Chapter 5: Rival's Forever
"Torterra standby for battle." Paul threw his Pokeball which released the heavy weight grass and ground type.
"Krookodile I choose you!" Ash yelled throwing his own ball revealing the fearsome bipedal reptile.
"You have the honour Paul." Ash let his rival have the first move.
"Very well, Torterra use Leaf Storm." Paul commanded.
The tree on Torterra's back glowed and let forth a bright green twister of leafs towards Krookodile.
"Defend with Stone Edge." Ash reacted.
Krookodile became surrounded in white lights which formed into sharp rocks that were propelled towards the incoming Leaf Storm. As the rocks collided they detonated and blasted away the incoming attack stopping both moves cold.
"Don't let up use Frenzy plant." Paul yelled.
Torterra smashed his front legs into the ground making huge sharp vines rip out of the ground into the air which then descended towards Krookodile."
"Dodge all of them." Ash instructed.
Krookodile acknowledged with a nod watching each large vine descend towards him. With quick movements Krookodile moved forward as the first vines smashed into the ground. By moving forward Krookodile was using the vines that had already crashed as cover for the ones above him, and with each one that missed made it harder for him to be hit by the remaining vines. Torterra's attack ceased and the vines retracted into the ground, Ash knew he had an opening now after Frenzy Plant.
"Krookodile use Stone Edge again." Ash started his assault.
Krookodile summoned the rocks around him and launched them at the immobile Torterra. As the stones detonated along his body Torterra barely flinched showing his hardy defences.
"You'll need more than an ineffective attack such as that to break through Torterra." Paul mocked. "Frenzy Plant again." He shouted.
Ash watched Torterra rear up again and knew what Paul was trying to do. He was attempting to lead Krookodile into close range in order to deliver a critical hit, if Paul wanted to get in close Ash would do just that.
"Krookodile dodge backwards this time." Ash called out.
Krookodile back stepped in time for each one to miss harmlessly. Ash didn't want to risk doing the same move twice but there was more chance of getting hit this way a problem that presented itself when one vine rose a lot higher than the others.
"Heads up watch out for that last one." Ash yelled making Krookodile eye the fast approaching vine.
"Cut it with Dragon Claw." Ash reacted.
Krookodile's three fingers glowed and as the last vine raced towards him he jumped hand first bisecting the vine in half, as Krookodile went up and the vine raced down. With the attack now over the vine retracted and Krookadile remained in mid-air bearing over Torterra.
"Go in with Crunch." Ash thrust his arm down.
Krookodile narrowed his body and dived head first with jaws wide open while Torterra braced for impact. Krookodile collided hard on Torterra's neck driving the large Pokémon into the ground but Ash ordered Krookodile off quickly knowing what came next.
"Use Earthquake." Paul smirked as Torterra reared up again but this time on collision sent the entire ground shaking and soon started collapsing and breaking in Krookodile's direction.
Ash reacted quickly to the ground level threat "Run forward and use Aerial Ace!" Ash shouted over the shaking earth.
With that Krookodile charged forward building up energy in the face of the ground tearing itself apart in front of him. Before he was engulfed Krookodile leapt into the air arms outstretched propelled like a rocket just above the ground avoiding the sharp edged earth that had threatened him. Paul and Torterra both recoiled at seeing such a large creature glide through the air like a jet, too late to counter as Krookodile rammed into Torterra with such force it caused the incredibly heavy Pokémon to be launched backwards before crashing into a tree breaking it on impact. Torterra rose weakly to his feet more dazed then injured but Paul didn't care which it was.
"Torterra get up now!" Paul spoke angrily.
Ash huffed at Paul's reaction, he still pushed his Pokémon really hard no matter what their condition and he still didn't tolerate any weakness. Ash knew he shouldn't have been surprised but he had hoped Paul may have lightened up a little after so long.
May who was not accustom to Paul's way of training started to get worked up at how Paul treated his Torterra, she couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor Pokémon that pushed desperately through his pain for his trainer. Paul didn't see it that way and got annoyed at how long Torterra was taking to recover.
"Torterra return." Paul grunted. "Getting taken off guard by a mediocre attack like that is unacceptable." Paul muttered making both Ash and May more uneasy.
"Here's my next Pokémon, Magmortar stand by for battle." Paul yelled as he released the round fire type.
May was now beginning to regret starting this battle, if the way Paul treated his Torterra was anything to go on it was clear he didn't treat the rest of them very well, but she had to continue.
"Next round, continue." She declared.
"Rock Tomb now." Paul commanded.
Magmortar aimed both his cannon like arms into the air and fired a series of hot rocks that arched straight towards Krookodile's position.
"Cut those with Dragon Claw." Ash countered.
Using his strong claws Krookodile eyed each rock as they fell before preciously slicing each one into three even pieces before they could hit.
"Now use Lava Plume." Paul voiced.
Magmortar thrush one arm into the ground and fired burning flames into the ground. Krookodile felt the earth beneath him heat up as he looked down a sudden blast of heat erupted upwards surrounding his body in flame. When the fire finally stopped flooding up from below Krookodile had steam coming off of him, even as a ground type the flames from Magmortar were burning hot.
"Now Toxic." Paul uttered.
Using his other arm Magmortar fired a blob of purple ooze that made direct contact with Krookodile quickly spreading over is body badly poisoning him.
Ash knew Krookodile was in a lot more danger with that level of poison in his system and reluctantly recalled him.
"You were doing really well there Krookodile now take a rest." Ash smiled as he reached for his next Pokémon.
"This will do perfectly, Greninja I choose you!" Ash shouted releasing the swift and agile blue frog.
Greninja landed gracefully on his hind legs and stood arms folded in front of Magmortar quietly confident in his oncoming battle.
"Let's start this off with Water Shuriken." Ash began.
Greninja formed the razor sharp water projectiles in his hands and released a barrage of lightning fast attacks.
Paul responded "Use Rock Tomb faster this time."
Magmortar stood his ground and aimed his cannons directly at Greninja. Even as the sharp shurikens sunk into his body Magmortar launched a fast round of rocks that surrounded Greninja and lowered his overall speed.
Looking trapped Ash used the water Pokémon's most powerful move.
"Use Hydro Cannon!" Ash thrust his arm forward.
Greninja reeled his head back and pushed his feet against the rocks behind him to brace for the recoil. With all his strength Greninja let loose a torrent of high pressure water that broke some of the rocks that were in its path. Magmortar raised his arms in defence as the super effective attack pounded into him. The water that washed past the fire type cut clean through the trees behind him and forced Magmortar to slide back. As Greninja finished his attack he puffed heavily from the intense move, Magmortar who had steam rising off him lowered his arms staring down his opponent. But as tough as he was there was only so much Magmortar could take, dropping to one knee and groaning heavily.
"Return Magmortar." Paul recalled his Pokémon. "You did your job I guess." Paul muttered as he reached for his final Pokémon.
"Electivire stand by for battle." Paul yelled
The large yellow Pokémon raised his fists in the air and yelled his name in anticipation for battle.
"Greninja you stay in there ok." Ash spoke confidently.
Greninja nodded and having recovered his strength stared down his opponent.
Paul smirked at Ash's decision and didn't waste any time calling the first attack. "Thunder Punch"
His fists roaring with electricity Electivire charged Greninja's position. As he swung his fist Greninja casually lent to the side avoiding the attack. Electivire wasn't too happy with Greninja's laid back attitude when faced with a super effective attack and thrust his fist straight at the ninja Pokémon. Greninja back flipped into the tree branches above Electivire to avoid the attack, now he was in his element.
"Alright Greninja get going in those trees." Ash exclaimed.
Greninja started bounding from branch to branch in a seamless motion that made in almost look like he was moving over flat ground, running circles around Electivire.
"Thunder lets go." Paul ordered.
Electivire pointed one of his two tails at the trees and shot a large bolt of electricity but Greninja proved too fast and using the different levels of branches easily dodged the attack.
"Use all your power." Paul yelled.
This time Electivire charged his entire body with electricity as he threw his arms into the air the whole tree line got covered in waves of high voltage electricity. As the attack dyed down Greninja was nowhere to be seen. Paul scanned the branches looking for the water type when he saw its hind legs sticking out from behind a tree.
"Use thunder on that branch." Paul spoke.
Electivire turned and locked onto where Paul was indicating and fired another Thunder attack, this one met its mark. However the lightning attack went right through Greninja who then evaporated into thin air, Paul's mind instantly clicked when he realised.
"A Double Team attack, so that Greninja was only a decoy." Paul murmured to himself.
"Water Shuriken." Paul heard Ash call.
Suddenly multiple Greninja's appeared in the trees. It was clear now Greninja had been setting up these decoys when he was running around and since they all moved in time with one another showed it was a very well-practiced Double Team. All the Greninja copy's armed themselves with the sharp edged water attack and threw them simultaneously. Without a way to identify the really Greninja Electivire covered his face as most hit harmlessly while a few struck him in his uncovered areas.
"Now get moving and keep using Water Shuriken." Ash instructed.
All of the Greninja copies began running in a clock wise direction and continued to throw their individual stars. Electivire continued to block but neither he nor Pal was able to identify which were real or not and the majority of those that were real got through Electivire's defences.
"Use Protect." Paul said trying to bide more time.
With the green sphere around him Electivire was shielded from the incoming attack but still couldn't pin point the really Greninja.
"Alright then use Thunder on all the trees." Paul ordered.
"Take cover Greninja." Ash countered.
The Greninja Double teams hid behind their respective branches as Electivire released a barrage of Lightning that struck each tree around him breaking most of the weaker branches and took out half the copies but Greninja himself remained unharmed.
"Use Night Slash Greninja." Ash followed up.
As the remaining duplicates jumped to the ground each one's hand glowed with a dark energy taking the form of a small blade, they rushed Electivire from all angles. Paul saw one of the copies run past him but felt a breeze pass by him as it did, a Double Team copy wouldn't have had that effect he would have felt nothing.
"Behind you use Thunder Punch." Paul yelled at Electivire.
Without hesitation Electivire turned to his six o'clock and drove one fist forward at the incoming threat, at the same time the real Greninja struck his hand forward making Night Slash and Thunder Punch clash together. Both Pokémon proved just as strong and after sparks and dark energy were sent flying, Greninja leapt back shaking any excess electricity from his hand.
"Keep moving Greninja." Ash didn't let up.
Paul was amazed that even after getting hit by Rock Tomb Greninja was still so fast, he also noticed that the water from the constant use of Water Shuriken had left the ground covered along with the morning dew, he grinned at his new plan.
"Protect Electivire." Paul narrowed his focus.
Electivire prevented any more Shuriken's from hitting him and increasing the amount of water all around the field, when his Protect wore off Ash saw to end the fight.
"Now use Hydro Cannon." He yelled.
Greninja came out from behind a tree and using it for support unleashed the overwhelming water attack. Electivire blocked and though the move wasn't super effective it was still extremely powerful forcing the electric type to slide back on his heels and wait until Greninja finished. As he did Greninja ducked behind the tree to avoid any attack but Paul had planned for this.
"Use Thunder on the ground." Paul ordered.
Electivire placed his hands on the ground and released his electrical energy that with the help of the water on the ground darted across the field hitting everything that was wet including the tree Greninja was behind. Realising to late his cover was just as wet as the ground Greninja got blasted with high voltage lightning that coursed through his body. With a cry of pain Greninja fell to his knees as sparks scattered along his form.
"Greninja are you alright?" Ash exclaimed and though Greninja fought hard to stand back up Ash knew he needed a rest.
"Return Greninja, don't worry you did great." Ash spoke warmly as he returned the hard fighting ninja.
"You should have just come at me head on like you usually do, it would have turned out this way a lot quicker." Paul mocked him.
Ash knew Paul was trying to get to him but he also knew Greninja had performed well with such a large type disadvantage, but his next Pokémon would have no such issues.
"Gabite I choose you." As released his newly evolved Dragon type.
"I'll let you have the first move." Paul smirked.
"You'll regret that." Ash smiled right back. "Gabite use Sand Tomb."
Gabite kicked up sand with his two hands and blew the particles into a small tornado that surrounded Electivire and while battering him from all sides covered his feet restricting his movements. Paul had a plan for ground types with Electivire but even so not being able to recall Electivire with Sand Tomb in play limited his options.
"Thunder in the ground." Paul countered.
Ash had seen this move before, Electivire thrush his two tails into the ground and shot his Thunder in after sending chunks of earth straight into the sky before gravity took hold and sent them spiralling back down.
"Gabite use Dig to dodge." Ash yelled having the perfect way to avoid the rocks.
Gabite dove into the ground disappearing in a cloud of dust making the falling rocks hit the earth harmlessly, Gabite himself kept digging straight towards Electivire.
"Protect now." Paul yelled out just in time.
As Gabite broke through the ground beneath Electivire the electric type just managed to deflect the attack, but Ash had planned on just that. With Electivire's shield now gone and his movement limited he was wide open for Gabite's next attack.
"Draco Meteor." Ash shouted.
Gabite reared his head back building the orange energy in his throat before firing the projectile into the air. As it rose it burst into dozens of smaller arching projectiles going right at Electivire.
"Block those with Thunder Punch." Paul responded.
As meteors rained down around him Electivire managed to deflect the first two that came his way but was struck hard by the third, Ash didn't wait for the fire storm to end.
"Move in and use Rock Smash." Ash yelled.
Gabite got in close to Electivire and swung his claw into Electivire's gut causing the surprised Pokémon to be driven up into the air only to be met with three more meteors hitting him and driving him into the ground. As the dust cleared Electivire lifted his head weakly before succumbing to his injuries, flopping onto the ground.
"Electivire is unable to battle." Gabite wins.
"Yeah nice work Gabite." Ash congratulated Gabite happily.
Paul groaned as he recalled Electivire. "Can't believe that was all it toke." He grumbled. "Torterra stand by for battle."
Torterra appeared again looking as battle ready as ever. Gabite hit hard where it counted but Ash wondered how much more it would take to knock Torterra out.
"Use Earthquake." Paul instructed.
Torterra moved quicker than Ash thought and before he knew it Gabite was being battered by the breaking earth.
"Gabite hang in there." Ash directed.
Gabite withstood the attack but toke on some heavy damage in the process.
Paul didn't let up as he called his next move. "Frenzy Plant."
Torterra called up the spiky vines that threatened to squash Gabite. "Use dig." Ash responded.
Gabite burrowed into the ground before the attack hit and continued under the vines to his destination. Before Torterra could retrace his attack Gabite accelerated out from beneath him and struck across Torterra's face getting a prolonged groan from the grass type. With still enough time Ash ordered Gabite to use Draco Meteor. While in mid-air Gabite launched the powerful Dragon attack that rained down upon Torterra causing serious damage, as Gabite landed Ash realised they were to close.
"Use Crunch." Paul took his opportunity.
Torterra blasted forward out of his smoke screen and clamped his jaws down on Gabite's leg elating a cry of pain from the dragon.
"Get out of there with Rock Smash." Ash yelled.
Gabite used both his arms and pounded on Torterra's head repeatedly trying to get Torterra to loosen his grip but the Sinnoh starter held strong and didn't let go.
"Crunch again." Paul commanded.
Torterra flipped Gabite in his mouth and this time bit down on Gabite's middle, despite his hard skin Gabite still felt the power of Torterra's jaws.
"Keep using Rock Smash." Ash tried to figure a way to free Gabite.
Not ceasing in his attack Gabite continually smashed Torterra's mouth till eventually he found the weak point. His claw hit between the ear bone and the jaw bone causing Torterra to release his grip just long enough for Gabite to slip away.
"Good job now use Draco Meteor." Ash directed.
Gabite didn't bother to fire the attack high into the air this time he spat the technique directly over Torterra, since he had such a large body and with the resulting meteors so close Torterra was hit by every single blast. The overwhelming attack covered Torterra in smoke, when it cleared the grass type lay defeated.
"Torterra is unable to battle, Gabite wins." May announced.
"You're doing great Gabite." Ash cheered.
Paul got visibly angry as the recalled Torterra. "I'll deal with you later." He hissed.
May had made up her mind about Paul, she didn't like him at all, the way he treated his Pokémon appalled her. She watched as Torterra was returned to his Pokeball, there was a look of sheer disappointment in its features and Paul didn't even acknowledge it, she couldn't accept it.
"Magmortar stand by for battle." Paul shouted.
As Magmortar materialised Paul spoke coldly to it. "Don't disappoint me."
Ash tried to ignore Paul's attitude as he recalled Gabite, he knew he had the advantage but last time he was up three to one against Paul he very nearly lost so he was playing it safe.
"Greninja I choose you." Ash released the ninja Pokémon one last time.
"Magmortar use Toxic." Paul exclaimed.
"Use Hydro Cannon." Ash responded.
Greninja was hit directly with the Toxic attack but pushed through it and unloaded his Hydro Cannon attack so fast Magmortar had no time to move. As his body was engulfed by the oncoming flood Magmortar couldn't stand his ground and was sent hurdling into the trees cracking them on impact.
"Get up now!" Paul shouted at Magmortar, but that last attack was too much Magmortar, he collapsed on the ground knocked out cold.
"Greninja wins therefore the victory goes to Ash." May declared.
Grinding his teeth Paul recalled Magmortar as Ash did the same with Greninja thanking him as he did.
"That was a great battle Paul." Ash spoke happily.
"Whatever." Paul grunted before walking back down the path.
"Hold on a sec." May yelled out making Paul stop again.
"You're not even going to be a good sport about this, even after your Pokémon gave it their best shot." May scolded him.
"Please, that was hardly their best." Paul said as he turned to face her.
"How can you say that, they followed your every order you just can't admit that Ash is the better trainer then you." May yelled.
By now Ash had run up to where May was arguing with Paul and could tell she was getting royally fired up.
"May it's alright, please just calm down." Ash laid a hand on her shoulder.
"No it isn't!" May responded as she adjusted the back of her bandana.
Now with May's hand above her head suddenly kick started Paul's memory, he finally remembered where he had seen May before.
"Now I remember." Paul stated. "I saw your photo's in a magazine." Paul let a smile creep along his face.
May was all of a sudden caught off guard and the way Paul looked at her made her uneasy, in one sentence she had been forced onto the defensive.
"Oh yeah I forgot to mention May's a model now." Ash spoke not sensing May's unease.
"Well I'll give you that much Ash." Paul said with a smirk. "Nice work on bagging a model."
May was instantly fired up all over again. "What the hell does that mean? I'm not some collector's item you jerk!" May burst out.
Ash moved in front of her and held her in place. "May calm down he's just trying to psych you out." Ash tried to calm her down. In truth Ash didn't like the way Paul was talking to her any more than she did but he had to stop her from knocking Paul's lights out.
"You might want to think about getting a leash for her." Paul uttered "Because she's acting like a model bitch."
That was it for Ash, he turned around and threw his fist straight across Paul's cheek with a heavy hook sending him crashing into the ground. May who had wanted to do the exact same thing stared at Ash's action in shock, she had never seen him react so rashly let along punch a rival straight in the face.
"Now you listen here." Ash spoke in a voice that was part anger but all deadly serious.
"You can talk down on me all day long, heck you can continue treat your own Pokémon like dirt as you still seem to do. But don't you dare disrespect May or next time I won't hold back." Ash growled.
Paul wiped his mouth and slowly got up not looking Ash nor May in the eye. "I'm out of here." He spat as he threw his backpack over his shoulders and walked away now having lost even more of his pride.
May wanted to shout him down but remained silent, she didn't want Ash to start fighting because of her. Ash waited till Paul was a fair distance away before turning to face May who looked slightly dishevelled.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"I should be asking you that." May replied.
"I was talking about what he said, are you going to be ok." Ash asked softly.
"I'll be fine Ash, I've dealt with worse." May responded.
Pikachu appeared at Ash's feet sounding worried for his friend, Ash gave a small smile as he picked him up.
"It's alright buddy, it's all over now." Ash reassured him and then turned his attention to May.
"Come on let's keep going." He spoke calmly.
May nodded wanting to leave that particular incident behind them. The two picked up there bags and continued down the road.
Hope you all enjoyed the battle. Was it what you expected? For those of you who are wondering yes there will be more battles in the story though they probably won't be as long as this one. See ya next weel