Hi, FanFiction Members! I'm HollowKU ready for the next chapter of The Parallel Challenger! I must admit that this chapter was really hard to write, since I had a lot of ideas on how it should develop to the final confrontation of Ash and Red, and this is the LONGEST chapter I have ever written on FanFiction. Anyway, since this chapter contains reference to years and ages from the characters, I'll include here the ages of the protagonists.
Ash- 16 years old
Red- 17 years old
Misty- 17 years old
May- 14 years old
Dawn- 13 years old
Brock- 22 years old
Gary- 17 years old
Max- ALMOST 10 years old
Tracey- 18 years old
Prof. Oak- WHO KNOWS?! XD
Well now...to the fic! Remember to read and review!
Pokémon: The Parallel Challenger
Chapter 6: Resolve
"What makes me...unique?"
Those words were hitting Ash's mind constantly. It was the first time he ever asked himself this. In other times, he would have no problem in answering this question, but after meeting him, he really was having a hard time trying to answer.
At first he thought it was their difference in power. It was obvious, after that performance, how strong and well-skilled Red's Pokémon team was. He overpowered him completely, and it was sure that if he even dared to challenge him again, he would have to be extremely careful when dealing with him. He then dropped the idea. It wouldn't make sense that Red was trying to intimidate him. He obviously was trying to help... in his own way.
He then started to think about their personality. Red's silent way opposite to his usual cheerful attitude could make sense in how they were completely different from each other. However, minutes later he also dropped this idea. He felt that Red's true meaning behind those words were even more personal, as if he was saying to him to search in the deeps of himself.
As he was trying to find the answer, another thought started to hit his mind, that made him felt really...miserable...
"I can't believe you chose that stupid title instead of your bonds with us!"
"Damn it, damn it, damn it!" Ash smashed the ground with his hands repeatedly, saying only those two words.
It was never his intention to hurt May. It was never his intention to say what he said.
...But he did it anyway.
"Of course I wouldn't..." Ash repeated to himself.
He then started to remember all of his adventures...starting in his first day in Kanto...
He overslept the day he was supposed to receive his first Pokémon. Still in pajamas, he ran to Prof. Oak's lab, only to find his rival, Gary Oak, who was just leaving after receiving his first Pokémon and the last one from Prof. Oak. Ash freaked out when he discovered that there was no Pokémon left for him...except one. Pikachu, the Electric Mouse Pokémon was his only option. He went to his journey with the disobedient Pokémon. At first, it drove him crazy with its attitude, but then he was able to prove its worth to his Pokémon after protecting it from a group of enraged Spearow. After that they became inseparable and became best friends.
During his journeys, he met numerous companions and amazing friends that helped him to develop as a Pokémon Trainer.
Misty, the noisy but caring red headed tomboy, a Water-type Pokémon Trainer and Leader of the Cerulean City Gym. He met her at a waterfall outside of Pallet Town. She rescued him unintentionally when she was fishing near the waterfall. He then borrowed her bicycle since he was escaping from the Spearow. After that incident, Misty joined him in his journey, travelling with him all the region of Kanto, the Orange Islands and the region of Johto. Close friends from the beginning that constantly argued during their travel. One of his closest friends.
Brock, the squinted-eyes ex-Gym Leader of Pewter City. His best friend and the one that took care of everyone, the responsible of the group. He met him at his Gym in Pewter, challenging him for the Boulder Badge. After losing once to him and won by a trick in his second battle, Brock was impressed by his confidence and gave him the badge, and then joined him on his journey. Always by his side, Brock accompanied him through the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh regions and was the official chef of the group.
Tracey, the Pokémon watcher. He joined him during his journey through the Orange Islands. Unlike normal trainers, he liked to study the true nature of Pokémon and constantly draw the Pokémon he liked to his personal research. From the beginning he showed his respect to Prof. Oak's research and wanted to meet him personally. Even though he was a full trainer, his Pokémon were really helpful in finding people and Pokémon and hearing faint sounds.
Gary, his first rival. Even since they were kids, they were constantly arguing and tried to prove who was the very best. Always arrogant and really confident, he was always mocking him and making him look like a poor trainer. They rivalry ended at their final battle at the Silver Conference in Johto, with him defeating Gary. After that they became friends, and Gary resigned from being a Pokémon trainer and started to follow his gramps' path. Even after that, Gary was the one that pushed him to continue improving himself, as he was the one who made him decide to travel through Johto and he also made him decide go to Sinnoh after his triumph at the Battle Frontier.
Max, his youngest friend and the 'brain' of the group. He first met him at the Petalburg City Gym posing as the Gym Leader to Ash. Even though at first Max mocked him due to his loss at the Silver Conference, he eventually started to respect him and became his role model as a trainer. Even though he didn't have a Pokémon, since he was only seven years old, he knew a lot from Pokémon, including their moves and battle strategies with them, reason by why he was the one who took care of the Pokémon Navigator AKA Pokénav.
Dawn, the blue-haired coordinator. Ash first met Dawn at the Sinnoh region, when his Pikachu was heavily injured after a battle against Team Rocket. He was separated from Pikachu after the battle, and it was Dawn who found Pikachu and returned it to him. After that they started travelling along with Brock across the Sinnoh region, succeeding in Gym battles and Contest performances. Although she was constantly worried about her hair, like no one of his previous companions, she was really kind and always cheered him up during his battles.
Iris, the aspiring Dragon Master and one of his Unova companions. He first met her during his way to his first gym battle. Confusing her with a Pokémon, he threw a Pokéball at her, hoping to 'capture' her, obviously failing at it. After that, she followed him while always calling him a little kid due to his rush decisions and his ignorance in some basic matters to her. Even with that, she still supported him in his battles and was really helpful when it came to heal Pokémon. As time passed he managed to gain her respect and became a really nice friend.
Cilan, the Pokémon Connoisseur and one of the Gym Leaders of Striaton City. He met him at Striaton City, where he was going to challenge the Gym Leader. Cilan guided him to the gym, where it was also a restaurant. After that, he revealed himself as one of the Gym Leaders and accepted his challenge. He challenged Cilan and his brothers and won, earning the badge. Impressed by his abilities as a trainer, Cilan decided to join him on his journey in order to learn the secrets in how to become the best Pokémon Connoisseur. He was the chef of the group after Brock left, and always looked for logical answers, opposite of Iris' superstitions.
Finally...May. The brunette coordinator. He first met her at the Hoenn region, after he found his ill Pikachu and fought Team Rocket afterwards. When he first met her, she was clumsy and didn't like Pokémon at all: she just picked her Torchic since she found it the cutest of the starter trio. Since she wasn't interested in Pokémon, she was overpowered in her first battles. He then started to teach her everything he knew about Pokémon battling, including the basic of attacks and strategies. She eventually turned down the Gym challenges and decided to become a coordinator. Even after this, he still helped her in improving his performances, feeling proud when she won a contest and guilty when she lost one, blaming himself for not train with her enough. Eventually she became better and managed to defeat her eternal rival...Drew...in the Kanto Grand Festival. She then left to Johto since their rivals went there to compete in the local contests.
Ash couldn't help but smile after remembering all the adventures he had with his friends. They were always by his side no matter what happened, and watched him evolve as a Pokémon Trainer. He wouldn't change them for anything.
He then recalled what he told to May...
"I'm wondering what would have happened if I won the Pokémon League in the Indigo Plateau, just like Red. What would have happened?"
Easy, he thought. He would have managed to become a powerful trainer, and everyone would recognize him as one of the most powerful trainers they have ever seen. He could have been famous, for winning a League at the age of 10. He could have got everything...
...
...
...Except for true bonds...
It was clear to him that he already had friends like Misty and Brock, but maybe the ego would have gone too far at that time, maybe doing something he would have regret. After all, he was really immature at that age. He still is. If it wasn't for his friends, he wouldn't have gone that far as a trainer...
Then something hit his mind. It was all clear now.
"Thank you, Red. Now I see what makes me different from you."
He then smiled and got up while looking at the sight of his hometown, while his loyal partner climbed up to his shoulder, giving its usual smile. Ash replied the smile and returned to Pallet Town.
"Ok then. But first...I need to make a call."
Meanwhile, in Pallet Town...
"...and HE DIDN'T EVEN ANSWER!"
At the Ketchum residence, a young brunette was crying really hard in the arms of a redhead, who along a blunette and the woman in charge of the house were trying to cheer her up at the guest room where the brunette was staying. The boys were waiting downstairs since the girls insisted they would take care since they could understand her better than they do.
"Don't worry May. I'm pretty sure he didn't mean it." Dawn replied to her crying friend.
"I really know my son, May. He may be kind of blind when it comes to his career as a Pokémon Trainer, but he's no bad person." Ms. Ketchum also told to the coordinator. "I agree with Dawn. I'm pretty sure he didn't mean it."
"But then why he didn't answer?" May asked, a little more calmed, but still crying. "I gave him the chance to take back what he said, and HE DIDN'T!"
"Maybe you're taking things too personal, May." Misty said calmly to her friend. "Look into Ash's point of view. He recently won the Pokémon League, a thing he dreamed about for years, and days later after that he is overpowered in battle not by anybody, but practically another version of himself, who is the Champion from where he is from and has been it from a very long time!"
"..." May just looked at the redhead, without saying anything.
"It was already hard to him when Red defeated him! Imagine how he felt when his joy of winning the League after years of trying was destroyed after Red told him he already achieved that at the start of his journey!"
"..." May just looked at the floor, thinking of what just Misty said to her.
"...You really love him, don't you?" Misty asked to her with a smile in her face.
"What...?"
"It is pretty obvious, May. Even Red, who barely knows you, noticed that." Dawn replied to her, also with a smile in her face.
"..." May blushed at the comment, and then looked at the girls and woman. "Y-yes, I do...wait a minute! I thought you two-"
"Don't worry. I don't see him that way, although many people have said otherwise." Dawn interrupted the brunette, but still answering the question. "I look to him more like the older brother I'll never have."
"I have to kind of agree with you though, May." Misty replied. "I loved him, but after we went separate ways after our travelling in Johto, my feelings started to fade away. I thought I had a chance when I met with you in Hoenn, but then I saw that I had competition and that only increased when you returned from Hoenn to travel with him again for the Battle Frontier. I still had to take care of my gym, so I couldn't have the chance to actually travel with him again."
"I'm sorry, Misty...I didn't know that you..."
"It's ok. I have already got over it. In fact, during all that time without Ash, there was someone else who was always by my side..." Misty said with a little blush.
"Is it...?"
"It's a secret!" Misty replied with a wink.
"Well, with that being said, do you feel better now, May?" Ms. Ketchum asked the young coordinator.
"Well, I certainly do. I'm still a little mad at him for not answering properly, but now I understand why he reacted like that. I'll give him time to explain himself." May replied while standing up.
"I'm sure he will..."
A deep but familiar voice could be heard from the door, which was now open, revealing a young trainer, with a red cap with a red with white jacket and a black shirt, with blue jeans.
"Red..."
"Don't worry about him. I already talk to him after you left. I'm pretty sure he'll notice what he's doing wrong." Red said as he turned back to the stairs.
"Wait!" May stopped her crush's counterpart. "Was he...sad?"
"...That's a question that the other me should answer, not me." Red replied as he headed to stairs.
"Where are you going?" May asked.
"Prof. Oak's Lab." Red replied still going down to the first floor. "If I'm right about the other me, I need to heal my Pokémon now. They had a rough training in the morning."
After that, Red was out of sight, and then the entrance door could be heard opening and closing. Just after Red left, Gary, Brock and Max went upstairs to meet with the girls.
"What happened? He just got here and he suddenly left!" Brock said.
"I...don't know." May replied.
"Red told us that he talked to Ash just after May. It seems that he knows that Ash will recover himself and return, but he said something about healing his Pokémon at Prof. Oak's lab if he was right..." Dawn said.
"Why would he do that? It's not like he's going to battle soon right?" Max asked.
"...No way!" Gary yelled, making everyone gasp.
"What's the matter, Gary? You don't have to yell!" Misty replied angry to the young Pokémon researcher.
"I have to! I know why Red's going to heal his Pokémon! He thinks that Ash will challenge him again!"
"WHAT?" Everyone else in the room said.
"But there's no way..." Misty said.
"After what we saw yesterday..." It was Dawn's turn to talk.
"Even Ash wouldn't be so reckless..." Max said.
"I don't know...maybe he's right." May said, as everyone in the room looked at her.
"What are you talking about? If Ash fights Red again, it could end horribly!" Misty said to the brunette.
"I know what you're saying, but remember what Red said during the battle. He knew Ash wasn't giving his best during the battle, and that's why he stopped the battle after defeating two of his Pokémon. There must be a reason why he wants to battle Ash at his full potential!"
"But that's crazy!" Max replied to his sister. "Red is the CHAMPION! Ash hasn't even defeated a single Elite Four! How can he defeat him?"
"Why is everyone like this?!" May asked a little bothered. "I may be worried of his battle, I may be angry at Ash for what happened a while ago, but I still trust him! We all supported Ash to the end in EVERY single occasion. Even against the Elites!" No one replied.
"I know that you're scared of what could happen, but that doesn't mean that Ash is going to lose! Red has faith in him, so we need to have faith in him as well. Ash needs us more than ever!" May said to the group.
"...May's right. I'm sorry. After what I saw yesterday, I was really afraid of Red..." Max said.
"Me too. He's the most powerful trainer I have ever seen, so I only keep quiet and scared and did nothing to help Ash..." Gary replied.
"Well, now's not the time to worry about it, right?" May said to them. "If Red's right, then Ash must be on his way to Prof. Oak's lab!"
"Ok then, let's go!"
At Prof. Oak's Lab...
"Professor! Are you here?" Ash was knocking the door really hard.
"Stop it, please! The Professor's working!" The voice of a young man could be heard in the other side of the door.
"Tracey, it's me Ash! Please open the door!"
"Ash?!" Tracey gasped. "Ok, don't worry, I'll open the door!"
"Thanks!" Ash said as he entered to the lab. "Where's the professor?"
"It's in his office. Come with me!" Tracey said as he headed upstairs with Ash.
After arriving, they found Prof. Oak sleeping in his desk, with tons of papers near him, and an almost finished cup of coffee. They could see that he was really tired.
"Professor, I knew this would happen!" Tracey went to where the Prof. was and woke him up. "Even if this is important, you need to get a rest!"
"Maybe you're right...but I am 'this' close to complete my research!" Prof. Oak said while using his fingers as a reference when he said 'this'. He then noticed Ash was standing there too. "A-Ash! It's good to see you! Red's already waiting-"
"Yes, I know. Professor, I need a favor from you." Ash replied to .
"Of course! Anything for you, Ash. So, what can I do for you?"
After a few minutes...
"I wonder if this is a good idea..." Max asked.
"We're almost there, Max. We need to support Ash more than ever, so please don't complain about it!" His sister replied to him.
"Ok..."
"Look, here we are!" May said while running to the door of Prof. Oak's Lab. "Professor! Are you here-"
"Shhh!" The door suddenly opened, revealing the Pokémon watcher who was trying to make everyone keep in silence. "Go to the back door..." he whispered as he closed the door.
The group went to the back entrance of the lab like Tracey told them, and found Prof. Oak's garden transformed into a battle arena. It didn't matter anyway, since Red's Charizard's Blast Burn burned and destroyed half of Prof. Oak's garden. On one side of the field, they could see Red standing firmly while grabbing his cap, as he usually did.
Suddenly, a door could be heard opening, revealing Tracey Sketchit, Prof. Oak and...
"Ash..." May said while looking to her crush as he walked to his side of the battlefield with his Pikachu. Prof. Oak and Tracey joined the group.
"It seems that you have finally come to your senses..." Even by the distance, Red voice could be heard.
"I truly have. I really need to thank you for that, Red..." Ash replied with his usual smile. "I have realized what truly matters, what is the most important to me..." Ash then looked at his friends.
"Everyone...my friends..."
"...!" Everyone except Red and Ash were shocked by Ash's statement.
"I have realized that when I first started my journey, I wasn't as sharp as you, Red. I really made foolish mistakes, and I don't like to admit it...but I really sucked during my first battles. I'm really surprised that I have got this far."
"..." Red remained in silence as usual.
"But then, they were always there. Whenever I made a mistake, they were there to make me realize it and helped me to improve. Whenever I was down after a loss, they were there to cheer me up. Whenever I was nervous or not confident, they were always there to give me the strength I needed. They were the only ones that were supporting me after all this time. Even if they followed their own paths, they were always rooting for me, as I did for them. I have realized it now. Without them, the Champion title, or even the Master title would mean nothing to me..."
"RAWRRRRRR!" A powerful roar could be heard from the distance, as a dragon-like silhouette appeared in the sky, heading to the lab.
"What? Isn't that...?" Misty asked.
"With that being said..." Ash said as he grabbed four Pokéballs and threw them to the sky, as they opened and released four flashes of lights. "This is my Pokémon team for this battle."
The four lights revealed four powerful Pokémon. One was a really big Pokémon that started to yawn like if it was tired. Other was a green lizard Pokémon, which grabbed its trademark stick and put it on its mouth while crossing its arms. The other was a brown with white ape, which head was covered in fire. Last, the other Pokémon was a crocodile-like dark red colored Pokémon, with black parts across all over its body. Finally, the dragon-like Pokémon from before arrived to the scene, revealed to be an orange dragon with a yellow belly, and its tail was emanating a big flame. Pikachu jumped from Ash's shoulder to join the five Pokémon.
"Ash's Pokémon team...aren't they...?" May asked shocked to see her crush's team.
"This Pokémon gathered here are my strongest Pokémon from each of my journeys." Ash said while pointing at them. "But not only that. Each of them represents my bonds with all the friends I made in each journey. Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova. Not only my friends are going to look, but they'll also help me win this battle, through my Pokémon!"
"..." Red looked at the state of his Pokémon.
"After you defeated me, I was afraid of you. But not anymore. You may be the ultimate trainer from where you come, but now I feel that is the same reason why I must battle you again, but now with all my strength!" Ash said as he pointed at his counterpart. "Kanto Champion Red, I challenge you to a Pokémon battle!"
After that, everything went silent. No one said anything, with Ash still pointing at his counterpart and Red just looking at him in silence. Everyone wondered when the awkward silence would end, since Red still needed to answer...
"..." Red smiled while he grabbed his cap. "I see that I'll finally get to battle the real you. I accept your challenge..."
"Ok then, Red. It's time to show you what I'm TRULY made of!" Ash said with grin on his face.
"Show me your true strength... other me..." Red replied while grabbing a Pokéball.
Meanwhile, with the group...
"Did you just hear what Ash said?" Max asked.
"We...are what he cherish the most..." Dawn said while wiping a few tears.
"He even said that the Champion AND Master title didn't mean nothing if we weren't with him. He sure isn't the same Ashy-boy that I met years ago." Gary said while grinning.
"Well, I guess Ash has just apologized for what he said earlier, right May?" Misty asked to the brunette.
"Yeah..." May replied with a big smile on her face. "Wait a minute...wasn't Krookodile badly hurt?"
"You can thank me and Prof. Oak." Brock said while grabbing a gold pointy mineral from his bag and showed it to the group. "This is called a Max Revive. It can heal Pokémon instantly, both their health and their status. They are extremely rare, but luckily we were able to get one after the battle with Red."
"But isn't it dangerous to let Krookodile battle again? After all he will be battling Red's Pokémon again..." Max asked.
"We tried to stop it from battling, but it had a powerful determination to fight Red again. Not even Ash could stop it, so he decided to use him in this decisive battle." Prof. Oak replied.
Returning to the counterparts...
"Snorlax..." Red's Pokéball opened, revealing the powerful Sleeping Pokémon.
"So Snorlax like the last battle?" Ash said while looking at his own Snorlax. "What do you think, buddy? Want to take him on?"
"Snorlax!" The Pokémon nodded and went to the battle field.
"Then I'll be the referee of this battle like the last time." Brock said as he approached to the battlefield. "This is the battle between Ash and Red, both from Pallet Town! The rules will be the same from last time! Ready both contestants?"
"..." Red just nodded in silence.
"Let's do this!" Ash said while pointing at Red's Snorlax. "Snorlax, use Mega Punch!"
"Snorlax!" Snorlax charged at the other Pokémon with his punch emanating a powerful light aura.
"Dodge it..." Red replied.
Ash's Snorlax arrived to where Red's Snorlax was, and started attacking. Unlucky to him, that Snorlax was too fast to let him land a hit. Ash's Snorlax continued trying to hit the other Snorlax, without luck.
"Come on, Snorlax! Now use Body Slam!"
"Snorlax!" The Pokémon nodded as he charged at full speed to the other one, ready to impact with it.
"Jump..." Red ordered as he saw his Pokémon obeying his order. "Giga Impact..."
The Pokémon, now in the air, was starting to being engulfed by a massive purple aura, and now was heading directly to collide with Ash's Snorlax...
"That's not going to work for a second time!" Ash said. "Snorlax, use Mega Punch on the ground quickly!"
"Snorlax!" The Pokémon obeyed and released a powerful blow on the ground, making lots of rocks head to different directions, as well as a dense sandstorm from the ground.
The rocks that went flying to the air collided with the Giga Impact, and even though they didn't stop Red's Snorlax, they made the attack to reduce its massive power. Also, the smoke from the ground blinded Red's Snorlax a little, making it to crash some meters away from Ash's. After the crash, Red's Snorlax got up with no scratches, but still tired from the powerful attack.
"Good job, buddy!" Ash said. "Snorlax, charge at him and use Ice Punch!"
"Snorlax!" The Pokémon obeyed and went to where the other Snorlax was, hitting him with the Ice Punch.
"...!" Red reacted as he saw his companion being froze by the attack.
"Snorlax, go back and use your most powerful Hyper Beam!"
"Snor...LAAAAX!"
The Sleeping Pokémon released the powerful Normal type attack directly to the other Pokémon, which was still frozen by the Ice Punch. The attack collided with Red's Pokémon, making a big amount of dust cover the attacked Pokémon.
"Did he win?" Max asked to the group
"No." Ash, who had heard what the little kid said, replied to him. "This is just the beginning..."
"..." Red smiled at his counterpart's statement as he grabbed his cap. "Body Slam..."
After that, Red's Snorlax appeared from the smoke, jumping and heading to where Ash's Snorlax was...
"Snorlax, counter it with Mega Punch!"
"Snorlax!" The Pokémon obeyed and jumped to collide with the other Snorlax.
After that, Red's Snorlax weight was too much to handle for Ash's Snorlax, and they both crash into the ground, making a big hole on it.
"Snorlax!" Ash yelled worried for his Pokémon.
After that, a Snorlax jumped to Red's side of the field, revealing to be his Snorlax. Just after that, Ash's Snorlax appeared from the smoke, breathing heavily because of all the damage. It was barely standing...
"Snorlax, come on! You can do this!" Ash cheered on his Pokémon.
"Snor...lax! Snorlax!" The Pokémon stood firmly, ready for round two.
"Ok, let's finish this! Snorlax, give your best Ice Punch!"
The Sleeping Pokémon started his attack to the Pokémon, who was also a little tired from the previous attack.
"Snorlax...counter with Blizzard..." Red ordered his Pokémon.
The powerful Ice attack was released from Red's Snorlax, heading directly to Ash's Snorlax...
"GO!"
With a mighty force, Ash's Snorlax received the Blizzard, and started to freeze slowly, but still heading where Red's Snorlax was. Its belly, and part of his head were already frozen, but that didn't stop him...
"SNOR...LAX!"
The attack landed on its original target, making Red's Snorlax collide with a tree nearby, with scratches all over his body due to the attack. Ash's Snorlax stood in the position it was when it punched Red's, since he was now completely frozen from the Blizzard.
"Snorlax!" Ash yelled for his Pokémon.
"..." Red looked at the condition of his Pokémon, and then returned his gaze to Ash's Pokémon. "Snorlax, finish it with Body Slam..."
The Pokémon got up with difficulties but still obeyed his trainer's orders, jumping high and landing directly at the frozen Pokémon. All except Red were shocked to see that there was still much energy from Red's Pokémon. Well, he wasn't Champion for nothing...
After that, Red's Snorlax jumped back, breathing heavily but still in his battle position, waiting for the outcome. Suddenly, the ice that was holding Ash's Snorlax back started cracking, to finally revealing the Sleeping Pokémon really tired and hurt...
"Snor...lax..." And with that, Ash's Snorlax fell backwards, as swirls formed in his eyes, showing that the battle was over for him...
"Snorlax, no!"
"Ash's Snorlax cannot continue battling! The victory is for Red's Snorlax!" Brock said as he pointed the winner with his arm. After that, Ash grabbed Snorlax's Pokéball and returned him to it.
"Ash lost the first battle..." Dawn said a little sad.
"Well, he still did a lot more damage than his previous battle with Red. Since he's challenging a Champion, that's great news..." Gary remarked.
"Well, let's see how he does in the next round..." Misty said.
"Good job, Snorlax. You deserve a good rest." Ash said while returning his Pokémon to his bag.
"...I must say that you have impressed me." Red said while returning his own Snorlax to his Pokéball. "No one has ever done that much damage to my Snorlax before...well, at least not that fast. I was right after all. You hide more potential than I imagined..."
"Well, you may have won this round, but this is just getting started!" Ash said while pointing at Red with a smile.
"So true..." Red said as he grabbed another Pokéball. "Venusaur..."
The Pokéball suddenly opened, revealing the final evolution of one of the three starters in the Kanto region. The Pokémon roared its name as it looked who would be its opponent.
"Ok, Venusaur is a Grass-type, so... Charizard, I choose you!" Ash said as his Charizard took flight and went to the battlefield.
"RAWRRRR!" The dragon Pokémon roared greatly as he released a powerful Flamethrower to the sky, showing its strength to the grass type Pokémon. However, Venusaur just stayed calm looking at the dragon with a glare.
"Now, this round will be between Red's Venusaur and Ash's Charizard. Are both contestants ready?"
"Sure!/..." Both replied in their own way.
"Ok, then. BEGIN!"
In the next chapter...
Ash: Charizard! Look out!
Red: It's useless. I trained my Venusaur so it can counter ANY Fire-type attack...
May: Without Fire-type attacks, Charizard will be in real trouble!
Ash: Come on, Charizard! I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS!"
Pokémon: The Parallel Challenger
Chapter 7: Unlocked Potential
Ash: No way! Charizard...?
Red: ...!
And that was it! Chapter 6 in its full potential! I hope you liked it. I really worked hard on it, so I want to know what you thought about it by reviewing. I thank Omegaxis1 for his support and help in this chapter. Well, see you in the next chapter!