I know that officially Ash is ten in the anime, but he's about sixteen in this story. If you've watched the X&Y Anime you'll that he is much more mature than the earlier seasons. I don't know what the writers have against aging him... but oh well.
Also I will be trying to be sticking to both the anime cannon and game cannon in this story. So Ash will remember and recall events from anything that took place in the anime from the first season all the way up to the X&Y season. Everything that takes place during XY&Z (with the first episode airing yesterday in Japan) has not happened in this story, Ash was taken before then. So Ash doesn't know about Team Flare or anything yet. And since this story is based off of my Y nuzlocke gameplay, I will be sticking to game mechanics and story line, with my own few twists of course.
Day Three
"Meowah," Mufasa purred, licking his paw. The Litleo had been following him since yesterday at route twenty-two. Ash had finally decided to catch it in the Pokemon Center since it didn't seem to be going anywhere. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to have another fire type with his bug type gym match today.
Ash's stomach did a backflip at the word 'gym'. He had been nervous before gym battles, but this was a completely different feeling. He wasn't nervous, he was frightened. Terrified, not only by the fact that one of his new Pokemon could die, but that in order to win that a Pokemon would die under his direction.
Ash looked down at his hands, he had five Pokemon. A Panpour that wouldn't listen to him, a Bunnelby he had promised he wouldn't battle with, a Litleo that seemed too friendly to put in a deathmatch, a loyal Pidgey that hadn't hesitated to listen to him, and of course his Fennekin. Ash didn't want to put Kindle in a battle though, she had stuck by his side, believed him when he said he was from another world, nearly attacked Yveltal to protect him, and had just been a friend to him in this dark world.
But Kindle was also his strongest Pokemon...
"Did you really need another fire type?"
Ash didn't even need to glance up to know who it was, "I don't see how what Pokemon I have is any of your business, Serena," Ash said. She snorted, sitting on the bench next to him.
"Are still in your 'I'm not battling Pokemon' mood, or are you finally going to do something productive?" She asked him.
Ash sighed, "I'm... I am going to battle in the gym, but... But not because I want to," He said slowly.
"Are you worried about losing for first gym battle? Trust me, it isn't too hard. This is your first badge, so the Pokemon that the gym leader will use have never been in a gym battle before. And three of your Pokemon have a type advantage. Unless you do something stupid, your Pokemon will sweep the floor," Serena told, as if this would cheer him up, "I've already won, and I only had one type advantage. You may be naive, but you care about things. I think you'll win."
"It's not the fact that I'll win or lose, it's the fact that Pokemon will die either way," Ash replied, "Even if I do win, those gym Pokemon will have died. Yet if I lose, then my Pokemon are dead."
Serena gave him a quizzical look, "If you really hate the whole idea, then why on earth do you have a gym license?"
Ash sighed again, "It's a long story, and I honestly don't think you'd even care if I told you," Or believe me.
Serena rolled her eyes, standing up, "Then be that way. You act like I'm out to get you or something. But your battle is starting in seven minutes, just so you know. But I guess you wouldn't even care if I told you," She turned on her heel and left.
Ash glanced up at the town clock, it was nearly ten o'clock. He gritted his teeth, he had already decided that he was going through with this. He stood up, looking down at Mufasa. The Litleo looked back, blinking his big blue eyes. Some darker part of Ash wanted to use this untrained Pokemon instead of Kindle, but as knew that was even crueler than battling with Kindle. At least she had a chance. Mufasa didn't have any fear of Ash, the little lion trusted him completely. At least Aura had shown some fear at first and trusted him after he'd healed her. But this blind loyalty was making him nervous, his Pokemon's life were literally in his hands.
"Come on," He told the Litleo, "Let's get this over with."
The fire type beamed up at him, following him towards the gym. A Fletchinder darted out of a tree above the bench, as Ash stood up. It watched him from the air, it's beady eyes glaring at him. Ash shuddered, looking around, but everything seemed normal in the town, so he moved on. The Fletchinder landed on a roof, watching Ash weave his way through the streets. No other Pokemon seemed to approach the Fletchinder, most seemed to run or fly away when it got close. It puffed up its feathers, blue eyes almost glowing as it glared at Ash. A black aura surrounded the flying type as it took off again, still keeping an eye on Ash.
He prefered a flying type form, but still being confined to such a small body bothered him. The Fletchinder host tried to fight against the invader in his body, but Yveltal's will was much stronger than the bird's. It was crushed and tossed away as Yveltal took full control. This may be a little pocket world he had made for the purpose of sending Ash here, but it still functioned like any world. The humans would react and be frightened if he took on his true form here. Both humans and Pokemon rejected the Dark Aura he radiated, no matter what form he was in or who was hosting him.
Yveltal sighed, releasing his host. The Fletchinder's eyes faded back to normal, and the bird bolted. Too traumatized to probably ever return to the city, Yveltal never treated his hosts kindly. They were recyclable to him.
Ash stared up at the gym, then pushed the doors opened. The gym was empty except for a receptionist at the desk. Ash gulped, and walked up to her. She was tapping away on a keyboard and it took her a few moments to notice Ash. She paused, looking up at him. Her eyes scanned him quickly, before giving him a sharp, "Yes?"
"I- I'm here for my gym battle," Ash said quickly before he could back out. The lady stared at him, and he pulled out his slip of paper that read when he had his battle. She plucked it from his hands, scanning a small bar code on it. She glanced at something that showed up on her computer, and gave a nod.
"You're registered, the battle will start soon, go sit over there," She pointing towards a small empty lobby beyond her desk, "Someone will take you to the battlefield when it is your turn."
"Thank you," Ash said, taking a step forward.
"Hey!" She snapped, causing Ash to flinch. She pointed at Mufasa, "All Pokemon must be in their Pokeballs until the battle begins."
"S-s-sorry," Ash said, quickly returning Mufasa. She snorted, and he walked into the lobby, sitting down. "Good thing Pikachu isn't here..." Ash muttered to himself. His best friend would have freaked out if tried to be put back into his Pokeball. Ash gulped, imaging Pikachu here with him. It would be wonderful and horrible at the same time.
"Now that would have been interesting," Someone said next to Ash, making him jump, "I'll have to keep that in mind for next time... Having your own Pokemon here with you..."
"You!" Ash cried. Yveltal was sitting next to him in his human avatar. He grinned, giving Ash a two finger salute as a greeting, "What are you doing here Yveltal!?" He growled.
Yveltal playfully laid a finger on his lips, "Clyde, remember? Don't want people thinking you're crazy," Yveltal paused, "Dang, why do I always come up with the good ideas after my Pariahs are doing their trials? That would have been awesome, people thinking that you're crazy..." He smiled at Ash, "But if you keep acting like you do then maybe they will. Don't let me down."
"I'll do everything in my power to disappoint you," Ash snarled.
"Feisty, are we? Don't act like this is my fault, you're the one that set yourself up for this," Yveltal said, leaning back in his chair, arms behind his head. Ash found it weird for a Pokemon, especially one lacking arms, to be making such human-like movements, even if he was in a human form. He grinned, "It's not a human thing, it's just something that this shape of body finds as a comfortable position. You see bipedal Pokemon do it too; Lucario, Lopunny, Electivire."
Ash blinked, "Did you just read my mind?"
"Your mind is pretty much unguarded, and amulet helps me see your thoughts. Psychics read minds, I'm only seeing basic thoughts," He said with a shrug. Ash's hand wrapped around the black gem, and Yveltal let out a laugh that sounded a bit like a caw, "I wouldn't take it off if I were you. It doesn't only go back on itself, but the shock gets worse every time you take it off. May not feel like much right now, but just wait til your fifth or sixth time."
"Are you here just to taunt me?" Ash growled.
"I told you I'd be hanging around the gyms. I don't want to miss your first match, I've put so much work into this world," He looked at Ash, "I was suppose to tell you something... Ah, yes," He pointed towards a door, "It's time for your battle."
As if responding to Yveltal, the door opened, and a battle judge walked in, "Ash Ketchum," He called, and Ash's knees turned to jelly. He pushed himself to his feet, "Gym leader Viola is ready to battle you," He stepped aside, inviting Ash to past through the door. Ash turned around, wanting to say some choice words to Yveltal, but the Pokemon was gone. Ash glanced around the gym, but the only person there was the receptionist from earlier. Ash gulped, walking through the door.
The battle judge shut the door behind him, it's bang echoing through the battle room. It seemed to seal off Ash from the outside world. Ash looked around the battle room, a large battlefield sat in the middle of the room, and several chairs were pushed along the walls, as if meant for spectators. What looked like a giant web hung across the ceiling of the room, probably as a reminder that this was a bug type gym. It was very different than the Santalune Gym Ash had battled in, where the whole building was set up like a greenhouse.
Snap!
A bright flash lit up Ash's face, leaving Ash temporarily blinded. Ash stumbled, trying to blink the dark spots out of his eyes. When his vision finally cleared he looked up, glaring at a blonde female with a camera. She was looking down at the shot she had just taken, "Yes," She said with a smile, "That determined expression… That glint in your eye that says you're up to the challenge… It's fantastic! Just fantastic! This your first time challenging a Gym? Fantastic! Whether it's the tears of frustration that follow a loss or the blossoming of joy that comes with victory… They're both great subjects for my camera! Fantastic!" She exclaimed.
Ash did not feel determined at all. He had no idea where she was coming from, "Er..."
"I am Viola," She said, "The Santalune City gym leader. You must be Ash, my first challenger of the day! Welcome!"
"Hi..." Ash said uncertainly, and she grabbed him by the shoulders, steering him towards one end of the battlefield.
"This is where you'll be. You are not allowed to enter the battlefield during any point of the battle, got it?" Viola said, "Vince will explain the rest of the rules," She nodded towards the battle judge, who was on side of the battlefield, waiting. Viola hurried over to her end of the battlefield, smiling at Ash, camera hanging around her neck.
Vince stepped forward, "This will be a two-on-two battle, substitutions allowed. The battle is over when all of one side's Pokemon are dead. A challenger nor gym leader cannot step onto the field at anytime during the battle and forfeiting is not allowed," He glanced down at his clipboard, reading the rest of the rules,"One healing item may be used per battle, but the opponent is then allowed a free hit after it's use, and the same goes with substituting. Though one free substitution maybe take place after one Pokemon has fallen if the trainer chooses to do so. Challengers get the first move, now choose your Pokemon."
"This'll be just fantastic! Now come at me! My lens is always focused on victory— I won't let anything ruin this shot!" Viola cried, grabbing a Pokeball.
Ash gulped, they were charging right into battle. Who should he start with? With two fire types, using one of them was tempting, but he remembered what Pokemon the Viola from his world had lead off with... Ash grabbed a Pokeball, releasing his Pokemon as Viola did the same.
"Pidg!" Aura came out in a flash of white light, and the Pidgey did a quick lap around the battlefield.
A Surskit materialized on the other end of the battlefield. Ash sighed with relief, glad he had not sent out a fire type against the half water type. Both Pokemon glared at each other, a fierce look in their eyes. Vince cried, "Begin!" And Ash gulped again.
"Aura, use Gust!" Ash cried. Just a regular battle, He told himself, Just focus like it's a regular battle!
Aura harshly flapped her wings, whipping up a small gale that hit the Surskit. The water type crouched, digging its legs into the dirt to stop itself from blowing away, "Now Quick Attack!"
Aura became outlined in a white light, then dove at incredible speed at the Surskit. Ash cringed as Aura hit, leaving a good sized slash in the blue Pokemon's side. Blood began to pool around the cut as Viola cried, "Water Sport!"
The Surskit glowed blue, releasing a thick vapor that quickly spread around the entire room. The vapor seemed to vanish, but as Ash took a deep breath he noticed that it was much more humid than before. The air seemed much thicker and wetter, making it hard to breath, but it didn't seem to harm Aura, so he ordered another attack, "Tackle, then use Gust!"
Aura went into another dive, but this time focusing on power rather than speed. The attack hit the bug type hard, launching it across the field. A well timed Gust hit the Surskit mid air, making its slam into the wall much harder. The Surskit peeled itself from the wall, favoring one of its four legs as it dragged itself back onto the battlefield, blood still pouring from it's slash, "Sur..."
"Bubble," Viola said, and the Pokemon formed a several bubbles around its antenna, firing them at Aura. They hit, disrupting her flight, "Quick Attack as it comes down," Viola said, snapping her fingers. Even on three legs the Pokemon moved quickly, nicking Aura as she fell. Ash felt queasy as blood began to form on her chest feathers. Aura hit the ground, kicking up sand as she landed.
"Sand attack!" Ash cried, his Pokemon couldn't get hurt if they couldn't get hit. Using her larger feet Aura kicked up some of the sand on the battlefield, then flapped her wings, sending the dust into the Surskit's eyes, "And into Quick Attack!" Aura jumped into the air, glowing, then she sped right at the blinded Surskit. She struck with her claws, shredding the thin skin on bug. Aura flew straight up, so she was right above the Surskit.
"Bubble, straight up!" Viola said, but Aura swung around the spheres of water, waiting for Ash's command. He gulped, Just a regular battle! That's not blood, Pikachu just left some ketchup lying around...
He couldn't convince himself.
"A-aura, try to finish this quickly, please! Quick Attack and grab it!"
The Pidgey dove down with her Quick Attack, seizing the bug type in her talons, lifting her into the air, struggling to gain air with the extra weight. It didn't help that Viola gave a command to her Surskit escape, so the bug type was lashing out against Aura, "Pidg!"
"Drop it and use Gust!" Ash ordered, and the bug type was released in mid air. The force of the Gust sped up the force of the fall, and Ash could hear some things snapping as it landed. His vision became fuzzy and his head was buzzing. The small Surskit's legs were bent in strange directions, and it was writhing on the ground. It couldn't stand up, Ash could end this now, but he hesitated.
Viola watched him, "Use Water Sport," She said. The bug type shook, yet managed to produce another wave of the vapor. The air became humid once more, "What are you waiting for?" Viola asked, "If you hesitate you may miss the perfect picture. Take your shot."
Ash trembled, "I- I can't," He whispered.
"Pidg!" Aura chirped. She was freshly caught, and in the wild you didn't wait to deliver the final blows. She wanted to end this now. Ash could only watch the small bug writhe on the ground though, he had put it in this condition. He gulped, but couldn't seem to get rid of the lump in his throat. Tears stung his eyes as his mouth quivered.
It will die slowly if I don't do this, Ash thought, part of his mind trying justify what he was about to say. His hands shook as his voice cracked, "A-aura, use Q-quicck A-att-tack," He said quietly. He couldn't look away as Aura went into one move dive, beak posed to strike. She rammed into the Surskit at full force, her beak piercing the Surskit right in the heart. A sob escaped his mouth as the Surskit stopped writhing. Aura pulled back, blood on her chest, claws, and beak. She looked back at Ash, confused on why her trainer was crying.
Ash's heart thudded against his chest for the next few moments. Viola pulled out a Pokeball, pointing it at the Surskit. A beam of light came out, but instead of the usual red of returning a Pokemon, it was black. The black beam absorbed the Surskit, returning it.
"Viola's Surskit is down," Vince said, "The challenger may substitute Pokemon if he chooses."
"It's called a 'death beam'," Viola explained, pointing to her Pokeball, "A Pokemon can be returned to its Pokeball one last time after it dies. The beam comes out as black instead of red, which is how a trainer can know for sure if their Pokemon is gone."
Ash said nothing. His vision was cloudy as tears rolled down his cheeks. I just killed a Pokemon, was the thought pounding in his head. Aura was watching him, along with Viola and Vince. Ash shook, raising up a Pokeball, "A-aura, ret-turn," The bird Pokemon was sucked back into the ball by the red beam. Ash shakily grabbed another Pokeball, "Kindle," He whispered, sending out the fox, "I need you."
The Fennekin let out an excited yip, dashing out onto the battlefield. Viola grabbed her last Pokeball, sending out a meadow patterned Vivillon. The pink butterfly flew up, her wings gleaming in the lights. Viola smiled, "One down for you, but two more for me. Ready? Vivillon, used Gust!"
The Vivillon let out a blast of wind, but it seemed weaker than the one Aura had used. But it was still strong enough to force Kindle dig her claws into the field to stayed balance. Ash gulped, "Ember!"
Kindle formed the small sphere of fire in front of her mouth, launching it at the Vivillon. Yet as the attack was moving it seemed to be going out. By the time the Ember reached the Vivillon it was only a few sparks that barely seemed to do anything. Both Ash and Kindle seemed suprised, "Use Tackle," Viola said, and the Vivillon slammed into Kindle, then soared back into the air. Viola grinned, "Surskit's Water Sport. It lasts even when she isn't in battle, it weakens fire moves. Since you gave me the opportunity to use it one more time it's now in full force again."
Ash's eyes widened, remembering the vapor move that didn't seem to do anything. Kindle's Ember was weakened because of the humidity in the room, she was at a disadvantage, "Kindle, use Scratch!" Her claws began to glow, and she leapt into the air at Vivillon.
"Harden!"
The Vivillon's wings gleamed with a metallic glow, and the Scratch bounced off, barely marking the fragile wings. Kindle landed on all fours, growling in annoyance, "Kin..." Her fire moves were useless, along with her physical moves. Ash panicked a bit, if Kindle could only do a little bit of damage she would be a sitting Psyduck to the Vivillon's attacks. Maybe if he sent Aura back in they could have a chance.
Ash pulled out Kindle's Pokeball just as Viola called out, "Infestation!" The Vivillon released dozens of black spores from her wings, which gathered on the ground below her, looking like a shadow. The shadowy mass worked its way across the battlefield, swirling around Kindle's feet. Kindle scampered back, but the mass crawled up her legs, quickly surrounding most of her fur. She tried shaking it off, but they just gathered around her. Kindle let out a yelp as the Infestation suddenly went from annoying to stinging her. She jumped, but she couldn't get the attack off of her.
Ash aimed the Pokeball at her, "Return!" He called, and the red beam rushed towards Kindle, but instead of returning her it bounced off the black specks, fading out. Ash tried again, but the Infestation seemed to be somehow blocking the return beam. Ash's panic grew as Viola's smile grew.
"Infestation isn't the strongest move, but it is still a good one. It causes a bit of damage every now and then, but it also prevents a Pokemon from being recalled in battle. I have a simple strategy with my level one badge battles, I send in a Surskit to set up Water Sport to annoy fire types and to get off as much damage as it can, then a Vivillon comes in and traps in a Pokemon- then takes out as many Pokemon as she can. Bug types aren't the strongest, but they can set up some annoying obstacles," Viola smiled, "It's my job to test the challenger."
Ash tried to focus, Kindle was a fire type, she could resist most of the attacks. Infestation couldn't last forever, neither could the Water Sport. If she could just hold out until then... "Kindle, use Howl!"
The Fennekin closed her eyes, raising her head. Her body faintly glowed as she let out a loud howl. Her claws seemed to glow brighter as Ash ordered another Scratch attack. The attack seemed to do a bit more, but the butterfly still was flying without trouble.
"Raising your attack? Vivillon, use Harden again, then keep the Fennekin back with Gust, don't let it near you," Viola said. Vivillon's wings gleamed as she strengthened her defensive power. Kindle darted forward, leaping into the air, slashing with her claws. Ash took a breath of air, it was still moist, he didn't want to waste time with fire attacks yet.
"Howl as you use Scratch again," Ash called, "And avoid getting hit at all cost." I can't let Kindle get hurt.
Kindle, still covered in the Infestation, howled as she charged forward. The Vivillon drifted up, avoiding the attacks. Kindle dodged the Gust, trying to find a way to reach her flying target. She was frustrated, she didn't want to lose her first battle in a gym! Her body felt warmer, embers sparking on her fur.
"Tackle," Viola said, and the Vivillon came down from her aerial advantage, trying to slam into Kindle, but the fox was ready. She howled again, then ducked. The bug barely missed her, and Kindle turned, leaping. She pinned the butterfly down.
"Ember!" Ash cried, and Kindle fired the attack. It still wasn't as strong as it should be, but it was stronger than before. It left a black scorch mark on the Vivillon's wings as Kindle scrambled back. The butterfly winced, but rose back into the air. Injured or not, they were still fighting. They both knew that only one of them would leave this match alive, they were fighting for the chance to fight again.
"Gust!" Viola ordered, she knew that the Water Sport was wearing out. She wanted to take out at least of the Pokemon. Kindle got ready to dodge, but the Infestation made her cringe, and the Gust blew her away, knocking her on her back. The Vivillon came down with a powerful Tackle right into Kindle's stomach. She whimpered, then got an idea. Her back claws began to glow with scratch, and she kicked, knocking the Vivillon off her. She rolled to her feet, ready to attack.
Ash took a deep breath, the air wasn't moist anymore, Water Sport was gone, "Kindle, use your fire, finish this!"
Kindle took in a deep breath, taking in all the oxygen she needed for a fire attack. She tired to prepare an Ember, but her energy was humming in a different way. She frowned, and instead of focusing her fire in front of her mouth, she focused on her whole body. Embers danced up her fur, burning the remains of the black Infestation. Her whole body burst into fire as she darted forward. The flames seemed to give her energy, making her race faster towards the fallen Vivillon. She rammed into it, and her flames spread to the butterfly.
Kindle stumbled out of her Flame Charge attack, the fire on her dying down. She turned back towards the Vivillon. Her wings had been reduced to cinders, leaving only a charred skeleton of the wings. The bug type's body was burnt to a crisp. Viola sighed, raising the Pokeball. The charred remains were returned to the Pokeball with the black beam. Fennekin knew what that meant, it meant that the Vivillon was dead. She had won the battle! Kindle turned towards Ash, beaming with pride and excitement.
"Viola's Vivillon is out, and since all of Viola's Pokemon on dead, that leaves Ash Ketchum, the challenger the winner of the match!" Vince declared.
Kindle raced towards Ash, yipping excitedly, "Kin!" She had learned a new move and had won! She threw herself into Ash's arms, who brought her in close. Drops of water fell onto her head as Ash gave her a hug. Kindle sniffed, she smell salt. Ash was crying. Kindle cocked her head, she understood that Pokemon didn't die where he came from, but wasn't he happy that they won? That Yveltal guy said Ash could go back home after he beat the league, and they were one step closer now! She licked Ash, and he looked down at her.
"I'm glad you're okay," He whispered, "I was so worried."
Kindle heard someone clapping. She looked over Ash's shoulder, over at the spectator seats. There was a familiar man in a shredded red leather jacket. He was slow clapping, his greasy black hair pulled back and reflective sunglasses covering his eyes. There was a smirk on his face as he clapped. He placed two fingers next to his temple, giving her a small salute and she growled at Yveltal. The salute seemed more like an insult than complement. She looked at Ash to see if he noticed, but by the time she looked back Yveltal was gone.
"You and your Fennekin have shown me a whole new depth of field! Fantastic! Just fantastic!" Viola said, smiling, "The way you battled was just fantastic! This was your first gym battle, yet you showed skills of a seasoned trainer! You went out of your way to keep your Pokemon unharmed, which allowed you to take the victory! Fantastic!" She handed her two Pokeballs to Vince, who gave her a small case. She held the case out to Ash, "Here is your badge case, and this is the Bug Badge, proof that you beat me!" She paused, thinking, and she grabbed something else from Vince, "This is TM83," It was a small disk like object in a protective cover, "It contains the move Infestation, use it well."
Ash slipped the badge into the case, slipping the case and disk into his bag. He had no idea what a TM was, but he wasn't focused on that. His hat seemed to hide his tears from Viola as she went on about their 'fantastic' battle.
This battle was much shorter ingame, basically with Aura spamming Gust with the Surskit and Kindle spamming Ember with Vivillon. Though the Water Sport was a bit annoying in game, the battle was still easy. I just decided to spice up the battle for the story, mixing my own imagination with the game and anime style battles.