Chapter 19:
The excitement was still evident from the crowd as they got up from their seats and left anxious to see the action kicking off round two tomorrow morning. Eventually the crowds were all but gone as Ash and Serena finally made their way home and to their favorite place in the world the back balcony of their home overlooking the small lake which always shimmered with the reflection of the city lights from Domino on the surface. it truly was a tranquil scene so soothing and relaxing it was no wonder why this became Ash and Serena's favorite place to go just to be together and talk it's almost like a daily ritual for them. As the two got on the balcony and gazed on at the scene they both loved Ash decided to share something with Serena that he had been thinking about and quiet honestly was feeling about for a while; "Hey Serena!?"
Hearing her name caused the honey blonde performer to take her gaze off of the scene in front of them and focus souly on the love of her life the raven haired trainer standing beside her as she finally answered him; "Yes Ash!?" It took Ash a few seconds for Ash to answer her but the raven haired trainer finally said what was on his mind; "I've been thinking with all of that stuff that happened to us; we never got that vacation we promised one another!" Serena knew what Ash had said was true but she didn't really think it was a big deal and was okay a feeling she quickly relayed to Ash. However Ash didn't see it that way; "No it's not Serena a promise is a promise so as soon as this tournament is over; we'll finally take our vacation and we'll go anywhere you want!"
It was a statement that brought a smile to her face she loved the idea and she told Ash as such However. That wasn't the only thing running through her mind though and Serena realized that for once their roles had been switched throughout their marriage Serena was the one looking ahead while Ash tended to focus on the near term. However tonight it was Serena who reminded Ash that they still had the tournament to focus on and right now it would be best for them to get some sleep. It was a suggestion that brought a smile to both their faces as they took each other's hands and walked inside with their fingers intertwined.
The Following Morning:
Once again excitement and anticipation filled the air in Domino and echoed twice as loud inside Domino's coliseum where the crowd cheered on the competitors who have made it to round two and before too long Kali took the stage once again to get the tournament underway; "Good morning everyone and welcome to round two of the Domino Grand Tournament!" "Today's battles will be 3 pokemon per trainer for a team total of six pokemon and just like round one the battle isn't over until all the pokemon for one side are unable to continue!" "So without further ado let's see which teams will be battling first..."
Words that caused the crowd to go into an uproar as the challenge board appeared on the monitor behind Kali and began the selection process. After a few tense moments the pictures of the next competitors appeared and to the audience it was an awesome matchup the first battle of round two would be none other than Ash and Serena going up against Bonnie and Seto. Who shared a quick glance with one another and wasted no time in getting the battle underway as they called out their first Pokemon. Bonnie's was her Tyrantrum that stomped May and Drew just yesterday while Seto called out his Gallade. While Ash's choice was an obvious one as he called on Pikachu while Serena decided to mix things up with a surprise of her own her newest Pokemon from Alola Torracat. Seeing Torracat truly was a surprise but it confused Gladion; who whispered; "when did Serena get that..." and it was then his sister who was sitting beside him finally spoke up; "I may or may not have helped her." It was a statement that forced Gladion to turn to Lillie he didn't say anything he just stared at her until Lillie spoke up again; "What my full time job is as a professor what'd you expect!?"
Meanwhile On the Battlefield:
The battle began almost immediately and It was Serena who made the first move as she instructed her Torracat to attack Gallade with Fire fang but as Torracat charged towards Gallade Bonnie instructed to get between them as he dropped his tale between them but little did Bonnie know that Ash and Serena planned for this as Serena quickly turns to Ash and signals him. Before Bonnie could process what was going on Ash called out to Pikachu to use Iron Tale on Tyrantrum. It was only then Bonnie realized Pikachu was missing and was in fact flying in towards Tyrant rum's head with an Iron Tale but if that wasn't astonishing enough for Bonnie what Serena did next defintly was as she commanded Torracat to withdrawal and head towards Tyrantrum's head by running up his tale with a flame charge. Eventually after several seconds Torracat and Pikachu's attacks end up hitting Tyrantrum's heads in unison dealing big damage to Tyrantrum! Much to Bonnie's dismay it was a scene that angered Seto as he sent Gallade in against Pikachu but with Tyrantrum disoriented Ash and Serena are able to focus exclusively on Gallade and have Torracat and Pikachu team up to take him down and once Torracat went down Tyrantrum's injuries proved too great as well and drops to his knee before going hard to the floor.
Much to Bonnie and Seto's distress as Kali makes the call; "and Tyrantrum and Gallade are no longer able to battle Pikachu and Torracat are the victors!" Much to Ash and Serena's excitement as Ash and Serena celebrated Bonnie and Seto were in awe of their opponents power and strength and quickly decided that now was the time to call upon their aces a decision that brought Ash and Serena's celebration to an end and causes them to tense up as Bonnie turned to the Green blob sticking his head out of her purse and asks him; "Squishy if you'd please!?" At Bonnie's instruction Squishy jumped from the bag and crawled to the front calling upon enough cells to transform into his ten percent form. While Seto pulled out a Pokeball and threw it revealing A Darkrai. This was a sight that finally brought unease to Ash and Serena's faces as Bonnie commanded Squishy to use dragon pulse on Pikachu while Seto commanded Darkrai to attack Torracat with night slash and before Pikachu and Torracat had an opportunity to escape the attacks blasted them sending Torracat and Pikachu flying back to their trainers on their backs. Much to Ash and Serena's dismay as Kali made the call; "And both Pikachu and Torracat are unable to battle; so the winners are Darkrai and Zygarde!" As Bonnie and Seto began to celebrate Serena turned to Ash and asked him what they were going to do now!?" a question Ash answered with a look of confidence as he tells his wife; "They kicked up a notch so now we will too!" Serena had a feeling she knew where Ash was going with this but for confirmation Serena asks him; "do you mean!?" A question Ash answered with a nod before muttering out; "Let's show them the power of Fire-Force!" A revelation Serena responded to with a nod as Ash turned to Bonnie to congratulate them as Serena tells their friend and former traveling companion that it was; "their turn to kick this up a notch!" Sending a shiver down Bonnie and Seto's spine as Serena called out Braixen before Attentions focused on Ash as the skies darkened over the arena; "and now it's my turn to call on an old friend; come down the Dimensional God Of The Skies; Osiris!" At Ash's command Lightning starts filling the sky as Osiris' blue body begins coming down through the cloud cover until finally the dimensional god of the skies true form was revealed striking fear into Bonnie and Seto. As Serena calls for Braixen and Osiris to "combine their fire power!" As soon as the command was given Braixen jumped onto Osiris tail and ran up his back to his head and took position on Osiris head dead center above the eyes. This caused the stadium to gaze on in awe after all
This is the first time in a long time Ash and Serena have used this combo-attack while Bonnie and Seto tried to encourage their Pokemon and instructed them not to get discouraged. The time has finally come as Ash and Serena instructed Braixen and Osiris to attack Zygarde and Darkrai with Fire-Force Strike; and at ash and Serena's command Osiris and Braixen use fire force strike on Zygarde and Darkrai causing smoke to build and the ground to quake as it does so. It was a scene that struck fear and dismay into Bonnie and Seto as they call out to their Pokemon in worry but at the same time marveling in awe of "God's Power!"
After several tense moments the smoke cleared and revealed Seto's Darkrai had been defeated but Squishy was still defiantly standing but barely. As Kali made the call; "and Seto's Darkrai is unable to battle; Seto has only one pokemon remaining!" It was a discouraging sight for Seto however Bonnie began to reassure her Protégé' that it was "okay after all they were up against a god after all." As Seto brought out his final Pokemon Florges! As the battle resumed Serena decided to divide and conquer before Ash knew it Serena began speaking to him; "Ash me and Braixen will handle Florges, you and Osiris handle Squishy!" It was a plan Ash quickly agreed to as Serena ordered Braixen to attack Florges with fire blast and at her Trainers orders Braixen jumps from her position on Osiris head in the skies above and launces a fire blast using the speed from her descent to increase its potency. Seto knew he had to work fast as he instructed Florges to use double team to confuse Braixen but Ash decided to use Osiris' thunder force to wipe the field clean and give Braixen a "clean shot!" all but Guaranteeing Florges defat which was confirmed as the smoke cleared and Kali's voice echoed out; "And Florges is unable to battle all of Seto's pokemon have been beaten however, Bonnie still has two pokemon left so this battle will now be Ash & Serena vs. Bonnie so Bonnie if you'd please bring out your last pokemon so this will remain a 2v2 please..."
It was a request Bonnie immediately obliged with as she brought out her last Pokemon Noivern and in the spirit of Ash and Serena Bonnie looked to Squishy and instructed him to go to; "Fifty percent!" and within Seconds the infamous squeal of Zygarde rings out as more cells quickly arrive and boost Squishy to his 50% form in a bright green flash. It was a sight that forced Ash and Serena to step back in wonder after all now Zygarde is at 50% and they had no idea if the damage Squishy took earlier was even a factor anymore!? It was a question Ash and Serena was going to have to have answered the hard way as Serena ordered Braixen to go back and combine with Osiris again! As Braixen began to run up Osiris back Bonnie knew she had to stop her if she didn't she'd loose simple as that so Bonnie quickly sent in Noivern to stop Braixen with "Boom burst!" Noivern tries his best to stop Braixen from making it to Osiris' head by attacking her with Boom Burst but Noivern ends up missing Braixen! Much to Bonnie's dismay and with everything in Place Ash and Serena call out to Osiris and Braixen to use Fire Force Strike on Zygarde and Noivern at full strength causing the stadium to shake and smoke to build as Bonnie called out to her Pokemon in disbelief and concern.
As the stadium goes into stunned silence the smoke begins to clear reveling the results of the battle and much to Bonnies dismay she saw both Noivern and Squishy who had returned back to his original form lying on the ground Bonnie didn't even wait as she ran to her Pokemon quickly recalling Noivern and picking Squishy up in her arms and raising him above her head and into the sunlight above allowing Squishy to begin recovering. While Bonnie was doing this Seto ran to his teacher's side as Kali made the official call; "And it's over Osiris and Braixen win and, that means Ash & Serena will move on to the finals!" It was news that caused Ash and Serena to celebrate and share a hug before walking over to Bonnie to check on their friends and thank them for a great battle. Several minutes passed before they found themselves interrupted by Kali; "May I have your attention please; the second round of Domino's Grand Tournament Semi Finals is about to begin, Dawn & Kenny from Sinnoh will now battle Lillie and Gladion Aether From Alola the winner will advance to face Ash and Serena Ketchum in the finals."
Once the field had been cleared Lillie and her brother Gladion along with Dawn and Kenny took their positions as Kali began the match; " This battle will have the same rules as the first battle; 3 pokemon per trainer for a team total of six pokemon and just like round one the battle isn't over until all the pokemon for one side are unable to continue!" They were terms the trainers agreed to as they called out their first Pokemon. Lillie brought out her Gardevoir while her brother Gladion brought out his Lycanroc. While Dawn brought out her Quilava and Kenny went with his Alakzam. Dawn decided to have Quilava attack fist by launching a flamethrower at Lycanroc who quickly countered with Stone edge but Kenny wasn't about to let that happen as he ordered his Alakzam to use Psychic on Lycanroc to stop him but Lillie figured two could play at that game as she ordered her Gardevoir to counter Alakzam with Psychic to protect her brothers Lycanroc all these attacks resorted in smoke to build. Eventually the smoke cleared and revealed Dawn's Quilava somehow was attacked and defeated but s Dawn and Kenny focused on that they failed to notice Lycanroc had gone missing and before they knew it Lycanroc was right behind Alakzam and used it's stone edge at point blank range sending Alakzam flying and knocking him out as well. Much to Dawn and Kenny's belief as Kali made the call; "Quilava and Alakzam Is Unable To Battle As Well So The Winners Are Gardevoir & Lycanroc!"
As the battle unfolded Ash and Serena were paying very close attention in awe of the stealth strategy that Gladion and Lillie came up with as they began to wonder if they were going to see the one thing they were hoping to during this fight. Back on the battlefield Dawn and Kenny made their next selections Dawn brought out her Mamoswine and Kenny called out his Breloom. Dawn quickly ordered Mamoswine to charge in while Kenny had Breloom give them cover with leaf storm which was a surprise to Lilie as Leaf storm isn't an attack Breloom could normally learn but now wasn't the time to marvel about that because Mamoswine had just charged into Lycanroc sending him flying but before Lillie could have Gardevoir do something to stop it Lycanroc went flying into Gardevoir as they both were sent flying into the wall forcing an instant knock out. It was a sight that forced Kali to call the match;
"And Lycanroc and Gardevoir are now both unable to battle so the winners are; Mamoswine and Breloom!" Much to Lillie and Gladion's dismay and Dawn and Kenny's excitement so much so Kenny called out to their opponents and asked a question both him and Dawn were sure to regret; "So what's next!?"
A question Lillie answered with a Pokeball in her hand and proclaimed; "this little one" as she threw it releasing Solgaleo the Alolan Sun Legendary while Gladion released his own Chimera Pokemon Sacred Beast Silvuddy!" It was a scene that caused Dawn to turn to Kenny somewhat annoyed and asked him; "You just had to ask didn't you Kenny!?" Dawn then turned to face their opponents both knew they were in trouble after all they were now facing down the Alolan Sun Legendary along with The Chimera Ash and Serena helped supercharge! They knew that if Gladion and Silvuddy used the Divine Memory Ash had Dragonus forge they would have no hope of winning." So the two Sinnoh Coordinators decided they needed to defeat Silvuddy before they had a chance to use it. Dawn went first sending Mamoswine in against Solgaleo in hopes of using its size and raw power to defeat the sun legendary a plan that was squashed when Lillie and Solgaleo used Sunshine smasher to stop Mamoswine Dead in his tracks. A sight that brought a smile to Gladion's face as he addressed Silvuddy; " We can't let Lillie and Solgaleo have all the fun silvuddy can we!?" as Gladion reached into his pocket to retrieve a memory and exclaimed; "So take this sacred beast Silvuddy receive the fire memory and blaze up as a fire beast!" Gladion then tossed the Fire Memory into the Drive System changing Silvuddy into a fire type!?" Seeing Fire type Silvuddy panicked Kenny as Gladion ordered Silvuddy To attack Breloom with multi attack and before Kenny manages to call an attack silvuddy attacks Breloom causing even more smoke to build!" Much to the excitement of the crowd and interest of Ash and Serena. As Dawn and Kenny called out to their Pokemon in concern; eventually the Smoke cleared and revealed Breloom and Mamoswine had been defeated! After Kali made the call Dawn and Kenny recalled their Pokemon and brought out their final picks Kenny putting everything on his trusty Empolion while Dawn placed her hopes in Piplup as Kali called for the battle to resume!
As the battle commenced Dawn and Kenny decided to use their water types to go after Silvuddy an obvious strategy and Lillie began to grow concerned as she told herself; "Oh no Gladion still has the fire memory inserted; if those attacks hit silvuddy he'll be at a major disadvantage!" So without giving it a thought Lillie ordered Solgaleo to defend and when the Sun legendary jumped in and took the attacks Dawn and Kenny decided to change their tactics those attacks seemed to have damaged Solgaleo greatly so the Sinnoh coordinators decided to just continue to go after Solgaleo with countless attacks which Solgaleo took but it was a sight that infuriated Gladion; he had; had enough and decided to finally state what was on his mind; " You disgust me going after Solgaleo my sisters precious partner; time after time when we're right here, we're going to repay the debt to you Lillie... Solgaleo...!" After finishing his statement he reached into his pocket and pulled out another memory this one gold colored! This sight struck fear into Dawn and Kenny as they wondered if that indeed was what they thought it was while Ash and Serena rise out of their seats in interest wanting to get a closer look at what was going to happen! Gladion then declared; "Sacred Beast Silvuddy Take The Divine Memory And Rise To The Rank Of A Deity And Unleash God's Wrath On Those That Dare Oppose You!" Gladion then tosses the Divine Memory into Silvuddy's Drive System Causing Silvuddy to take on Its New Type! This caused Silvuddy to take on a radiant glow! The sight was simply horrifying Kenny and Dawn as Gladion declared; "This is the end Silvuddy Multi Attack!" it was then at Gladion's command silvuddy unleashes his attack on Empolion and Piplup causing the stadium to shake and smoke to build at the divine memories power!" The crowd found themselves being forced back into their seats as they all marveled in awe at the power that was released including Ash and Serena! Then finally after several minutes the smoke begins to clear out revealing the extent of Silvuddy's attack! Piplup and Empolion were lying face down in craters created by the blast with swirls in their eyes signaling their defeat and the results of the Semifinals as kali made the final official call of the Semifinals; "Piplup and Empolion are unable to battle; all of dawn and Kenny's pokemon have been defeated which means Lillie and Gladion Aether from Alola are the victors and, will be moving on to face tournament hosts Ash and Serena in tomorrow's final battle!"
After the call was made the crowd erupted in excitement as Lillie and Gladion celebrated and Dawn and Kenny went and retrieved their Pokemon still in disbelief over what had just happened. While up in the stands Ash and Serena seemed pleased that Silvuddy and Gladion had managed to successfully use and master the Divine Memory! Which would definitely make tomorrows battle harder but also more interesting and fun!
