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Here's chapter 25 I hope you enjoy.
In conversations:
'- Translation of Poké Speech – No human unless otherwise stated can understand it. Ash can get the gist of what his Pokémon are saying due to his close bond with them.
"- Human speech
' - Thoughts'
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
Salem looked at the smirk on Ash's face and was slightly surprised. She'd seen intense looks on his face before his battles against Wattson and Brawly but there was something different this time. She knew Ash and Gary shared a bitter rivalry that was formed many years ago as he had told her several stories about their encounters in the past. Starting from the incident with the Pokéball to their battle in the Silver Conference. So it was obvious that he'd want to beat him but the look on his face told her that something else was making him want to beat Gary.
"Ash I can tell that you want to beat Gary for some reason other than the rivalry." Salem said.
Ash stiffened as she said this and looked down trying to think of something to say. It was times likes this that he hated how despite the fact that they had only been together a short while they knew how to read each other perfectly. He met her gaze again and briefly considered telling her the truth but decided against that as it would just upset her
"It is just because of our rivalry." he muttered.
Salem looked down saddened that he would tell her such a blatant lie. She looked back up at him sadly.
"Please Ash don't insult my intelligence." Salem whispered.
Ash saw the sad look in her eyes and heard the pain in hurt voice, both of which made him feel terrible for being the one to cause that. He held her hands and looked straight into her eyes.
"I'm sorry Salem, the truth is Gary said some things about you and I just want revenge."
She was curious about what Gary had said that made Ash act like this.
"What did he say?"
"Well the thing that really made me mad was when he said that you were um pretty trashy."
Ash watched as Salem quickly registered what he had said and a look of pure rage appeared on her face.
"He said what?! Where the fuck is he?!" Salem growled.
'Holy shit it's like having another Misty. Note to self don't piss off Salem.'
Ash released his grip on Salem's hands and pulled her into a hug. The feeling of Ash's arms around her calmed Salem down and she returned the embrace.
"Come on let's beat him first and then you can beat the hell out of him if you want to."
Salem nodded and after braking the hug they both walked back towards the battlefield.
Ash and Salem took their places on the battlefield opposite Leaf and Gary. They looked at Gary and saw that he had an incredibly cocky smirk on his face which made both trainers vow to wipe the smirk off his face. An excited smile formed on Ash's face, he was looking forward to this match more than almost any other battle he'd fought. He couldn't wait to show Gary up and this time he wouldn't use Charizard so Gary couldn't use that as an excuse as he had done after their match at the Silver Conference.
"This match is between Ash Ketchum and Salem Ashni against Gary Oak and Leaf Green. Each trainer has two Pokémon, the first team to have all of their Pokémon knocked out loses."
All four of the trainers took a Pokéball off their belts.
"Sableye to the battlefield."
"Chu charge into battle."
"Watch and learn Ashy-boy, go Scizor."
"Bellossom come on out."
The quartet of Pokémon appeared on the battlefield and got ready to battle. Scizor saw Ash and temporarily had a look of fear in his eyes but it was quickly replaced with confidence when he saw that the Charizard that so easily beaten him before was nowhere to be seen.
"Scizor use X-Scissor on Sableye."
"Bellossom Razor Leaf."
"Block the leaves was Counter Shield."
"Stop Scizor's attack with Night Slash then use Dark Pulse."
Bellossom released several leaves which swirled around her body, she fired them at Chu who had gotten on her back and was spinning while firing a Thunderbolt. The leaves hit the electricity and were either deflected away or they burnt into ashes. Meanwhile Scizor crosses his arms in front of him and they started glowing, he then flew straight at Sableye. The Darkness Pokémon channelled dark energy into his claws which turned them pitch black. As soon as Scizor was inches away from Sableye he slashed at the Darkness Pokémon but he was stopped by Sableye who had grabbed his arms. Scizor tried to free himself from Sableye's grip but he wasn't budging. A black aura then surrounded Sableye and he released it as a dark wave of energy. Bellossom was quick to leap away from the dark energy however Scizor was not so lucky due to Sableye still having a tight grip on him. The darkness engulfed Scizor however he wasn't that effected due to his steel typing. Sableye could see that he attack wasn't doing much so he released his grip on Scizor. Without Sableye holding on to him Scizor was forced back by the Dark Pulse until he slammed into the stadium wall.
"Use Bullet Punch on Sableye."
"Hit Raichu with Petal Dance."
"Form a couple of Shadow Ball's and throw them at Scizor."
"Use Thunderbolt on Bellossom then hit her with an Iron Tail."
Scizor quickly pulled himself out of the wall and shot towards Sableye as his claws turned a metallic silver colour. As he saw the bug approaching him Sableye started forming two orbs of black energy. However before he could complete them Scizor started to strike him with a barrage of body blows. Sableye tried his best to ignore the pain and focus on finishing the Shadow Ball's but he couldn't quite block out the pain so he decided to just fire what he had managed to create. The two orbs slammed point blank into Scizor and created an explosion that sent both of them crashing into the stadium wall.
Meanwhile a tornado of pink petals were released from the flowers on Bellossom's head and she fired the petals at Chu. The mouse quickly responded by shooting a bolt of electricity at the tornado. The bolt of electricity pushed through the centre of the tornado and shocked Bellossom badly making her give out a small pained scream. The grass type managed to keep her concentration though and made sure that the remainder of her Petal Dance hit Chu. The mouse cried out in pain but quickly pushed through the pain and ran at Bellossom as her tail turned metallic. Chu swung her tail at Bellossom slamming into her side and sending the grass type skidding back to Leaf. Bellossom managed to get back up but everyone could see sparks of electricity circling around her showing that she had been paralysed by Chu.
"Volt Tackle on Bellossom."
"Jump on Raichu's back and use Night Slash on Bellossom."
Sableye jumped on to Chu's back and his claws turned pitch black. Once she was sure that Sableye had a tight grip on her, Chu started running at Bellossom as her body became surrounded in electricity. Leaf looked worriedly at Bellossom who was suffering due to the paralysis.
"Gary help Bellossom." Leaf pleaded.
Gary looked from Sableye and Chu to Bellossom and finally Scizor.
"Sorry Leaf but I'm not risking Scizor to save your Bellossom. Scizor fly away from them.
Leaf's eyes widened in shock as she listened to Gary and watched Scizor abandon Bellossom. She then looked across at Ash and Salem who were smirking at Gary which confused her.
"Switch target." Ash and Salem said.
Chu nodded and started running at Scizor, when she got close Chu leapt in the air and rammed into the bug. Sableye then jumped off of Chu's back and slashed Scizor with his claws which were pitch black. Scizor cried out in pain at electricity coursing through his veins and he plummeted to the ground. The bug slammed into the ground and struggled to push himself to his knees.
"Finish him with Iron Tail." Salem called.
Chu shot across the ground towards Scizor and her tail turned metallic. Once she was mere inches away she jumped and then brought her tail down on Scizor's head. The bug's eyes rolled back and he fell forward landing flat on his face. The referee knelt down to look at Scizor and could see that the bug had fainted but before he could say anything Ash had ordered Sableye to use Night Slash. Sableye started running towards the paralysed grass type and his claws turned pitch black again.
"Please stop your attack. I forfeit Bellossom."
Sableye stopped in place and he looked back at Ash who nodded at him. The dark type then walked back to Ash and stood in front of him. They both watched as Leaf let out a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully at them.
"Thank you Ash." Leaf said.
"No problem Leaf." he replied.
Ash smiled back at Leaf and gave her a thumbs up which made the girl from Pallet Town blush. She hadn't seen Ash for a few years and she was only now seeing how handsome he had become since they last met.
"Bellossom has been forfeited. Gary and Leaf choose your final Pokémon." the referee said bringing everyone's attention back to the battle.
Leaf wasted no time returning Bellossom and quickly took another Pokéball off her belt and threw it. After seeing how powerful Ash was she knew she had to use this one or they'd definitely lose.
"Come on out Electibuzz"
Everyone looked at Gary who was still deep in shock that his Scizor had been taken down.
"Hey Gare-Bear hurry up we don't have all day." Ash taunted.
Gary was pissed off at the patronising tone Ash was using and that he was calling him that damn nickname. He glared at Ash as he grabbed a poke ball and threw it.
"Blastoise let's shut that loser up."
Ash smirked as his plan of angering Gary had easily worked as he'd expected it would. He looked at Sableye and Chu both of whom looked exhausted, he shared a glance with Salem and they both returned them. Salem quickly pulled a Pokéball off her belt and Ash looked down at the mouse next to him.
"Rai to the battlefield."
"Jolteon charge into battle."
Had Gary used any other Pokémon Ash would have chosen Butterfree instead of Rai but he knew how good Blastoise was after their match in the Silver Conference and Ash would not underestimate him.
"Me and Jolteon will take Blastoise."
Ash was reluctant to let her battle Blastoise but he had faith in her and Jolteon.
"Ok go for it."
"Jolteon Thunderbolt."
"Rapid Spin."
Jolteon charged a large amount of electricity and channelled it into a bolt that shot towards Blastoise who had withdrawn into his shell and started spinning. Ash knew what was going to happen and wasn't surprised to see the Thunderbolt hit Blastoise and get deflected away, Salem was shocked that Jolteon's Thunderbolt had been stopped so easily and now had to think of a new tactic to deal with Blastoise.
"My turn, Blastoise Hydro Pump."
"Jolteon shoot a Thunderbolt into the water."
Blastoise aimed his cannons at Jolteon and shot two incredibly powerful blasts of water at Jolteon. The electric Eeveelution watched the water headed her way and tried to generate another Thunderbolt however she didn't have enough time to charge the power needed to fire the attack. Without anything stopping it the water crashed into Jolteon and she was shot across the arena finally coming to a stop when she slammed into the wall. The attack didn't stop there though as she continued to be blasted by water. Meanwhile Rai and Electibuzz were exchanging Thunderbolt's with Rai eventually hitting but not having a massive effect on his fellow electric type.
"Electibuzz Thunderpunch."
"Match him and then use Brick Break."
Electibuzz's fist crackled with electricity and he charged towards Rai who's fist was also crackling. They both threw their right fist forward and their punches clashed appearing to be perfectly even. Rai seeing this as his opportunity starting focussing a Brick Break in his left fist. Ash watched as Rai's left fist started glowing white and he hit Electibuzz with the Brick Break making him stagger back but it didn't appear to have much effect beyond that. Electibuzz retaliated by hitting Rai with another Thunderpunch which knocked him back but he remained standing.
Ash was about to tell Rai to go back on the attack when he saw Jolteon out of the corner of his eye. The attack from Blastoise had finally finished and she had fallen to the ground but had managed to get back to her feet. After taking a close look at her it was obvious to him that she really hadn't taken the Hydro Pump well and was struggling to stand. He thought about what he could do to help Jolteon and quickly came up with an idea.
"Rai use Thunderbolt on Jolteon."
Gary looked confused at the idea of Ash attacking his team mate but what he didn't know was that Jolteon's ability was Volt Absorb. They watched as a bolt of electricity shot off of Rai to Jolteon, the electricity hit Jolteon she felt her strength returning and she stood back on the battlefield feeling almost as good as new. However helping out Jolteon had given Leaf time to form a plan and she initiated it.
"Grab hold of Raichu's tail then throw him into the air and use Focus Blast."
Before Ash had a chance to give any orders Electibuzz had shot across the battlefield and grabbed on to Rai's tail. Electibuzz then used all of his strength to throw Rai as high as he could. The throw sent Rai flying and Electibuzz was now charging a blue orb between his hands. Ash looked from Rai to Electibuzz and knew he had only one choice that would give Rai a chance to not take a lot of damage.
"Rai Hyper Beam."
The mouse quickly formed an orange orb in his mouth and when he saw Electibuzz throw the blue orb he fired an immensely powerful orange beam from the orb. The blue orb clashed with the orange beam and at first they looked to be even however Rai's Hyper Beam gradually pushed the Focus Blast back until the attack was returned to sender. The Focus Blast slammed into Electibuzz's chest knocking him to the ground, this gave him no chance to dodge the Hyper Beam which hit him and shrouded him in a cloud of smoke.
When the smoke finally cleared it revealed an unconscious Electibuzz who was covered in cuts and bruises. Everyone in the stadium was amazed at the incredible strength Rai had just displayed and because of that they had forgotten that he had been in the air. The only person who was still focussed on Rai was Ash who stood there unable to do anything but watch as Rai was suffering from the recharge due to him using Hyper Beam. Rai tried moving his limbs but he couldn't gather the strength so he had no way of preventing himself from crashing into the battlefield . Ash looked worriedly at where Rai had fallen but was relieved when he saw him get up quickly still looking ready to battle however he did look exhausted.
Leaf took this moment to return Electibuzz which gave Ash and Salem a little bit of time to come up with a strategy to beat Gary. Gary watched the two of them intently and saw Ash whisper one last thing into Salem's ear before they both turned their gaze back to him. Gary didn't know what they'd discussed and their faces weren't giving anything away but it would make no difference as he would knock them out no matter what they tried.
"Jolteon use Charge."
"Rai Volt Tackle."
"Rapid Spin again."
Rai became surrounded in electricity and charged towards Blastoise who had quickly withdrawn into his shell again and started spinning. Jolteon watched as Rai rushed at Blastoise wanting to help but Salem had given her a command and she would follow it so she channelling electricity in her body to increase her power. Moments later Rai and Blastoise collided and Rai came off far worse as he was sent crashing back to Ash landing in a heap. The referee was on the verge of calling out that Rai had fainted when the mouse managed to push himself to his feet however it was obvious that he was on his last legs. Gary stood looking smug as can be as the battered mouse got back up.
"Ha I knew you were weak Ketchum and without that Charizard you're nothing. Blastoise get rid of Raichu with Hydro Pump."
Gary laughed expecting to see a drenched mouse but was confused when no attack came. He looked at Blastoise who wasn't moving and was wondering why he hadn't done anything when he spotted some sparks coming off of Blastoise. Gary knew what the problem was and he knew what had caused it, he looked to Ash and Salem who were now smirking at him. It was a smirk similar to the one he had worn moments ago.
"As I'm sure you've guessed Rai's ability is Static and you fell for the plan Gary."
Gary looked down, he knew that it was over now and got Blastoise's Pokéball ready.
"Finish Blastoise with Thunderbolt." Ash and Salem said.
Large bolts of lightning shot off of Rai and Jolteon, the attacks fused together which created one massive Thunderbolt which sped straight at the paralysed water Pokémon. Blastoise watched the attack headed his way and tried to move to dodge the attack but the Static had taken effect and he was immobilized giving him no option but to stand there and take the super powered Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt hit Blastoise and due to the immense power from the combined attack he was knocked out instantly.
"Blastoise is unable to battle, Ash Ketchum and Salem Ashni will advance to the next round."
After hearing the referee call the match Rai fell forward as the damage he had sustained during the battle finally sapped the last of his strength. Ash walked on to the battlefield alongside Salem and after kneeling down he picked up Rai who gave him a weary smile. Ash got back to his feet and saw Leaf and Gary in front of him, he looked to his right and saw Salem glaring at Gary.
"Listen Ash I'm really sor..." Gary was cut off by a stinging slap to his face.
Gary staggered back and held his cheek which was bright red and throbbing. He looked at Salem who was still glaring at him angrily presumably because Ash had told her what he had said about her.
"So do you still think I'm trashy?" Salem growled angrily.
Gary looked down guiltily as he was now starting to regret saying what he said and not just because his cheek was killing him now.
"I'm sorry Salem. It was wrong of me to say that."
"You're damn right it was." Ash replied.
"Why did you change Gary? You, me and Ash were so close until the last year in the trainer school." Leaf said.
Gary turned his gaze from the ground to Leaf and Ash. After a moments though he shook his head and started walking towards the tunnel that lead out of the stadium. Leaf went to follow him but was stopped by Ash's hand on her shoulder. She looked back at him and he shook his head. Leaf sighed and then nodded in agreement. They both looked at the tunnel as Gary finally left their sight.
"I wish we knew why he turned on us." Leaf said.
"So do I Leaf. Maybe someday he'll tell us but that's not gonna be today. "
Ash then smiled at Leaf and after gently placing Rai on the ground he extended his left arm while making a fist.
"Do you remember this?" Ash asked.
Leaf smiled at Ash and copied the action.
"Yeah you, me and Gary made this up on my eighth birthday. We were The Shield." Leaf remarked.
"We still are. We don't need Gary."
Leaf nodded and looked at their extended fists.
"Sierra." Leaf started.
She looked at Ash hoping he'd join in and was relieved when he smiled back at her.
"Hotel. India. Echo. Lima. Delta. Shield." they both said.
Ash and Leaf started laughing and they knew that everyone must be looking at them wondering what the hell they were doing but they didn't care. Ash then spotted Salem looking at them and had an idea.
"Hey Leaf how do you feel about swapping Gary out for Salem?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Salem come here please."
Salem nodded and gave them both a smile. She quickly stood next to Ash and like him and Leaf extended her left arm.
"Now we're The Shield." Ash said.
Leaf and Salem shared a look and smiled. They both saw Ash remove his fist and were then pulled close to him. Although they were surprised by the action they quickly returned the embrace. The trio broke the hug and Ash picked up Rai and he started walking towards the stands closely followed by Salem and Leaf. They walked over to Misty and Brock taking a seat next to them however the two gym leaders had to leave as their match was about to start. Ash placed Rai on one of seats near him and chuckled when he saw Chu frantically checking him over. Rai tried to reassure her that he was fine but it didn't stop her from worrying.
'How long is it gonna be until those two finally confess?' Ash thought.
He turned his attention back to leaf and Salem who had also been watching Rai and Chu.
"So Leaf why were you with Gary?" Ash asked.
"Well he called me thanks to my mother giving him my number and asked me to tag with him in a tournament. I had just beaten Roxanne and was about to start the journey to Dewford however I thought this would be the perfect chance to try and find out why Gary had changed. So I agreed and after we met up I tried to find out why he changed but no matter what I did or asked he simply ignored me unless we were battling."
"You did the right thing Leaf. In your place I'd have done the same thing." Salem said.
"Me too." Ash added.
"Thank you guys, I appreciate that. By the way that was one of the best battles I've ever had."
"Yeah it was a tough match." Salem replied.
The trio stopped chatting when they heard attacks started being launched, they turned their gaze to the battlefield and watched as Misty and Brock demolished their opponents. Misty and Brock then quickly made their way back to Ash, Salem and Leaf.
After the last match of the round took place Ash and Brock left the stands and headed towards the tournament board to fins out who their next opponents would be.
Notes
Next chapter we'll have the final and you'll find out what the prize for winning is.
Thanks for reading this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.
Please give a review telling me what you liked/didn't like.
If you have any questions I am more than happy to answer them.
Ash:
Kanto - Raichu, Meowth, Ivysaur, Wartortle, Charizard, Pidgeot, Kingler, Muk, Tauros(x24), Snorlax, Sandshrew & Eevee (Shiny)
Johto - Totodile, Meganium, Cyndaquil, Heracross, Noctowl (Shiny), Phanpy, Tyrogue & Sneasel
Hoenn - Marshtomp, Nincada, Treecko, Zangoose, Sableye & Ralts
Sinnoh - Monferno
Kalos - Meowstic
Pokémon on hand – Raichu, Meowth, Meowstic, Heracross, Kingler, Sableye, Tyrogue, Butterfree, Ralts & Eevee
Salem:
Kanto - Raichu & Jolteon
Johto - Chinchou & Mareep
Hoenn - Plusle & Minun
Sinnoh - Luxray
Unova - Zebstrika & Galvantula
Pokémon on hand – Raichu, Galvantula, Jolteon, Luxray, Plusle & Minun