Hi, FanFiction Members! This is HollowKU, ready for the next chapter of The Parallel Challenger! In the last chapter, the rivalry between Charizard and Krookodile came to an end! Krookodile had the upperhand at first, but then Charizard activated his secret Blaze ability powers, that allowed him to win the match! Even though Krookodile lost, he earned Charizard's respect and he recovered his pride from the last battle! Now, with both trainers with only two Pokémon, even same ones, the clash between the Charizard will finally take place!
Also, thanks a lot for the reviews! We've reached to surpass the 200 reviews! Thank you so much for your support =) I'll continue giving my best in writing the chapters that are left until the fic reaches its conclusion. As I did with the previous 100 reviews celebration, I'll dedicate this chapter to the one who got the 200th review: my good friend Trainer Theta.
As usual, thanks to Omegaxis1, lightiningblade49, lucarioADV, Golfer2012, HikariGaijin, JJWalker, christi1212, Pikachulover25, Trainer Theta, Starlighz, nostalgicCyanide, 1 Guest, sceptile rocks, Animestar531, PMD Gates to Fan Fiction (cool name =P) and major. And also thanks for everyone who's reading the fic. Hope you're enjoying it so far.
Now, with no more interruptions, the fic.
Pokémon: The Parallel Challenger
Chapter 13: Inferno
"Alright, let's do this! Charizard, I choose you!"
Those were the words the Pokémon Trainer yelled as he threw the Pokéball, which instantly opened, releasing a burning energy that became the orange-lizard Pokémon. The dragon-like Pokémon opened his menacing-looking eyes, roaring and releasing a powerful Flamethrower to the air, as he always did when summoned to the battlefield. His body slowly started to be engulfed by a red, burning aura that resembled a dragon. The power of Blaze was still active, but since he had time to rest, he was now ready to battle again. This time, to a formidable opponent that could actually surpass his own ability.
"RAAAAAAAAAAWR!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAWR!"
Both Charizard roared to each other, as they exchanged glares. The tension was clearly between them. Both powerful, full-evolved fire Pokémon, ready to engage in battle. Both sides were having their own mixed feelings.
Ash's Charizard, even though he stayed in his Pokéball, saw fragments of the battle. Especially when his current opponent unleashed his secret Blaze ability. He likes challenges, especially if they are tough ones, so he was now looking forward into defeating his counterpart. Red's Charizard was waiting from this since Ash's Charizard unleashed his Blaze for the first time against Venusaur. The power he had managed to unleash was something that amazed him. Their powers were practically the same, but as many Charizard, he was NOT going to admit defeat.
Meanwhile with the others...
"Both Charizard look equally powerful and equally scary..." Dawn got somewhat nervous.
"Ash's Charizard is currently with his Blaze ability activated, so his powers have augmented dramatically, like we saw when he released his Blast Burn against Red's Venusaur." Prof. Oak analyzed the situation. "...But can he compete with Red's Charizard, who can control his own destructive power at will?"
"The probabilities are that Red's Charizard has more condition to win the battle." Max said while taking notes on a notebook. "But I know that if anyone can surpass the probabilities is Ash. I know his Charizard will win."
"Ash..." May thought as she grabbed her half of the Terracota Ribbon, wishing that it would give good luck to Ash, who possessed the other half.
Returning to the battlefield...
"Ok, let's continue! The next battle will be between Red's and Ash's Charizard. Are both trainers and Pokémon ready?" Brock announced as the referee.
"Yeah!/ Of course."
"RAAAAWR!"
"Very well. BEGIN!"
"Charizard, let's do this! Flamethrower!" Ash ordered his Pokémon.
"Counter with Flamethrower..."
Both Charizard unleashed his attacks at the same time, colliding into a big mass of flames on the center of the battlefield. They continued that for a few seconds, and the attack finally exploded, creating a great amount of dust blinded both dragon-like Pokémon.
"Charizard, take flight!" The young trainer gave his next command.
Charizard spread his long wings and took a big boost, making his way to the vast sky while leaving a path of ashes on his way. On the other side, the Kanto Champion looked at his own Charizard and nodded to him, telling him to continue the battle at air. The other Charizard also spread his wings and took flight, following his counterpart at high speed.
"Continuing Flamethrower..."
"Charizard, dodge and wait for my call!"
The Champion's Charizard started with a continued attack of Flamwthrowers, vicious flames that were enhanced by the 66.6% Blaze ability, directed at every direction the counterpart Charizard was heading. However, Ash's dragon-like Pokémon didn't give up like that. Since he was also enhanced by his own inner ability, his speed also increased dramatically, with his speed right now could match Sceptile's. Charizard dodged the attacks with great skills, and tried to create a pattern by looking at his opponent's movements.
"Charizard, go up as far as you can go!" Ash ordered.
"He's got something planned..." Red thought. "Intercept him."
Ash's Charizard changed the course of his direction and headed right up, heading far and far away from the battlefield and from the others watching the battle. Red's Charizard grinned and used his speed to try to overpower his counterpart. Both Fire-types clashed with an amazing speed and in synchrony.
"RAWRRR!"
As they started fading away from the sight of the audience, only two shining objects could be seen, colliding with each other. Both Charizard snickered, realizing that their battle had just started. They headed far and far away, reaching the highest place they could reach without losing too much oxygen.
As they stopped, both glared at each other, seeing that since their trainers weren't there, the battle would not be stopped unless one of them fainted for good, and started slashing themselves with everything they got. Both Charizard were now proving which one was the strongest using only their bare strength.
"RAAAAWR!"
Red's Charizard was the first to strike. He made his hand a tight punch and hit Ash's Charizard right in the face. Even though it was a powerful blow, Ash's recovered his balance almost instantly and slashed Red's on the belly. Then they started following each other, trying to overcome the other one's speed, clashing and clashing like if they were two swords with the same power. Red's Charizard grinned and released a big amount of flames directly to his counterpart. Ash's Charizard dodged and did the same. Red's panted a little as he dodged the powerful blows. Even though the oxygen was running out as they reached higher and higher places, their attacks were still incredibly strong.
Ash's Fire-type used a powerful Steel Wing shot, knocking his opponent for two seconds. Red's Pokémon coughed and roared back. He then proceeded to increase his inner flames, hitting Ash's Pokémon in his wings, making him lost his balance and start falling down the sky. He defended himself using his flames as trace of burning flames, but that didn't work out well.
Both Charizard continue falling down, continuing with the blazing rampage that started to be seen by the trainers.
"Charizard! Look out!"
"Push him down."
Ash's Charizard gave a quick moveset, using his wings to take a powerful boost that made him evade the powerful blow Red's wanted to try out. Ash's grinned, as he boosted once again, colliding with his counterpart, grabbing him tightly and heading to the ground, crashing it really hard.
"Charizard!" Ash looked for signs of consciousness on his Pokémon.
"..." Red had his usual calmed state, watching and analyzing the battle with some excitement.
Two big roars were heard from the crater, as two burning shadows emerged from it. The two Fire-types landed on their respective sides, as they glared at each other, smiling at the same time: they were enjoying the battle to its fullest.
"Your Charizard was able to keep track of mine, even though he is somewhat exhausted from his previous battle." The Kanto Champion remarked. "Outstanding."
"Heh, your Charizard is great, too! Obviously, since he is your Pokémon!" Ash said with his usual cheerful attitude. "However, my Charizard still got a lot of surprises for you!"
"RAWWWWWWR!" Was the response of the cheerful trainer's Pokémon.
"That is good to know, other me, since the real battle starts now." Red claimed as he grabbed the brim of his cap firmly. "Charizard. Full power."
"RAAAAAAAAAAAWR!"
The ground tremble as the Pokémon in Red's side of the 'battlefield' was surrounded by a vicious crimson aura that engulfed him almost completely. Ash and the audience were dumbstruck when they saw the Fire-type Pokémon take flight, illuminating his path as if he was a second sun. The vicious crimson aura surrounding Charizard started taking form of a big, long dragon that moved the sky with his prescence. It wasn't big as one of the legendary Pokémon gods, but his appearance had changed notably. His skin was covered by black scars that were more prominent within his face. His muscles grown a bit, making him looking bigger than usual. But the most fearful feature were hi eyes, that were releasing fire, literally speaking. His glare had become even more penetrating than before, and the crimson color just made him look like a monster now.
"That is...his strongest form..." Ash was speechless as everyone else. The looks from Red's Pokémon were far more powerful than they imagined. Even his own Charizard was somewhat nervous about fighting this new upgraded opponent.
Meanwhile, with the others...
"That is Red's Charizard strongest form...using the 99,9% percent of his power..." Prof. Oak was speechless, muttering these words over and over again. "Red's Pokémon would be excellent to study..."
"He gained another power boost. Can Ash really outstand that?" Misty asked.
"Red's abilities to train his Pokémon are unbelievable...how long it took him to train his Pokémon to be so...awfully powerful?" Gary started sweating. "Talking about his ability...it's getting really hot in here..."
As he said that, he grabbed a Pokéball in his bag and threw it to the sky, opening in the process and revealing his starter Pokémon, Blastoise.
"What are you doing?" Dawn asked confused.
"The flames that Red's Charizard is emanating are more than just mere flames. Better keep prepared for the worst situation." The young scientist replied to the others, as he looked at Ash's counterpart, who nodded and gave him a 'good decision' look.
Returning to the battle...
"Don't you feel anything?" Ash was sweating as well, since his opponent was emanating an extremely burning heat out of his body, and yet Red acted as normal.
"I feel a little. Being in a cold place for a long time helps you adapt to different kind of temperatures. Besides, I already experienced this kind of heat before." The Kanto Champion replied as calm as always. "Charizard, smash him."
"WHA-?!"
In a blink of an eye, Red's Charizard appeared in front of Ash's Pokémon and instantly gave him a big punch in the face, making him collide with the ground.
"RAAAAAWR!"
"Charizard, get out of there!"
Ash's Charizard raised from the floor, only to see the big figure of his opponent, who punched him once again, giving him a powerful uppercut blow, making him fly into the sky. Ash's Pokémon recovered its balance, and roared back. Red's Pokémon grinned, as he took flight, following the other dragon-like Pokémon. Ash's Fire-type used a Blast Burn to hold the other back, but his opponent countered it with a big Flamethrower, that obliterated the Blast Burn and hit Ash's Charizard, making him lose his balance.
"Charizard, no!"
"It's useless."
Red's Charizard vanished after the attack, leaving his opponent confused looking out for him. Luck wasn't on his side, as Red's outpowered Ash's speed, reaching a higher point in the sky, and by the time Ash's Pokémon reacted, he was brutally hit by Red's Charizard's tail, making him fall to the ground and crash it with it really hard.
"Charizard..." Ash was speechless. In a matter of seconds, his Pokémon had been totally pummeled by his counterpart.
"Rawwrr..." Ash's Fire-type never let his pride go down, as he managed to get up, with several wounds and hits all over his body, especially on his face and belly.
"He didn't even use a move. He just used his bare strength..." Ash gritted his teeth. If he didn't come up with something, he would be in real trouble. "Charizard, try another Flamethrower!"
"Receive it."
The big amount of flames clashed with the Fire-type from the Champion's side, not affecting him at all. However, Ash noticed that his counterpart's Pokémon directed the flames into another point of his body: his mouth.
"What the...?"
"Return it."
The blazing inferno Fire-type grinned, as he 'swallowed' the red and vicious flamethrower, just to unleash it back at his opponent with its power doubled and also its size.
"RAWWWWR!" Ash's Charizard tried to hold back the flames, but he was pushed by them, being eventually overthrown by them, causing him a big amount of pain and burns. After the attack ended, Charizard fell to the ground, almost defeated.
"What's wrong? Maybe I was mistaken?" Red thought as he saw the Pokémon of his counterpart standing with everything he got once again, but it was clear that one attack would make it all. "...No. It's not that. His power still needs to be awakened."
"Charizard, I know you can do it!" Ash, seeing that his Pokémon never ceased the flame of his resolve, cheered him to continue fighting until he fainted completely.
"RAAAAAAAWR!" Charizard roared once more, showing that he is still able to battle.
"No matter what Fire-type attack you use, my Charizard will make it his own attack and return it to you with its power doubled." Red tried to make some pressure on Ash to make him make a quick decision. "Since it has become like this..."
"RAAAAAAAAAWR!"
"Flamethrower."
The Kanto Champion's Pokémon's eyes looked firmly at his counterpart as he used the flames within the aura surrounding him, forming a big sphere of crimson energy. At the moment he released it, the sphere divided in several and long flames that were directed right at the Fire-type from Ash's side.
"CHARIZARD! SHOW HIM WHO YOU ARE!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR!"
Neither Ash nor Red expected what happened after that. Ash's Charizard opened his mouth, and received the attack directly. However, it didn't affect him. In fact, he did the same trick his opponent used: swallowing the flames. What was shocking was the part when Charizard refused to let go of them, instead of returning them back at his opponent as a counter.
"Charizard, what are you doing?" Ash couldn't help but sweatdrop a bit.
"...!" Red, on the other hand, was surprised with the reaction the Pokémon had.
*gulp* That was the sound that everyone heard as Charizard finished 'eating' the flames. He closed his eyes, as if he was waiting for something. That something came 5 seconds later, when he opened his eyes abruptly, as his body was surrounded by a big flame that reached the skies. Everyone covered his eyes, as the light emanated was so shiny that it could blind someone for a long period of time.
"RAAAAAAAAAWR!"
The 'magma' tower that surrounded Charizard stopped flowing violently, as the Pokémon within the blazes appeared. His appearance remained somewhat the same, but the area near him was completely burned. His pupils were no longer visible, and his red flames became of a dark crimson color.
"Charizard...what happened?" Ash was shocked to see his Pokémon right now.
"Interesting. A power-up." Red remarked as he analyzed the body of his counterpart's Pokémon. "Using Charizard's power to improve his abilities...A nice comeback, I suppose. I guess it's time for his last test..."
"Charizard, way to go!"
"RAAAAAAWR!"
"Hmm...Charizard." The Kanto Champion looked at his Pokémon. "Use your final attack. The match will be over after this."
"Raaawr..." Red's Pokémon nodded, understanding what his trainer wanted him to do.
The Pokémon spreaded his wings as all the flames within his body reunited within his mouth. As that happened, all features in his body, such as scars and burned marks disappeared. Eventually, he returned to his original appearance, but now, a big magma sphere was being held outside his mouth.
"Blast Burn..." Ash recognized that Red was going to use all his might in this final attack. "Two can play that game! Charizard, start charging!"
"RAAAAWR!"
Ash's Pokémon followed his trainer's orders, as he did something similar as Red's Pokémon did: his vicious flames started accumulating in his mouth, as all traces of the flames his Ultimate Blaze generated disappeared from his body. Like Red's, his body returned to its natural form, leaving a big sphere of flames that were held outside his mouth.
Now both Pokémon looked exactly the same, except that Red's Charizard had fewer wounds than Ash's. Both Pokémon were looking at each other with a great resolve, knowing that they were going to give their all in this final attack.
"CHARIZARD...!"
"...Blast..."
"BURNNNNN!/Burn!"
When they gave their commands, both blazing flying figures released their ultimate attacks that collided into a big mass of flames. The clash was so intense that both trainers were sweating from the extreme heat their Pokémon were releasing that spread vicious flames that reached parts far away from the battle field. Some flames landed on part of the forest, making some trees burn and turn into mere ashes.
"Blastoise, use Protect!" From the audience, Gary ordered to his Pokémon, as it created a big barrier that surrounded them. Brock managed to join them on time so he could be protected as well.
However, the heat was so intense that the barrier surrounding them started to slowly crack.
"The power of those two is insane! The heat is making the barrier to shatter!" Max said.
"We need to cool it! Misty, use your Water-types!"
"Leave it to me!" Misty said as she summoned some of his Pokémon. "Alright! Everyone, use Water-gun!"
The Pokémon used their Water moves to wet the barrier, and keep it cool. The flames were still pushing harder, so the Water-types kept their attacks constantly without holding back.
"CHARIZARD!"
"..."
Both trainers couldn't stop seeing the clash that was being held at the moment. Even though the heat was horrible, it didn't stop the Pokémon, or their trainers. The clash continued, both flame rays trying to become dominant to the other and, after a minute, it seemed that Red's Charizard was getting the upperhand.
"Charizard is still tired, and he received a lot more damage than Red's." Ash gritted his teeth. The power of Red's Charizard was overpowering his own.
"RAAAAAAAAWR!"
They didn't know why it happened at that time, but what was about to happen could be considered as a miracle.
"RAAAWRRAWAR!"
Out of blue, Red's Charizard stared showing an expression of extreme pain in his face. He started agitating, without losing his balance and continuing his attack on his opponent. However, it did affect the power of its attack: he lost his upperhand, and now both attacks were tied as in the beginning.
"What?" Red wondered why his Pokémon reacted that way.
"He seems like he is in pain. But why would that be...?" Ash was also surprised about the sudden reaction, but he then noticed something odd:
Red's Pokémon's left wing was now covered in a painful wound, concentrated in a certain point.
"Could it be...?"
...
"No! KROOKODILE!"
"KROOKOOOOOOOO!"
Shocking everyone, even Red, the crocodile Pokémon emerged from the flames, with burns all over his body. He should be fainted by now, everyone thought, but Krookodile's eyes never stopped to show that burning passion that made him not losing his consciousness. Krookodile surrounded Charizard, and while yelling his name strongly, he striked the big attack in his claw on Charizard's left wing.
...
"Krookodile's attack on Charizard's left wing!" Ash now realized why his previous Pokémon pushed himself really hard to give his final strike.
It was all for this moment.
"Charizard, Krookodile gave us a chance! Let's take advantage of it!"
"FULL POWER!"
Charizard used his remaining Blaze ability to give his Blast Burn a tiny but significative power boost to his attack. Red's Charizard was pushed back, but he resisted being defeated so easily. However, Ash's Pokémon changed the angle of his attack by a little, directing his attack at his opponent's weak point. Due to this, Red's was forced to make a sudden movement that made him lose his balance for a second, but that was enough to change the whole course of the battle.
The flames from Ash's Charizard's Blast Burn eventually overpowered Red's barely, as it clashed directly at the Pokémon, giving him a critical hit, since he was left unprotected from the attack.
An explosion happened, hurting both Pokémon in the process and, when the fog dissipated; it revealed the two Pokémon lying in the ground, without energy to continue.
"Charizard..."
"..."
"Well...that was unexpected..." Brock's voice could be heard from the side of the audience. The barrier managed to handle the heat, so everyone was left unharmed by the attack. "Both Charizard can no longer battle. This round is left as a tie!"
"Then that means...we only have one Pokémon left." Ash muttered.
"I didn't expect that. I guess I underestimated your Pokémon in our last match. He managed to hurt Charizard enough to keep him unable to concentrate in the final hit." Now Red was getting somewhat excited, since the next battle would decide the whole match.
"Charizard, you did well. I'm so proud of you, my friend. Get some rest." Ash returned his Pokémon to his Pokéball, as Red did the same.
Both trainers looked at each other.
A lightning pierced the other's eyes.
They knew. They knew that what was going to come...would be the end.
In the next chapter...
Ash: This is it! The final battle!
Red: Now that this is the last battle, I can say I'm really looking forward how this battle will develop.
Ash: I won't lose! All my friends are here to support me!
Pokémon: The Parallel Challenger
Chapter 14: The Final Volt
Well, that was Chapter 13 for you! I'm very sorry for the delay. College is being really annoying, so I didn't have time to write the chapter. I hope next chapter won't take much time as this one. Studies above everything, right? Well, hope you liked it. I'm hoping it was amazing and really exciting, but right now, the REAL deal starts now. Both with only one Pokémon, which is their starters! Well, time to go. Don't forget to review so I can know what you liked about the fic and what you didn't. Just saying, but my English is not the best, so sometimes I can miss in some spots at grammar or spelling. Should I get a Beta Reader? Nevermind. Well, hope you enjoyed it and let's see what happens in the next chapter. Hollow, out!