Episode 53: by the sword 1
This is the first of the series that will happen throughout the rest of this saga. Ash VS Virizion, please enjoy.
Ash walked through the ruins of the city after the battle he had with his mother and the upcoming battle with Virizion, the trainer looked around the ruined city on his own with his hands in his pockets and his eyes to the ground, the warm breeze hitting his face, the red and orange leaves on the ground after falling from the trees. Ash thought about his battle with his mother again and again as replays of the battle continued to haunt him, "I almost saved her," Ash whispered, he turned his gaze to the ruins of the gym and saw the images of the battle between Chris and Drayden and the moment that the former mayor sacrificed his life for the sake of Iris' life.
Ash continued to walk through the destroyed city, on his own his thoughts going back to before he married the princess to save the Sinnoh Kingdom. "Ash, why are you alone?" Salvia's voice called over to Ash. The prince turned around to see Salvia running towards him, she approached him before placing her hands on her knees so she could gather her breath.
"Seems like I cannot get some time to think on my own," Ash replied with a smile, he looked around to see more of the devastated city, "Iris has gone to get the help of the Elite Four," Ash remarked with a frown, he looked up towards the cliff to think about the battle against the legendary pokemon.
(Flashback) 1 week prior to Iris leaving
"Iris, you're a pin master right?" Ash asked the dragon master quietly, Iris nodded in accordingly, she turned her gaze to the gym building, "I will not challenge you until this war is sorted out," Ash told the girl with an assured smile.
"My battle with Chris was not easy, in fact it was near impossible to battle him since Drayden and I needed to defend the people at the same time," Iris explained with a frown, she looked at the remains of a statue that remained after the deadly battle. "He even commanded his two pokemon to attack the innocent people," Iris told Ash while telling him about the battle she had with Chris with the help of Drayden.
"So you were constantly on the defence?" Ash asked his friend, he looked at the demolished city and remembered the moment he spotted an unconscious Iris, "so what happened to you?" Ash asked another question.
Ash exhaled heavily as she looked away, "I was helping the people out, but my Dragonite took the attack and forced out of the building, at the same time I my head hit the wall knocking me out cold," Iris replied, she looked at her injured pokemon, "Chris had no honour in our battle, even when he used Darkrai and Suicune," Iris told Ash as he looked towards his young wife. Iris walked towards the exit of the tent city and watched the sun rising over the horizon, "Ash I want you to leave the Elite Four to me, you need to deal with Virizion," Iris instructed Ash, she recalled her Dragonite and then proceeded to call out a large blue pokemon with red wings, she climbed onto Salamence and told it to head to the Pokemon League.
Ash watched as his friend left the area while riding her dragon type pokemon, "you know Salvia, after we deal with your uncle, we need to complete our adventure," Ash said with a cynical smile, Salvia looked back and nodded.
'I really don't know what to think, Ash is getting stronger, I feel like I am holding him back,' Salvia thought with sadness as she walked on ahead leaving Ash on his own, Salvia turned her gaze back to Ash, seeing him watching the sunrise over the ruined city, "come on Ash, we need to help the people out!" the princess yelled out with a smile, Ash focused his attention to the royal and nodded in support.
(Return from flashback)
"Hey Salvia before I head off to the battle with Virizion, I have noticed that something has been on your mind," Ash explained quietly, Salvia jolted her head up to meet Ash's eyes and shook her head in shock, Ash sighed and shrugged his shoulders, "I know there is something bothering you, I think I know you well enough to see it in your eyes," Ash commented. The princess ignored the raven haired prince's remark and walked away slowly, leaving him to wonder what was going on with her, "come on Salvia, I know I didn't tell you everything," Ash stated with shame as he ran up to the young woman.
Ash caught up to her and took her arm gently, "Ash, there is nothing I am worried about," Salvia commented while forcing her arm from Ash's grip.
"Salvia, you forget I can sense it in your aura," Ash decreed with certainty.
"So I cannot hide everything from you right?" Salvia asked the aura guardian, he nodded with a smile on his face and grabbed her hand, he closed his eyes while the princess watched in wonderment.
Ash started to listen to Salvia's thought and started to chuckle a little, he opened his eyes and stared into the bluenette's eyes, "you want to challenge the pokemon gyms," Ash said confidently, he let go of Salvia's hand as she gasped in amazement from the trainers words, Ash chuckled again and pulled out an old badge case, "I have been holding on to this for a while now, so I will entrust it to you," Ash said while handing over the case with faded material.
Salvia looked at the case and couldn't say a word to thank him, she looked up and jumped into the trainer's arms, embracing him with all her might, "please promise me that when this war is over, that you will help me with this new challenge," Salvia requested with tears of joy rolling down her face.
Ash returned the embrace and stroked his wife's long blue hair, "of course, but I was thinking you wanted to do Pokemon Contests," Ash commented in reply, "I promise to be there on your journey," Ash promised with pride as he pulled away from the princess' hug.
"My Journey?" Salvia questioned with a perplexed expression.
Ash laughed again this time flicking his wife's nose causing her to cringe slightly after her husband's actions, "yes your journey, this time I will let you choose the region you want to challenge," Ash stated with a smile as he looked up to see his Raichu and Madeline walking up to them, 'Madeline, will come as well,' Ash thought, Ash looked back again to see the sun moving further across the sky.
Salvia stood next to Ash to watch the leaves falling onto the ground, "I will have my journey after we are done with the Master's Challenge," Salvia told Ash joyfully as she grabbed his hand and placed her fingers between his, "I also want Madeline to come with us as well," Salvia told Ash, his vision quickly changed from the beautiful day to his lovely wife in shock that she was say the same thing he was thinking about.
"I was just thinking that, Madeline is a really nice person, she does deserve to be around the people she trusts," Ash stated while they failed to notice Madeline standing behind them.
Madeline watched the two enjoy the day together, she started crying after hearing the conversation between her friends, 'those two really trust me?' Madeline thought as she turned around.
Ash sighed for a moment and thought about his next move, "Salvia, I have been thinking of something," Ash pointed out, he let go of the princess' hand and pulled out a photo of the three, Salvia looked at the photo and smiled at it for a moment, "I was thinking that since we were talking about starting a family," Ash started while Salvia listened with intent.
"Yes Ash, tell me, what is you were thinking of," Salvia asked sweetly.
"I was thinking of adopting Madeline; just want to know if you wanted to agree with me on that?" Ash retorted as he looked at the photo.
Madeline who had started walking away, froze in her tracks with the gentle breeze whipping her long black hair around, 'no way, he thinks of me more than just a friend,' Madeline thought as he tears started to well up again.
"I know you don't want to reply straight away, but I believe she deserves a second chance of having a family," Ash explained with a smile, he looked over his shoulder and smiled at the girl who was still standing frozen from what she had just heard, "I knew you were standing there the entire time Madeline," Ash commented with a grin.
The little girl dried up her tears and turned around, "don't think you can replace my lost parents," Madeline told Ash and Salvia before walking up to them slowly and with uncertainty, "but I need to be grateful to you," Madeline declared openly, she smiled at the two before she turned around to get a view of the tent city, "I never told you two what my dream was," Madeline stated as she started to take her first step towards the tent city, "to be as strong as Ash and as graceful as Salvia," Madeline declared her dream to the royal couple.
Ash and Salvia made eye contact with pride knowing that there was someone who wanted to be just like them, "so you want to compete with Gym Leaders?" Ash questioned the little girl.
"No she wants to compete in Pokemon Contests," Salvia argued while pulling out her last two ribbons.
The little girl shook her head, she turned her gaze to both Ash and Salvia, "no, I want to compete in both," Madeline replied playfully, the two royals watched the girl running off with Raichu following her.
Ash chuckled as his trusted pokemon continued to keep an eye on the little girl, "you know Salvia, after we complete your journey we should get her a starter pokemon," Ash remarked quietly, he started walking back towards the camp before his hand was taken by his young wife, the two walked peacefully through what remained of the destroyed city, "a starter pokemon from the both of us respectively," Ash told the princess.
Salvia listened to Ash while holding the badge case in her other hand, "yes but what kind of pokemon should we give her?" Salvia asked her love, the two continued to walk through the city thinking about the two pokemon they could get the little girl before she could begin her journey, "shouldn't we give her that choice?" Salvia asked after the two caught up with the little girl and Ash's Raichu.
Meanwhile at the top of a cliff four pokemon were looking down at the trio, on was a large blue pokemon, white fur under its face, another was a bulky pokemon colored grey with large brown hors surrounding its face, while a smaller cream colored pokemon with an orange mane and a thick bushy blue tail and Virizion stood there watching the royal couple talking to the black haired girl, 'so Virizion you say this person is willing to help the people and the pokemon, yet he couldn't prevent a war that has cost the lives of people and pokemon alike,' Cobalion told its fellow legendary pokemon, the leader of the four turned away as he listened to the trio continuing their conversation, 'fine I accept your proposal, we shall test to see if they are worthy of our power,' Cobalion said before leaving the other three to think about the situation at hand.
'Cobalion is as steely as ever,' Terrakion stated with a smile, the larger pokemon looked down at the trio and continued to scan the area, 'you know you might want to see what the young man has to offer, but I want to see what the blue haired woman has to offer when she battles me,' Terrakion remarked boastfully, the larger pokemon left the scene leaving only Keldeo and Virizion to look on from the cliff.
'Keldeo, you can go now, I will be staying to see what the trainer is capable of,' Virizion reminded the colt pokemon calmly.
"I want to watch your battle," the colt pokemon replied eagerly.
"No Keldeo, you need to train before your battle, just don't tell Cobalion that I really want to help these people end a senseless war," Virizion told the smaller pokemon, Keldeo looked away in shame knowing that Virizion wanted to not have this battle witnessed by the more inexperienced legendary, the colt pokemon walked off leaving the larger green pokemon to continue staring at the group.
"Oh come on you two I was only joking," Ash complained in the distance before being pushed to the ground.
'Great, he is also immature as well,' Virizion reminded itself while watching the other girl tackle the trainer to the ground.
Madeline got to her feet and looked down at the trainer, "joking? Well I wouldn't want to know what being serious is like with you," Madeline stated causing the princess to giggle at the trouble had gotten into by Madeline.
"Alright you two, we can have lunch now," Salvia commented while giving a plate each to Madeline and Ash, after giving the plates to them she walked back to get a bowl of food for each of the pokemon, she looked over to Ash's Raichu who was being hugged by her Raichu, it was then she turned her focus to the large legendary pokemon resting next to the table, "you know Reshiram, you should eat too," Salvia commented while placing the bowl of pokemon food next to the vast white pokemon.
'No I don't eat much, I rely on a different source of food,' Reshiram told the princess while looking at the food for a moment before pushing it away towards one of the forest pokemon, 'thanks anyway princess,' Reshiram thankfully told the royal in her mind.
"Not a problem Reshiram," Salvia replied happily. The bluenette took her plate of food and sat next to Ash, she grabbed some utensils and started to eat, while eating the food she had cooked the trio were watching the trees sway in the breeze a flock of Rufflets flying in formation, one of the eaglet pokemon landed near the bowl of pokemon food Reshiram pushed away.
The group watched while the flock of pokemon started eating the food, Ash got up and saw a smaller Rufflet trying to get some of the food but was being pushed away by the much bigger eaglet pokemon, he picked up a handful of pokemon food from his Raichu's bowl and walked towards the bird pokemon, "you must be the runt of the flock," Ash commented while kneeling down with his handful of food extended out.
Salvia and Madeline watched as the small flying type started pecking at the food, "he is feeding this pokemon," Salvia whispered while watching admirably from the table.
"Wow, he is so kind, far different from being strong," Madeline told herself before a sudden gust of wind pushed the group from their seats. The little girl looked up to see a large green pokemon glaring at Ash who was pushed aside with Rufflet in his arms, "Ash, watch out!" Madeline yelled out in shock as the legendary pokemon approached the trainer.
"So you want to battle me?" Ash asked the legendry pokemon, he pulled out a pokeball and jumped back and got ready to battle, a smirk on his face and the winds starting to pick up, the trees continued to sway as the two combatants got ready to battle, "go Lucario," Ash called for his first pokemon. Ash picked up another of his pokeballs and recalled the vast white pokemon, the trainer threw the masterball towards the princess, "keep a good eye on Reshiram," Ash told his blue haired wife.
'So let's see what your resolve is like,' the grassland pokemon remarked.
"Lucario, start things off with Aura Sphere," Ash ordered his pokemon. A large ball of blue energy formed in the palms of the aura pokemon getting larger until Lucario pushed his hands out pushing the powerful attack towards the legendry pokemon.
'Not good enough,' Virizion told Ash as it created a large blade from the black spot on its head, the grassland pokemon slashed down with a green blade while glowing green, the large pokemon charged towards the aura pokemon and slashed down on Lucario.
"Quick, use Bone Rush to defend," Ash quickly commanded in panic, the dark blue pokemon extended his arms out and formed a blue bone staff to hold the legendary at bay, "now counter!" Ash yelled out, the aura pokemon skilfully used the bone staff to combat against the skills of the grassland pokemon.
'Not too bad,' Virizion stated while using the blade on its forehead to strike the bone staff. The two were dodging and parrying attacks while the two powerful pokemon continued to strike, an opening presented itself for Lucario to hit the legendary pokemon, but as he went in for an attack the bone disappeared letting the swordsman to hit the aura pokemon, Ash's pokemon hit the ground after the powerful hit but got back to his feet, 'not bad, your Lucario is well trained,' Virizion complimented with a smile.
The aura pokemon fell to his knee and started to growl at the legendary pokemon, "this isn't good, I wasn't able to change my team around due to the Pokemon Center being destroyed in the attack," Ash complained while pulling out his pokeball, "Lucario, attack with Force Palm," Ash commanded knowing that this attack could mean Lucario's defeat. The fox like pokemon charged towards the grassland pokemon calmly got ready to face the attack, a sword reformed from the top of its head, "now Lucario," Ash instructed his pokemon, the aura pokemon vanished while Virizion slashed down to where Lucario was charging in.
Virizion was looking around to see where the trainer's pokemon was, before it could find the fighting type pokemon, he came down from above with a glowing hand causing a large explosion dealing damage to the grass type pokemon, the legendary spun around hitting the steel type with its Sacred Sword, 'that was a brilliant move,' Virizion stated feeling impressed by the trainers ability to change things up.
Ash recalled his pokemon knowing that he couldn't continue the battle, "Zoroark, I choose you," Ash called for his next pokemon.
Virizion looked on in surprise to see a dark type standing in front of it, 'you do know my ability is called Justified, whenever I am hit by a dark type move my attack powers up,' Virizion explained while Ash just glared at the legendary with a smirk, 'he is confident as well,' Virizion told itself while the dark type got ready to face it.
"So no dark type moves, well I better use Flamethrower now," Ash replied with his command for another attack.
Salvia and Madeline watched the intense battle between Ash and the first sword of justice, the powerful fire type move crossed the battlefield with heat so extreme that the grass in the area started to wither away, "amazing, Zoroark has gotten much stronger," Salvia reminded herself. She watched in amazement when the legendary pokemon leapt into the air with the fire attack barely missing it, 'I thought that was going to hit,' Salvia thought while the flames dissipated.
"Try this Virizion," Ash yelled out as his pokemon formed a shadowy sphere before sending it into the chest of the legendary pokemon, but the legendary used a green blade to slice the attack in half sending the remnants in different directions, the attacks exploded destroying the, 'dammit, Virizion Is good,' Ash thought as his pokemon dodged the attacks before being hit by a Sacred Sword from the legendary pokemon.
'You have a lot of skill handling pokemon with a type disadvantage,' Virizion commented while watching the trainer withdrew his pokemon from the battle, 'another recall from the battle, he cares for his pokemon's wellbeing,' Virizion thought while Ash got ready to call out his next pokemon for the battle, 'a Gengar, a great choice,' Virizion said with a grin, the grassland pokemon started to pant as it got ready to attack, this time a circle of stones started to surround the legendary pokemon.
"That's Stone Edge," Ash said quietly, "Gengar, attack with Hypnosis," Ash called for the couneter attack, a hypnotic wave pulsed through the air while Virizion unleashed a powerful barrage of stones towards the ghost type pokemon.
"Salvia, is Ash going to win this battle?" Madeline asked the princess, the little girl kept her focus on the battle as the two attacks passed by one another, Gengar fell back after the powerful hit from the legendary pokemon, but Ash noticed that the grass type had fallen asleep after being hit by Hypnosis, "come on Ash hit it with Dream Eater!" Madeline yelled out with confidence.
Ash nodded in response to the black haired girls command, "you heard her Gengar, use Dream Eater," Ash instructed the ghost type pokemon, the ghost type pokemon started to glow a purple aura before charging towards the sleeping fighting type pokemon. After passing through the grassland pokemon, Gengar appeared behind the opposing pokemon hovering in mid-air, "now follow up with Shadow Ball!" Ash yelled out his next instruction, after forming a powerful purple sphere Gengar hurled the attack into the back of the green pokemon.
Virizion suddenly woke up and was hit by the powerful ghost type move pushing it to the ground, after getting up the grass type surrounded itself with stones and sent a volley of stones towards Gengar, the ghost type did its best to dodge the attack but the small rocks kept coming, 'you have done well young man,' Virizion stated as the ghost type came crashing to the ground.
Ash recalled his pokemon, he looked over to his Raichu, "alright buddy it's your turn to battle," Ash called over to his partner pokemon, 'I sure hope he has trained up,' Ash thought to himself as his electric pokemon ran in front of him with sparks flying from his cheeks, 'if I can get the special ability to activate, I can use my secret weapon,' Ash thought while looking up to see the legendary opponent panting heavily, "seems like you're getting tired Virizion," Ash commented while smirking at the first sword of justice.
'I still have plenty of power to battle you,' Virizion told Ash calmly, the legendary started to glow green and a green blade formed from the top of the legendries head, the grassland pokemon charged towards the electric mouse and got ready to swing Sacred Sword at the trainer's partner pokemon.
"Alright buddy, dodge the attack then use Thunderbolt," Ash told his pokemon, the smaller pokemon waited for the chance to dodge the attack, the small pokemon leapt into the air successfully dodging the attack before unleashing a mighty blast of electricity on the fighting type pokemon, the electric mouse landed in front of Ash but Virizion was still standing with sparks flying from its body, 'well at least I got what I wanted to get done without Raichu taking a hit,' Ash thought before pulling out a pokeball from his belt, "Raichu, I have a surprise, so I need you to withdraw from the battle," Ash told his electric mouse pokemon much to his surprise.
Salvia tilted her head for a second wondering what her husband was talking about, "what is his last pokemon?" Salvia asked quietly as the prince's starter pokemon ran towards the princess and the girl.
"Whatever it is, it must be really strong," Madeline declared as the two girls watched as the trainer called out a large orange pokemon with broad wings and a long tail with a bright flame at the tip of the tail, "a Charizard?" Madeline question in amazement.
"Ash must have got him back during the six months he was away training," Salvia reminded herself with a confident smile, the two girls watched as the fire type roared loudly and sprouted flames into the air.
"I will finish this quickly," Ash promised while the fire type lifted off from the ground while Virizion struggled to counter the powerful fire type pokemon, "now use Wing Attack," the prince commanded his fire type pokemon while punching the air in front of him, the wings of the flame pokemon started to glow a pure white with Charizard flying at incredible speed.
'No I cannot counter, I am paralyzed,' Virizion reminded itself before receiving a mighty hit from the fire type pokemon, the fire type wheeled around and headed straight towards the grassland pokemon, íf the next move hits, then this battle is over,' Virizion stated while standing still accepting the fate of the battle.
"Alright Charizard, stop, this battle is over," Ash said much to everyone's surprise, the fire type landed next to the trainer while Virizion looked on in amazement, "we both knew that I would win with one more attack right? I had nothing left to prove and plus I didn't want to hurt you anymore," Ash said with a smile while recalling his fire type pokemon.
Salvia ran up to the legendary pokemon to tend to its wounds from the powerful battle it faced against Ash, while healing the grassland pokemon Salvia looked over her shoulder and proudly smiled at the trainer, "not only has he shown care towards his pokemon in the battle, he battle less recklessly than seven months ago," Salvia proudly boasted while healing the injured pokemon. After healing the pokemon Salvia walked up to the table and grabbed a bowl of pokemon food, Ash took one more serving of food, "that was amazing Ash," Salvia complimented her husband before kissing him on the cheek, the princess ran off to give the legendary some of the pokemon food.
'Your next stop is in Himilau City where Terrakion awaits you,' Virizion told the trio after eating the pokemon food, 'but Terrakion will not be facing Ash in battle, it will be facing you,' Virizion said while looking at the princess.
Salvia shockingly stared at the grassland pokemon after being told that she was going to battle next, "Me? But I am nowhere near as strong as Ash," Salvia declared still in shock, Ash placed his hand on his wife's shoulder and nodded, "but Ash," Salvia said while trying to string together a sentence, but was unable to due to feeling nervous.
"Come on Salvia, I will help you get stronger," Ash replied with a confident smile.
'Very well, Terrakion will see you in two weeks,' Virizion instructed the princess before turning away from the group, 'thanks for the great battle Ash, my sword is on your side now, but the next three will not be so easy,' Virizion told Ash before disappearing from the area.
"We better get to Himilau City so we can start training you Salvia," Ash told the bluenette with a confident smile.
Madeline watched as the princess looked at the ground feeling sorry for her, 'poor Salvia, she hasn't had the chance to train her pokemon, she was focused on preparing her life as a wife for Ash after this journey,' Madeline thought while taking the first steps towards the married couple, 'now she has to face a tough opponent,' Madeline thought to herself while thinking about the next battle against the next legendary pokemon.
The battle against the first sword of Justice ends in victory, but now Salvia has to face the next one in a battle.
Will she win her battle?
Next time episode 54: By the sword 2