Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon
Chapter Seven
After defeating Morty, Ash and co. left Ecruteak City. Arriving in Mahogany Town, Ash decided that the group would spend the night there and that he would train with Kirlia. Ash worked hard with Kirlia in order to perfect his psychic abilities. At first, Kirlia lifted small pebbles. Then, Kirlia was lifting big rocks. By the end of the night, Kirlia was able to levitate Ash for a few minutes before getting tired.
"I'm really proud of you Kirlia!"
"Thanks master! Is it okay that I'm tired now?"
"Sure it is! Let's get some sleep and then we should make it to Blackthorn City tomorrow."
"Okay."
With that, Ash and Kirlia went down to the bedroom that Ash shared with Brock. During the night, Ash once more had a strange dream. Once more, it centered around a Lucario and a Rypherior. This time, the Lucario was leading Ash through what appeared to be a cave or a mountain. The floor was tilted upwards so Ash assumed they were going up. Behind them, Ash could hear roaring and what sounded like a drill. All of a sudden, Ash tripped and fell. The Lucario took a protective stance and waited. Seconds later, a Rhyperior charged towards the injured Ash. Lucario protected Ash with various attacks. Rhyperior fought back. Ash continued sitting on the ground, helpless to stop the violence. Neither pokémon was giving in, but they both looked tired. Finally, Rypherior was able to move past Lucario's defenses and charged at Ash, drill spinning. Just as the Rypherior was about to put a hole in Ash, he awoke to bright sunlight streaming into the room through windows.
"Rise and shine Ash. Time to head out."
"Okay Brock."
The two breakfasted in the Mahogany Pokémon Center. The group then headed out to Blackthorn City for Ash's next coin. The trek took most of the day because they kept getting lost in the Ice Path. It didn't help that Ash kept slipping on the slick, slippery surface. By the time the quartet made it out of the Ice Path, it was dark outside and Ash was covered in bruises. The group did not notice that a blonde pokémon ranger started following then once they exited the cave. The group plus their stalker made it to Blackthorn City just in time for dinner. Ash and Brock had dinner in the cafeteria while the pokémon also ate. Jackie sat up camp outside the pokémon center and called Gowly to appraise him of the situation.
"Finally, Mr. Walker, some good news."
"Sorry about the earlier incident with Team Rocket, sir."
"Not your fault, Mr. Walker. Though I do wish you'd think with what's upstairs rather than what's downstairs."
"Sir!"
Gowly chuckled to himself. "Sorry Mr. Walker. Couldn't help myself. Now then, stay on top of Ash. I have a feeling that Team Rocket show up eventually. Do not reveal yourself unless absolutely necessary. Understand?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. Hop to it." Gowly hung up with a click before Jackie was able to respond.
The next day, Ash and Brock awoke refreshed after sleeping in a bed. No nightmares plagued Ash this night. Jackie awoke with his back and neck hurting but he sucked it up and focused on his mission.
The quarter (and Jackie) headed out to the gym so Ash could challenge Clair for the dragon coin. Clair didn't say a word when Ash walked in; she just strode to her side of the field. Ash then moved to his side as Brock moved to the stands. Jackie watched through a window. The referee walked to his box and gave the rules.
"This will be a three on three match. Neither side is allowed substitutions. The match will end once all three pokémon on one side have been defeated."
"Go Dragonite!"
"I choose you, Glalie."
"Smart choice Ash. Ice type moves deal quadruple damage to my Dragonite. Good thing I've got that covered. Use flamethrower!"
"Counter with ice beam!"
The two elemental beams were neck and neck. Neither side was giving an inch. Both Ash and Clair were worried. If ice beam overpowered flamethrower, the results would be catastrophic for Dragonite. The opposite was true if flamethrower won out. Clair, who was more of an action person anyways, broke the tie in her own unique way.
"Dragonite. End the flamethrower. Then, fly up and use draco meteor!"
"Dodge with double team!"
Dragonite shut off his flames, spread his wings, and flew straight up. He then proceeded to ready a draco meteor. Dragonite finally released his attack just as the number of Glalies multiplied. The different meteors managed to hit all of the Glalie that Dragonite could saw. However, the real Glalie was unharmed.
"Dragonite, watch out!"
"Use ice beam!"
From beneath Dragonite, Glalie emerged and shot an ice beam at point blank range. Momentarily stunned, Dragonite came crashing down to the floor. It was unknown whether the ice beam or the crash knocked out Dragonite.
"Dragonite is unable to battle. The winner is Glalie."
"Very nicely done Ash. Let's try this pokémon. Go Druddigon! Use brick break!"
"Dodge and use ice beam!"
"Stop that ice beam with dragon pulse. Now follow up with another brick break!"
Druddigon came out of its pokéball running with one claw glowing. Glalie jumped out of Druddigon's path and used ice beam. As the cold energy rushed at Druddigon, it charged up a dragon pulse and released it. The dragon pulse absorbed the ice beam which resulted in a massive explosion. Using the smoke as a cover, Druddigon readied another brick break and attacked Glalie who didn't notice the attack until it was too late. Taking a brick break to the head, coupled with the earlier damage from its battle with Dragonite, Glalie was knocked out.
"Glalie is unable to battle. The winner is Druddigon."
"Good job Glalie. Return. Let's go, Staraptor! Start strong with brave bird!"
"Dodge and use dragon pulse!"
A blue and red aura surrounded Ash's Sinnoh flying type as it descended on Druddigon. Druddigon was able to dodge in time and launched a dragon pulse at Staraptor's back. The attack sent Staraptor hurtling at the nearby wall. Staraptor managed to recover quickly and flew back to Ash's side of the field.
"Now use aerial ace to get close and then follow up with close combat."
"Let it come close and then wait for my command."
Staraptor took off at lightning fast pace and flew straight at Druddigon. After slamming into Clair's dragon, Staraptor readied its wings and claws for close combat. However, just before Staraptor attacked her dragon, Clair issued the command that Druddigon had been waiting for.
"Use outrage at point blank range!"
A red aura surrounded Druddigon who then smashed into Staraptor repeatedly. The powerful dragon attack proved too much for Staraptor who fell to the ground with swirls over its eyes.
"Staraptor is unable to battle. The winner is Druddigon."
"Return Staraptor. You were great. Now let's go, Gible! Use dragon pulse!"
"Counter with your dragon pulse, Druddigon!"
Ash is running a huge risk. Brock thought to himself. Dragons strong against other dragons which means they're also weak to dragon attacks. Gible is smaller so it's more agile and more likely to dodge, but it's not evolved so its power is lower. Against Druddigon, who doesn't evolve, that shouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, Clair still has one more pokémon, and I'm pretty sure I know what that pokémon is and it is fully evolved. I hope Ash knows what he's doing. These battles are getting harder each time.
"Good job Gible. Use dig!"
"Charge another dragon pulse and prepare to strike Gible once it appears."
"Now Gible! And use draco meteor!"
Gible erupted from beneath Druddigon who was sent flying up into the air. Shocked, Druddigon ended up swallowing his own dragon pulse which caused massive damage. Gible's comets then sent the poor dragon hurtling back down to the ground. Druddigon landed in a massive crater and once the smoke cleared, everyone could see how Druddigon was laying on the ground unconscious.
"Druddigon is unable to battle. The winner is Gible."
"Return Druddigon. Good job Ash. You managed to defeat a newly evolved pokémon and a new pokémon. Now let's see if you can defeat one of my most reliable pokémon. Go Kingdra! Start off with a dragon pulse."
"Dodge Gible and use dig!"
Kingdra fired up a dragon pulse and sent it hurtling towards Gible who jumped out of the way and burrowed its way under the ground.
"Kingdra, use dragon pulse on the hole that Gible just dug. We'll flush him out and then follow up with draco meteor!"
"Gible! No!"
Gible jumped out of the ground to avoid being hit by the dragon pulse only to be slammed by the comets that Kingdra summoned. The force of the attack sent Gible flying back towards the hole that it just exited. No one could see Gible so it was uncertain if Gible had survived. Just as the referee was about to raise his flag, a white light could be seen from the whole. Seconds later, a Gabite emerged from the hole and jumped onto the field.
"Yes! You evolved Gabite! Now use draco meteor once more!"
This time Kingdra was struck by Gabite's comets and was knocked out.
"Kingdra is unable to battle. The winner is Gabite. Clair is out of usable pokémon so the winner of the match is the challenger!"
"Congratulations Ash! You've beaten me once more. As proof of your victory, I present to you the Dragon Coin."
"Yay! We just won a Dragon Coin!"
"We did it, Master!"
"Good job, Pikapi!"
As Ash was posing with his new coin, Brock came down from the stands to congratulate him. Finally, the group left the gym and made their way to the Blackthorn Pokémon Center. There, Ash gave his pokémon to Nurse Joy so that she could heal them. In the meantime, Ash and Brock decided on their next destination.
"We can head down south via Route 45 and 46. Then we head east via Route 29. That should take us to New Bark Town. From there, we can catch a ferry to Slateport in Hoenn. Then we'll have to walk to Petalburg."
"Sounds like a plan. Now I just gave to exchange pokémon with Professor Oak. Let's see, Pikachu and Kirlia stay no matter what. Infernape and Heracross should defeat Norman. Glalie and Pikachu have the advantage over Winona. That's five. I need one more."
"How about Charizard?"
"How come?"
"Winona is a master of aerial battles. You might need a pokémon who can fly in order to battle her in the air."
"Okay then. Charizard it is then."
"Paging Mr. Ash Ketchum to the desk. Your pokémon are ready for pick up." Nurse Joy announced over the PA system.
"Guess it's time to make that exchange."
"Here you go!"
"Thanks Nurse Joy!"
And so Ash went down to the exchange machine and called up Professor Oak. After exchanging pleasantries and exchanging pokémon, Oak updated Ash on Gary's progress.
"He now has five coins, so you're only one behind. Don't worry Ash, you'll catch up before the Cup."
"You're right Professor. I'll meat Gary at the Cup and crush him!"
"Way to have confidence Ash but don't underestimate my grandson. He's been researching while you've been training, but he has decent experience."
"Okay Professor. I can't wait until we battle."
"Me neither. Your mom and I have already bought tickets to see it all live so we'll be there. Don't disappoint."
"I won't Professor. Bye!"
"Bye Ash."
And so Ash and Brock decided to spend the night at the center before departing for New Bark Town the next day.
_Line Break_
"Hello Domino."
"Greetings Giovanni."
The boss of Team Rocket and the elite officer were meeting in Giovanni's personal office. Some wine had been poured out for the two villains.
"So Gowly thinks that Ash is the child of the prophecy. Hmm."
"What prophecy Giovanni?"
"A prophecy that can summon the most powerful pokémon in the world to this dimension. It requires a child who is pure of heart and strong. Gowly knows that Ash is pure of heart and he's obviously a child. The point of the Cup is to see if Ash is powerful."
"So if Ash wins, Gowly can summon out the powerful pokémon?"
"You're half right my dear. If Ash wins, I'll summon out the powerful pokémon."
"You can perform the ritual?"
"Of course. This is actually good news. The pokéballs that Namba created failed. But, we're still going to the Cup. Stealing pokémon will be a distraction from our two main objectives."
"What are they?"
"First, we must get the boy. Domino, I want you to track him. Don't let that ranger know you're there. Just make sure the boy stays in one piece so that he can prove himself. If he wins the Cup, you need to stick close so you can abduct him while the grunts try to steal pokémon. Once you have him secure on a chopper, we can evacuate back to HQ so I can perform the ritual."
"What's the second objective?"
"Our second objective my dear, is to prevent anyone else from performing the ritual."
"But there are billions of people on this planet. How can we possibly stop all of them? And how will going to the Commissioner's Cup achieve this?"
"Quite simple my dear. Apart from me, only Gowly knows of the ritual. Cynthia may know the general ideas since she's an expert in mythology, but only Gowly and myself know the exact ritual."
"So all we have to do is prevent Gowly from getting the boy and performing the ritual? But how do we do that?
"Once again, quite simple my dear. Our first objective is to secure Ash and bring him here so I can perform the ritual. Our second objective is a failsafe as well as a bonus. If we are unable to get the boy, then we need insurance that Gowly cannot perform the ritual and summon out that pokémon. That pokémon can and will bring an end to Team Rocket."
"It's that strong?"
"It is. That's where the second objective comes in." Giovanni paused and took a sip of his wine. He then turned around to stare out the window. With his back to Domino, Giovanni continued his monologue. "Our second objective will be to kill Gowly."