided for dominance but neither of them were willing to give an inch.
Ash: "Greninja pull back! We should not show our full power as yet."
Misty: "It's time to turn it up a notch, Gyarados Mega Evolve!! Misty held onto her key stone that was in her hair tie, a light shone and connected to the mega stone which was imbedded into Gyarados' forehead. A blinding light followed and Gyarados started to change form into a much larger version of itself, its jaws grew and the fins on its back looked like the sails on a ship. Gyarados let out a deafening roar that shook the arena and Misty was sure she heard some spectators scream from fear. "Okay, now use Hyper Beam Gyarados, wide range."
Ash: "Dodge it quickly Greninja."
Misty: "Grab it with your tail."
Ash: "Oh no! Get out of there Greninja, use Aerial Ace." Greninja was squirming and punching to get out while Gyarados kept a firm grip and was charging up its Hyper Beam.
Misty: "Release and then throw it towards the wall." Hyper Beam hit Greninja point blank range and it collided with the wall.
Ash: "No! Greninja! Can you still battle?" Greninja nodded but Ash knew it was time to use his special weapon. "Ok, Greninja! Let's become stronger together, STRONGER, STRONGER TOGETHER!!!" Ash and Greninja both raised their right hands as a huge water veil surrounded Greninja. After that the current converged to a point on its back and took the shape of a giant Water Shuriken, then the sides of Greninja's head grew outwards to resemble Ash's hair and a red fin appeared on its head while zigzag marks formed next to its eyes. Ash-Greninja finally made its appearance.
Commentator: "What is this???"
Misty: "Mega Evolution without the stones? Is it possible??"
Ash: "It is called Bond Phenomenon. When..."
Misty: 'I think I am absolutely intimidated but I should not show it.' "Enough chitchat, Gyarados use Incinerate!"
Ash: "Greninja, Cut it and then go in with Aerial Ace." Greninja cut the Incinerate into pieces and then took off like a rocket towards Gyarados with a melee of kicks and punches with Ash mimicking every attack he made.
Ash: "Now time for the end. Double Team and then WATER SHURIKEN!" Greninja formed multiple copies and held the Shuriken above its head with Ash copying the same actions. "Like the Sun shining in Alola, like the greenery of forests, lush and green, use Solar Water Shuriken!!!" The Shuriken grew into a large dark green shaped spinning Shuriken which made a ringing sound as it spun.
Misty was visibly scared now, "Oh no! Throw everything. Gyarados please try to deflect it with your Hyper Beam, full power!" Gyarados looked afraid but with its remaining energy fired Hyper Beam giving all it had to survive this hit.
Ash: "Now, finish this Greninja, let's go!" The Solar Water Shuriken cut through the attack like a hot red knife through butter and struck Gyarados resulting in a massive explosion with huge smoke erupting, the air rippled and threw back Misty and Ash while even the spectators had to hold down their belongings.
Commentator: "What in the world just happened?! What insane power shown by that Greninja in umm… Whatever the heck that form was! Did it end things though folks? The smoke needs to subside for us to see the results!"
Misty struggled to her feet, "What happened?"
The smoke finally subsides with Greninja panting a little while Gyarados was lying in ahuge crater, battered and bruised clearly knocked out.
Referee: "Aaron Genn wins with Greninja defeating Mega Gyarados."
Commentator: "I am not that surprised now. How many secrets are left to be shown? I have no words to praise this talented young trainer known as Aaron.
Ash laughed, "Now, Misty, I think we know what happens next." Misty cringed at the thought of what this sick pervert would even want from her. "I will give you two options."
"What is it Aaron?" Misty said with a hint of fear in her voice.
Ash: "Either you become my maid for one day or hand over the gym to me."
Misty: "What?! No... Please, anything but that?"
Ash: "You have 15 seconds. Fast!"
Misty sighed, "Okay…" Misty somberly walk towards Ash with closed eyes and defeated sigh. "The gym is very close to me and my sisters and its way too precious to ever give up so I guess I'll be your maid for a day."
Ash snickered, "Can you repeat it? I don't think that I heard it correctly."
Misty: "I SAID OKAY!!!"
Ash: "I accept. Now first thing to do is that I challenge you to a 6 vs 6 battle but I guess it's 5 more to go seeing as your Gyarados is out of it huh?"
Misty: "WHAT???"
Ash: "Yup, you heard me right Misty." Ash took off his bulky coat and mask to show his face and messy black hair. Pikachu was curled up in his jacket hidden all this time as well.
Misty stuttered, "A... As...Ash, Pikachu? Is that really you guys?" Tears began to form in her eyes as she couldn't believe her luck.
Ash chuckled, "Hey I was joking about the maid part so relax but you have to face me in a 6v6 battle as I need your gym badge. Let's continue with this one, kay?"
Misty: "Wow, it's been a while you dumb idiot. You scared me big time here." She punched him on his shoulder and Pikachu jumped down as he had no intention of getting hit today.
Ash: "It sure has been Misty, now about the challenge."
Misty: "Sure but I will not go easy on you."
Ash: "I want it that way too."
The crowd cheered loudly by this turn of events, some sobbing with delight that Misty did not have to give up her gym.
Commentator: "So, the mysterious boy was Ash Ketchum. Give him a big cheers and be ready for the battle of your life for the full 6 on 6 battle or should I say 5v5 battle!"
Ash: "So, let's continue our match. This should be fun!"
Misty giggled, "Sure Ash, you haven't changed one bit." Misty runs to her side, "Misty chooses Starmie!"
Ash: "Ready Greninja, let's keep going and show our true power!" Greninja looked at Ash and fist pumped.
The battle continued with Ash using Greninja, Infernape and Pikachu defeating Misty's Gyarados, Starmie, Corsola, Luvdisk, Psysuck and Seaking with Ash substituting his Pokémon so that they didn't get too hurt.
Misty: "Wow, your Greninja is super strong, Infernape and Pikachu too. You've really grown Ash."
Commentator: "There you have it folks. Ash defeated Misty by 6-0 and what a feat that is! Give him a round of applause." The crown cheered themselves hoarse from such a show of power.
Ash: "It was fun, Misty."
Misty: "It sure was, although you wiped my whole team without me getting much of a hit in."
Ash: "I guess this is our farewell then as I've got a lot more to do still."
Misty was sad to see Ash leave so soon again but she'd never hold him back from his dream, "Bye Ash. I will come to the Indigo League to watch your matches in the league. You know I've always supported you!"
Ash: Bye Misty and take care of yourself kay? No more fighting weird perverts and I'll be more than happy to know you've got my back like the old days."
Misty gave a quick kiss to Ash on his cheek. "That was for an awesome match Ash and for helping me these past couple days."
Ash chuckled, "Thanks for the match Misty. I'll see you around." He waved and turned his back and left. Ash walked towards the Pokémon Center where he exchanged Infernape and Unfezant for Pidgeot and Butterfree. His mind wandered on Misty's kiss on his cheek and he thought, 'Why does this feel like nothing while the one that Serena gave me at the Lumiose Airport made my heart flutter and sent shivers down my spine?' "Aghh... Now time to train some more, I'll figure this out later!"
As Ash was making his way back to Pallet town, he was in deep thought again even if he didn't want to. He was riding on his Pidgeot thinking about a certain honey blonde performer who always captured his thoughts whenever he was alone. It truly felt like he was haunted by her smile, the taste of her lips on that fateful day never truly left him either and it drove him crazy during his times of solitude. He had not heard from her since that incident at the Lumiose Airport and sometimes he really cursed himself for not trying harder to get a hold of her some way or another. Her words always rang in his ears as well, 'I would emerge as a more attractive woman for you the next time we will meet.' Though he did not understand the hidden meanings in her words, he was thinking of meeting her but was unsure of where she was at this time or even if she would want to see him yet. He planned to become a stronger trainer for her, he wanted to make her proud and he wanted to see that smile on her face. All this and he didn't even realize that he was developing strong feelings for her. Sometimes his density really did hold him back but only seeing Serena again would ever open his mind and his heart to what he truly desired.
Amidst his thoughts, he suddenly heard some voices in his head, "Help me, save me from them, please!" Ash was surprised. When Ash looked down, he saw that he was passing over Virdian forest.
Ash: "Pidgeot, can you land there, please?"
Pidgeot chirped in agreement and dove downwards while Ash was directing him to the place where he thought that he heard that voice.
Ash: "Pidgeot, please land there near the bush silently." Pidgeot did as directed and Ash returned him.
Ash: "What's happening here, buddy?"
Pikachu: "Chu Pika Pika Chu" (I sense trouble). Ash peeked over the bushes and saw a Riolu caught in a cage. Riolu had scars and cuts on his body showing signs of being beaten up. Some men were carrying it to Arceus knows where but Ash's blood was boiling seeing this so he suddenly leapt out of the bushes.
Ash: "Hey!! Leave that Riolu alone or else."
Poacher1: "Or else what? Do you think we will be scared by you little boy?"
Poacher2: "Scared? Are you joking? We are Hunter Jackson's subordinates. Only him and no one else can order us."
Poacher3: "And to think, you can stop us. It's foolish, so go cry on your mama's lap, boy."
The three poachers called out a Tyranitar, Aggron and Rhyperior to battle.
Pikachu: "ChuPikapikapi" (Let's teach them a lesson). His cheeks sparked with anger.
Poachers: "Kid, we are giving you one last chance to back off otherwise you will be crying in your mother's lap."
Ash: "There is no way I am leaving a Pokémon in need. Pikachu, let's show them our full power!" Ash turned his cap backwards and flashed his Z ring with Electrium Z. Pikachu nodded in agreement.
Ash: "Let's do this." Ash performed the necessary steps for the electric type Z move GIGAVOLT HAVOC.
Poachers: "Wait, is he serious? Can he defeat us by some weird dance moves? Tyranitar, Aggron and Rhyperior. Hyper Beam and obliterate this stupid kid with a baby Pikachu."
Energy began flowing from Ash's body towards Pikachu and an arrow sign was shown while the poachers Pokémon charged their Hyper Beam.
Ash: "This is everything we have got. PIKACHU! GIGAVOLT HAVOC. LET'S GO!" Pikachu's Z move and the combined Hyper Beams collided struggling for dominance but after a fraction of a second, Gigavolt Havoc cut through the Hyper Beams shocking the three gigantic Pokémon in a massive explosion that blew away some surrounding trees.
Poachers: "What the hell was that?" Their Pokémon were barely standing after that massive hit but Pikachu was also panting from the power he exerted.
Poacher2: "Aggron, Hammer Arm!" As soon as Aggron moved a few steps, he fell back with swirly eyes. "What the hell?"
Ash: Pikachu, let's make it easier for them. Use Iron Tail!"
Poacher1: "Crush Claw Tyranitar, from the same position." The poachers were sweating with fear.
Poacher3: "Rhyperior, Rock Wrecker." Rhyperior was in a better condition than the rest of them due to being a ground type.
Ash: "Pikachu, slice that Rock Wreaker and direct it towards Tyranitar and then Quick Attack into Iron Tail to finish off Rhyperior." A large rock was forming overhead that could make any Pokémon run with fear but not Pikachu. He used his tail as a spring to jump upwards and sliced that big rock into two pieces before directing it towards Tyranitar who could only claw at the rocks to survive. Then he jumped on the other rock and glided towards Rhyperior and then smashes his Iron tail on the ground type Pokémon, making him faint instantly.
Poacher3: "Now,I am really scared. Please do something No. 1."
Poacher1: "Our last hope. Tyranitar, Mega Evolve." Multiple lights came from number 1's keystone and Tyranitar's Mega stone hanging on his spiked head making Tyranitar Mega Evolve. "Now, muster all of your strength and energy into this last move. DRACO METEOR!"
Ash smirks after hearing that. "You know what to do buddy, Draco Meteor Climb."
Pikachu: "Chuchu" (Now that is easy) While a single ball of draconian energy burst into multiple and began descending towards ground, Pikachu used his Iron Tail again to ascend on the meteors to go up to a high level treating Draco Meteor as a staircase.
Ash: "Now, Pikachu, full speed Iron Tail. Let's end this." Pikachu nods with agreement and shot off like a rocket from the very top of Draco meteor with his tail glowing white. It then hit Mega Tyranitar directly on its head making it sink into the ground and eventually fall with a loud thud, obviously fainted.
Poachers: "Oh no."
Ash: "Greninja, I choose you! Knock them out with Water Shuriken and hold them with your tongue after." Ash then took out ropes from his bag and tied them to a tree. "Now to call Officer Jenny." Ash called Officer Jenny and told her his coordinates and also to bring Nurse Joy. Ash then walked toward the cage where Riolu was kept. "Greninja, can you use Cut. Pikachu is kind of exhausted." Greninja nods in agreement and then broke the cage with one swift Cut.
Ash: "Thanks Greninja."
Ash sadly looked towards Riolu who was cowering with fear of what this new trainer might do to him. "Now, now there is no need to be scared, I will not hurt you, I promise. Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny would be coming any minute but until then let me patch you up a little, okay buddy?" He gave it a heartwarming smile in hope that it'd ease the fears of the scared Pokémon. Riolu saw the truthfulness in the eyes of his savior and then he relaxed and allowed Ash to treat him. Ash took out a Max Potion spray from his bag and pointed it towards Riolu.
Ash: "Now, this may hurt a bit but I promise it'll only be temporary kay?" Ash pointed the disinfectant towards Riolu and sprayed it. Riolu winced from the stinging sensation that coursed through his body but it left as quickly as it came and soon enough he felt much better than before. Unfortunately he accidentally bit on Ash's hand which resulted with some blood to drop from his savior's hands. He looked completely mortified thinking about the beating he could get.
Ash: "Ouch!" He removed his hand but withstood the pain when he saw the look of horror in the eyes of Aura Pokémon. He smiled and continued, "It's nothing Riolu, no need to be afraid. You didn't do it intentionally so it's completely fine. Now to feed you some Oran berries so you can regain some strength." He took out some from his jacket and gave it to Riolu who happily took it. After few minutes, Nurse Joy arrived with Officer Jenny at the scene.
Jenny: "I'm Officer Jenny from Viridian City."
Ash: "Officer, here are the criminals and Nurse Joy, this is the Riolu I was talking about."
Joy: "I should start my work." Nurse Joy approached Riolu who looked at her with fearful eyes.
Ash: "There is no need to worry Riolu. Nurse Joy is very kind."
Joy: "I won't hurt you Riolu, I will make you feel better in no time at all." Riolu agreed by nodding his head. After a few minutes, Nurse Joy treated Riolu while Officer Jenny arrested the poachers.
Jenny: "Thanks for the help Mr. Ketchum. These were some of the wanted criminals that I've been tracking for a long time. Where are you going by the way?"
Ash: "To Pallet town, Why?"
Jenny: "I can drop you there, if you want. I could at least do that as a thanks for being such a huge help."
Ash smiled, "No, don't, it's not necessary, Officer Jenny. I will manage on my own."
Jenny: "Ok, as you wish." Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny left the place.
Ash looked towards Riolu, "I think this is our farewell buddy, take good care of yourself from now okay? Pidgeot, come on out." A large avian bird appears who chirped his name. "Come on, Pidgeot, let's continue on our journey to Pallet Town." As Ash sat on Pidgeot and called Pikachu, who jumped on his favorite spot on his shoulder, Ash was surprised to see that Riolu also jumped on Pidgeot sitting in front of Ash.
Ash: "You want to come with us Riolu?"
Riolu: "Yes master."
Ash: "Master? Wait, you... you could talk?
Rioulu: "Yes master, I usually don't speak in front of someone whom I don't trust. I use my aura to speak to those who I deem worthy enough, it's a bit like telepathy actually and no one else hears me. Also I'm calling you master because you saved me and now I want to be with you as you are the only one I will ever trust, so please allow me to serve you master?" Riolu bowed his head and waited for the response he hoped for.
Ash: "Riolu, I would love to have you as one of my new partners but please, just call me Ash, I don't want to be you master. Let me be your friend okay? Also if it's okay, I'd like to give you a nickname."
Riolu nodded, "Its perfect master… I mean Ash, but what's the nickname and why?"
Ash scratched his cheek and chuckled nervously, "Well it's Azure and it's because you seem pure as a Sapphire gem as they are in blue color. Azure also reminds me of someone special whom I have not seen for a long time."
Azure: "Is that person a male or a female?"
Ash: "F… Female... why?"
Azure grinned, "Only asking Ash. I saw the aura coming from your heart when you spoke about that person. She must be really close to you."
Ash blushed but didn't reply, "Okay, let's go Pidgeot."
Next Chapter: Home Sweet Home.
