Chapter 20:
The sun had finally begun to rise over domino this was it the day of the finals of domino's grand tournament but; before that ash and Serena were enjoying a quiet breakfast at home. The young couple asked each other if they were ready for today but avoided talking about the tournament any further than that. rather ash and Serena spent their conversation talking about the vacation they were finally going to take as soon as this was over where they wanted to go and, what they wanted to do, in fact ash and Serena were so distracted by this they didn't even notice the time until Serena looked up at the clock and decided they had better leave now or they would be late.
Later that morning at domino coliseum:
The atmosphere inside the coliseum was filled with anticipation and excitement as kali took center stage and opened the finals; " this is it everyone today marks the finals for dominos grand tournament!" "Our finalists are tournament hosts and world champion's ash & Serena and, Alola's Lillie and Gladion Aether!" "And here they come now!" at Kali's introduction ash and Serena along with Lillie and Gladion enter the arena and take their places! After a few seconds and with everyone in their places kali announced the rules;
"today's battle will be a match with each trainer getting use of four pokemon each however; just like in past rounds the battle isn't over until all pokemon from one team are unable to continue!" they were rules the trainers all acknowledged with a nod of the head as they all called out their first pokemon; Gladion went first bringing out his Lycanroc followed by Serena who called out her Sylveon then Lillie with her Gardevoir and then ash who called on his Lycanroc! With their selections made the trainers wasted no time in getting started Gladion ordered his Gladion to go after Sylveon with rock throw while ash in turn ordered his Lycanroc to go after Gardevoir with rock throw! While the girls countered with Serena instructing Sylveon to jump and use swift while Lillie took a less direct approach ordering Gardevoir to dodge only as the barrage of attacks came in contact with one another causing smoke to build.
The crowd was at the edge of their seat as they watched on in silent anticipation but finally after a few tense moments the smoke began to clear revealing ash's Lycanroc and Lillie's Gardevoir had been defeated and would not be able to continue and observation kali was quick to confirm as ash and Lillie recalled their pokemon and sent out their next picks; Lillie brought out the pokemon that had been her friend since she was a little girl and her mother decided to gift her Clefable while ash called out Pikachu. With these selections made the battle quickly resumed with Lillie commanding Clefable to go after Pikachu with moon blast while, Gladion had Lycanroc go after Sylveon with stone edge. as these attacks came closer to their pokemon ash and Serena turned to one another and exchanged a nod as they commanded their pokemon to "switch" a tactic they had used before in this tournament and now with their new targets acquired Serena has Sylveon attack Clefable with fairy wind while ash had Pikachu attack Lycanroc with iron tale and once again the barrage of attacks collide causing smoke to build again!
With smoke covering the field the trainers called out to their pokemon but received no response so all they could do now was watch and wait. Eventually the smoke did clear out revealing something astonishing in front of them was a three way knockout between; Sylveon, Clefable and Sylveon. It was truly an astonishing and unbelievable sight; even kali was in shock as she made the call; "and it's a three way knock out gladion's Lycanroc... Lillie's Clefable... and Serena's Sylveon are unable to continue!" it was an announcement that stunned the competitors and the audience as Serena, Lillie and, Gladion recalled their pokemon and thanked them before making their next selections; Serena brought out Braixen. While Lillie brought out Solgaleo and Gladion brought out his Umbreon as kali called for the battle to resume. once again the battle began at a feverish pace as ash commanded Pikachu to use quick attack on Umbreon but Lillie had a plan to stop him so she decided to have snowy use powder snow on the field. Seeing what Lillie is trying to do using powder snow to slow Pikachu down and make him slip and fall Serena gets an idea. As she exclaimed to Lillie; "clever Lillie but not clever enough..."
as Serena instructs Braixen to use flamethrower to melt the field that snowy had frozen but Gladion wasn't about to let that happen as he commands Umbreon to use dark pulse on Braixen and before Serena and Braixen knew it gladion's umbreon's dark pulse is able to connect an unimpeded attack right at Braixen stopping her and as a secondary result Pikachu slips and spins out on the ice like a hockey puck. A sight that was making ash and Serena sick to their stomachs as ash ordered Pikachu to use thunderbolt and as Pikachu continues sliding across the field he manages to launch a thunderbolt towards snowy and Umbreon but due to him sliding out of control misses his target much to ash and Serena's dismay. So Serena seeing Pikachu missing his objective Serena commands Braixen to use flamethrower on Umbreon and snowy but as Braixen launches its attack Lillie instructs snowy to protect itself with aura veil. while Gladion assured himself they weren't going down without a fight and ordered Umbreon to attack with dark pulse as Serena instructs Braixen to dodge but as Braixen tries to dodge ash and Serena's attention turns to Pikachu just in time to watch him slid right into the wall." to much concern from both ash and Serena but Serena took her eyes off the battle a big mistake and when her focus returned Serena saw a dark pulse coming right for Braixen to which she tried to counter with a flame thrower thanks to Serena's quick thinking Braixen actually manages to launce one more attack before getting hit by Umbreon's attack causing smoke to build.
the trainers once again called out to their pokemon through the smoke but just like last time received no response and once again after a few tense moments the smoke from the battle begins clearing revealing the battle outcome to everyone; the results were yet another three way knockout between Pikachu, Braixen and, Umbreon. It was a sight no one could believe that was the second three way knockout of the match but even with a strong sense of disbelief ash went out and retrieved Pikachu while Serena and Gladion recalled Braixen and Umbreon. Once ash was back at Serena's side he set Pikachu on the ground between them laying the electric mouse on his side so he can watch the rest of the battle. After which Ash brought out Greninja and quickly became one with him so they could activate ash Greninja. While Serena brought out Pancham; Gladion's next choice was a real suprise to everyone even Lillie it was a riolu. The battle quickly resumed with Serena ordering Pancham to go after snowy with stone edge but as the attack closed in Gladion stepped in to protect his sister and commanded Riolu to use aura force and much to the amazement of everyone Gladion uses his Riolu's newest move to shield snowy from Pancham's stone edge! Still in shock ash and Serena decided to finish this; ash commanded Greninja to use water shurikens while Serena had Pancham use dark pulse. Seeing this Lillie, Gladion and their pokemon braced for impact as Pancham and Greninja's attacks enhanced by ash-Greninja's battle bond ability charge towards Riolu and snowy at unbelievable speed. Gladion and Lillie tried to get their pokemon out of there but before Lillie's words have a chance to register with snowy and Riolu it proves too late and thanks to Pancham and Greninja's attacks speed is able to land a direct hit on Riolu and snowy causing smoke to build.
Which once cleared out revealed snowy and Riolu had been defeated. this was it for Lillie and Gladion they fought hard and now only had one pokemon each left to fight with this was it as the siblings decided to "go for broke" Lillie was first to unveil her last pokemon and it was none other than the Alolan sun legendary Solgaleo while Gladion's final choice was an obvious one; gladion's last pokemon was none other than the sacred beast silvuddy. Seeing silvuddy and Solgaleo was not a surprise to Ash and Serena who expected this but they still had to advise Greninja and Pancham to be careful. a request their pokemon responded to in kind they all knew that silvuddy and Solgaleo are powerful and if they're going to pull this off they need to make the first move. so ash along with Greninja decided to attack with water shurikens but Lillie wasn't about to let that happen as she asks the Alolan sun legendary to give them a taste of his legendary power. A request Solgaleo responded to in kind as he charges after Greninja causing smoke to build and ash to scream out in pain. As Solgaleo took care of ash Greninja Gladion and silvuddy went after Pancham with a multi attack. Serena attempted to have Pancham use stone edge to protect himself but alias it turns out to not be enough to stop them all and with Pancham in real danger Serena heard ash call out; "defend!" before watching Greninja get between silvuddy and Pancham to lessen the blow. However before the honey blonde haired performer is able to process what has happened she hears ash screaming in pain beside her forcing her attention to shift. As Serena's focus turned to ash kali made the call that Greninja and Pancham had been defeated and that Solgaleo and silvuddy were the winners. Serena didn't care about that though she cared about ash who had dropped to his knee and out of fear for his safety Serena wraps her arm around ash and helps him up allowing ash to lean on her for support as she asked if he was okay to which the performer only got a "muttered" reply; "ser... sere... Serena..."
Serena was at a loss for worse she didn't know what to say or how to react as she whispered ash's name. As everyone looked on at the world champions all concerned about ash. Eventually ash started to mutter more to Serena as she held him; "don't... worry... I'm... I'm... fine... Serena..." "This is just... the curse... of... me and Greninja's... battle bond..."
all Serena could do was ask one question; "why!?" to which ash answered in his pain filled mutter; "i promised you Serena... promised that I'd protect you and make you happy... that's why we protected Pancham for you; he's precious to you..." Serena was at a loss she didn't know whether to be happy, sad or angry as she responded to ash's words; "but so are you ash... you're precious to me too ash..." they were words that brought a smile to ash's face as he answered Serena; "i know Serena... i feel the same way... i love you Serena..." they were words from the bottom of ash's heart and they managed to make Serena finally relax and smile again as she whispered back; "ash... i love you too..." a couple more minutes passed and after hearing ash's words ash and Serena share a quick hug before Serena helps ash stand back up so they could finish this. Kali finally called out to her employers to ask if they'd please bring out their final pokemon. It was a question that was answered not with words but the sky as it darkened above them which were a clear sign to Lillie and Gladion just what was coming next. Then before the Alolan siblings knew it their opponents were calling out to them; "Lillie... Gladion... we're honored you've called on such strong opponents!" "And we intended to return the favor in kind..." they were words that caused both Lillie and Gladion to tense up as Serena made her selection first.
Serena raised her arm to the sky and exclaimed; "first is the legendary dimensional guardian of the sun... loyal servant and protector of the queen of the dimensional plain; Phoenix Dragon descend..." at Serena's words unnoticed by everyone the silhouette of Elizabeth her different dimensional counterpart stood beside her as the clouds lit up and Phoenix Dragon came down through the cloud cover and hovered over the field.
Ash was next as he lifted his arm to the sky and exclaimed; "and now for a new face to this world... next is the legendary supreme guardian dragon and trusted partner of the king of the dimensional plain!" "Come down supreme king of the divine dragons; Dragonus!" now much like Serena; at ash's words unnoticed by everyone the silhouette of Saito his different dimensional counterpart stood beside him as the clouds were lit up by red lightning as Dragonus came down through the cloud cover and hovered over the field. the audience was stunned by the sight of Dragonus as he let out a roar after all ash's words were true very few humans have ever seen Dragonus the number could be counted on less than two hands and Lillie and Gladion were two of them they witnessed the power of Dragonus first hand but this time it wasn't power to help them it was power being used against them they had to do something quick and they knew it!
the battle quickly resumed as Lillie turned to Solgaleo and said to him; "alright Solgaleo you and Phoenix dragon are both sun guardians so; charge in and give Phoenix dragon a taste of your power!" it was a confusing move to Serena but without hesitation and at Lillie's orders Solgaleo charges right through Phoenix dragon's attack and straight for Phoenix dragon. As Serena stood their stunned by what Lillie had done Gladion encouraged his sister to "keep up the pressure!" however before silvuddy could do anything ash instructs Dragonus to use imperial dragon rage! Causing red lightning to strike down both silvuddy and Solgaleo and results in a lot of smoke to build. however once the smoke from Dragonus' attack begins to clear revealing silvuddy and Solgaleo are still standing astonishing both ash and Serena as well as Phoneix dragon and Dragonus who actually was impressed by the sight! seeing their pokemon survived a direct attack by Dragonus instilled a lot of confidence in Lillie and Gladion who by all impressions figured their Pokémon's strength was about equal but, Gladion knew he could tip the balance of power as he pulled out the divine memory much to the intrigue of Dragonus and the others. Gladion then calls out to his partner; "sacred beast silvuddy... take the divine memory and rise to the rank of a deity to unleash god's wrath on those that oppose you..." Gladion then tosses the divine memory into silvuddy drive system causing silvuddy to take on its new type divine silvuddy.
A pleasing sight to Dragonus but ash and Serena on the other hand wanted to urge caution as Gladion ordered silvuddy to go after both silvuddy and Dragonus with "multi-attack" causing smoke to build and ash and Serena calling out to their dragons. the whole arena went silent as everyone watched on eventually however the smoke began to clear revealing all four pokemon were still standing reaffirming Lillie and gladion's conviction that their power was equal a sediment not shared by Dragonus who thanks to his telepathy speaks to not just ash and Serena but Lillie and Gladion as he looked down to them; "equal don't make me laugh; although i will praise you for managing to hurt us!" Dragonus then turned to ash and Serena and gave them a signal to which Serena responded by ordering Phoenix dragon to; "charge in with the furry of the sun close combat!" orders Phoenix dragon quickly complied with and as the Alolan siblings attempted to figure out what was going on they found themselves interrupted by ash; "Dragonus let's finish this with your special ability!" to which Dragonus referred to with just one word; "right" Gladion was stunned he couldn't even begin to guess what they were up to he was so focused in fact Lillie had to warn and remind him about Phoenix dragons attack. Thanks to that warning silvuddy escaped but phoenix dragon was the least of their worries because that was just a diversion! unbeknownst to Lillie and Gladion Dragonus had taken to the air to unleash his special power; "as supreme king of the divine dragons; Dragonus's special move allows him to combine all of his siblings power into one attack as Dragonus continued to charge up he took this opportunity to address his opponents silvuddy and Solgaleo; "we're ready you were formidable but now you are up against not just me but all nine of my siblings!?" it was a revelation that horrified and confused Lillie and Gladion as ash and Serena made the attack declaration; "not with Dragonus special skill supreme kings discharge!" at ash and Serena's command the multi colored attack leaves Dragonus' maul and right towards silvuddy and Solgaleo causing the ground to quake and smoke to build along with a huge shockwave. Leaving everyone even ash and Serena in awe and amazement of that much raw power!
