Ch 64: The final match.
It was late in the evening in Lumoise city. Most of the people inside of the Grand Chateau castle had gathered in the main battle theater. The same one Daniel Rian and Cynthia had battled in.
Sitting in the crowd were Ash and the other were sitting close to the front.
"I can't believe we finally get to see Serena battle for the title grand duchess in the same battlefield that Daniel Rian had two battles in." Red said.
"All she has to do is beat one more trainer and she'll be a Grand duchess!" Ash said.
"Don't forget, she's facing Calem. He said he's competed twice before this and thus has plenty of experience" Alex said.
"Serena's going to have her work cut out for her." Shauna said.
"She can do it , I know she can." Ash said.
"Pika Pikachu". Serena stood on one end while Calem stood on the other.
"This is it, everything we've been training for. Everything we've worked for, is right in front of us. All we have to do is win just one more time." Serena said as she took out her pokeball and held it in front of her face.
The owner of the castle stepped up to the center of the stage with a microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen the final battle of the Grand festival is about to begin. It is here the two finalists will compete for the title grand duke or grand duchess." He said as the crowd let out some applause.
"The final battle between Duchess Serena and Duke is about to begin. This battle unlike the other rounds will be a three on three match up. Once all three of a trainer's pokemon are knocked out then we have a winner. Calem, Serena choose your pokemon.
Serena raised her head at Calem with a determined look on her face.
"I choose you Trevenant!" Calem shouted as he sent out his first pokemon. The pokemon was was a massive tree like pokemon with 6 root legs , two arms and a red eyes in the center of its head.
"What is that?" Serena said opening her pokedex.
"Trevenant the Elder tree pokemon.A Ghost and Grass type, Trevenant is able to control trees. It traps those who cause harm to the forest and never lets them escape."
"I've never seen a pokemon like that before." Clemont said.
"It looks scary." Bonnie said.
"He's not scary, he's a guardian of the forest." Diancie said.
"A ghost type, well he should have an advantage then. I choose you Zoroark!" Serena shouted as she sent out her black fox pokemon. As soon as Zorark came out he transformed himself into a Trevenant.
"Zorark, he should have a type advantage." Korrina said.
"That's true, but Serena's never faced one of these pokemon before." Red said.
"Begin."
"Trevenant use Leech Seed!" Calem shouted.
"Zoroark use feint attack." Serena said. Just as Trevenant unleashed a pair of seeds, Zoroark as Trevenant covered himself in darkness and vanished.
"Phantom force." Calem said. Just as Zorark reappeared behind Trevenant, the massive ghost tree vanished.
"Oh no." Serena said.
"Where did he go?" Bonnie said.
"He could be anywhere." Shauna said.
"Zoroark get ready to move!" Serena shouted. Zoroark quickly looked around and tried to prepare himself. Moments later Trevenant reappeared behind Zoroark and unleashed ghost energy, knocking Zoroark back.
"He got Zoroark." Bonnie said.
"It's ok, ghost type movies aren't very effective against dark types." Ash said. Still Zoroark reverted back to his true form as he growled at Trevenant.
"Trevenant use Confuse Ray." . The Ghost tree's eye started glowing red as he stared at Zoroark.
"Zoroark quick use Feint attack!" Serena shouted. Zoroark surrounded himself in darkness before vanishing.
"Trevenant behind you." Calem shouted. Just as Zoroark reappeared Trevenant turned around and stared at Zoroark from an extremely close distance.
"Zoroark!" Serena shouted.
" Oh no now he's confused." Korrina said.
" Perfect, now use Wood hammer." Calem said.
"Zoroark counter with Night Slash." Serena said. Zoroark tried to find his opponent, but his confusion made it difficult to do so. Meanwhile Trevenant raised his right arm and smashed the end of his fist into Zoroark hard, hurling him back.
"Zoroark!" Serena shouted.
"Geeze Zoroark may have the advantage, but that Trevenant is well trained." Red said. Zoroark slowly got up and regained focus.
"Horn Leech!". Calem shouted. Trevenant raised his arms and charged at Zoroark.
"Zoroark use Feint attack!" Serena shouted. Zoroark vanished as a shroud of darkness surrounded him.
"He's going to appear behind you!" Calem shouted. Trevenant quickly turned around ash hurled his arms forward. But to his surprise Zoroark wasn't there.
"Venant?" Trevenant said in confusion.
"Where's Zoroark?" Bonnie asked. Moments later a cloud of Darkness appeared behind Trevenant.
"Behind you!" Calem screamed. Trevenant turned around just in time to see Zoroark slash his claws across his face. The super effective attack knocked Trevenant back enough for Zoroark to transform himself into Trevenant.
"Alright she's still in thus!" Ash shouted.
"Trevenant use Phantom force." Calem said. Trevenant vanished as Zoroark desperately looked around.
"Zoroark listen to everything around you." Serena said. Zoroark tried to listen for any kind of sound or movement around him.
However, he heard nothing. Trevenant appeared behind him and blasted him with Ghost energy. Despite the small amount of damage it did, the ghost move did distract Zoroark long enough for Trevenant to smash his fist into Zoroark and hurl him back.
"Zoroark!" Serena shouted.
As Zoroark hit the ground he reverted back to his normal form.
"This isn't good." Grace said.
"Come on Serena, don't give up now!" Ash shouted.
"Trevenant use Phantom force." Calem shouted.
"What am I going to do? He could be anywhere and I can't stop him from attacking." Serena said before looking at Calem.
"Wait a minute that's it! Zoroark turn into Zorua!" Serena said.
"Zor?" Zoroark said confused.
"What?" Calem said.
"What is she doing?" Shauna said. Zoroark was a bit confused but did as his trainer said and turned into his smaller pre evolved form.
Trevenant came out and was about to strike when he saw Zoroark was gone.
"Trev?" He siad.
"Oh no, Trevenant below you!" Calem shouted.
"Night Slash!" Serena shouted. Zoroark turned back into himself and slashed Trevenant across the face.
"So that's what she was doing, she had him get smaller just before Trevenant revealed himself so it would appear as if he disappeared." Korrina said.
"Great job Serena!" Ash shouted. After being hit with another super effective move, Trevenant fell backwards and hit the ground with his eye swirly.
"Trevenant!" Calem shouted.
"Trevenant is unable to battle." The ref said.
"Alright Zoroark!" Serena shouted.
"She's done it! She's ahead!" Grace said.
"All she has to do it keep it up." Alex said.
"Trevenant return, you battled valiantly my friend don't let this get you down. Alright Serena you can certainly improvise. I can see how you made it this far." Calem said.
"Thank you Calem. Alright Zoroark get some rest I may need your help later in this battle." Serena said returning him before taking out another pokeball.
"I choose you Furfrou!" Serena shouted as the white dog came out of his pokeball and growled.
"A Furfrou, alright then. I choose you Noivern!" Calem shouted as a massive Noivern came out and roared.
Calem's Noivern was bigger than Red's Noivern and had a darker skin tone.
"A Noivern." Serena said nervously.
"This won't be easy, Noivern are very powerful." Red said.
"Furfrou can beat him. He's well trained." Ash said.
"Furfrou start off with Sand attack". Furfrou splashed a thick layer of sand towards Noivern.
"Noivern use Hurricane." Calem said. Noivern raised his massive wings and unleashed a divine like wind that carried the sand back and into Furfrou's eyes.
"Furfrou!" Serena shouted as he pokemon lurched back and tried to wipe the sand out of his eyes.
"Oh no Serena's move backfired." Korrina said.
"Perfect, now use Dragon Pulse." Noivern lifted himself up and flew over Furfrou before unleashing a beam of violet dragon energy at Furfrou.
"Serena he can't see, keep that in mind before you make a move!" Ash shouted. Serena knew she had to do something and quick. But she couldn't tell him to dodge it, he couldn't see.
"Cotton guard!" Serena shouted. Furfrou coated himself in a thick layer of cotton spores around himself. When the dragon Pulse hit Furfrou the cotton managed to absorb most of the damage, Furfrou still took some damage.
The cotton and dragon explosion did ,however, manage to get the sand out of Furfrou's eyes.
"Charge beam!" Serena shouted. Furfrou gathered electricity and unleashed a beam of electric power at Noivern.
"Noivern dodge and use Air Slash.". Noivern flew in fast re-angling his wings to avoid the lightning. He then came down at raised his talons and prepared to slash his opponent.
"Furfrou use take down!" Serena shouted. Furfrou waited until his opponent was close then leapt up and hit Noivern in his upper body. While it wasn't easy Furfrou was able to hurl Noivern onto his back.
"Alright she got him!" Ash said. Despite landing his hit, Furfrou felt a bit of pain from the recoil.
"Noivern into the air!" Calem shouted. Noivern got up and flew into the air as Furfrou leapt off him.
"Hurricane into Dragon Pulse.".
"Furfrou use Cotton guard!". As Furfrou coated himself in thick cotton, Noivern unleashed Hurricane. The divine wind hit Furfrou and tore the cotton spores off him.
"Oh no!" Serena said.
"His guard is gone." Red said.
"Furfrou move!" Serena shouted. Furfrou tried to move, but the wind made it difficult to maneuver. Noivern opened his mouth and blasted Fufrou with Dragon Pulse, hurling him back several feet.
"Furfrou!" Serena shouted.
Furfrou hit the ground hard and struggled to get back up.
"Time to finnish this, Noivern use Airslash!". Noivern flew in quick with his talons raised.
"Furfrou use Cotton guard into Sand attack!" Serena shouted.
Furfrou coated himself in cotton spores before splashing sand towards Noivern.
"Stop that sand!". Noivern slowed down to force the sand away with a whip of wind. The sand came back at Furfrou but was caught in the cotton and kept out of Furfrou's eyes.
"Now use Charge beam!" Serena shouted. Furfro gathered his electric energy and unleashed a powerful beam of electricity that engulfed Noivern.
"Alright she got him!" Ash shouted. Serena was quite confident until she saw Calem smile.
"Huh?". Noivern's eyes opened as he stared at Furfrou.
"Dragon Pulse!". Noivern opened his mouth and blasted through the charge beam before hitting Furfrou and knocking the cotton away.
"Furfrou!" Serena shouted.
"Air Slash!". Noivern flew in quick and slashed Furfrou across the face with his talons.
"Frou!" Furfrou cried as he hit the ground and was knocked unconscious.
"Furfrou is unable to battle." The ref said.
"Oh no, Serena's down one pokemon." Shauna said.
"It's ok, she still has two more and Zoroark has had time to rest." Ash said.
"Furfrou return, rest up you were amazing." Serena said.
"A very impressive Furfrou Serena. He wasn't easy to beat." Calem said.
"Alright I need you again. Go Zoroark!" Serena shouted as she sent the large black fox out again.
"I'll be sticking with Noivern." Calem said. Zoroark transformed himself into a Noivern.
"Noivern start off with a Dragon Pulse."
"Zoroark dodge and use Night Slash." The Real Noivern took off and unleashed a violet pulse of energy as Zoroark as Noivern flew up after him. As the dragon energy flew at Zoroark he re-angled his wings and avoided the beam as he approached the massive bat dragon.
"Air cutter!" Calem shouted. Just as Zoroark slashed Noivern across the face with Night slash, Noivern was able to bring his talons up and slash Zoroark across the face.
"They were both hit." Clemont said. Zoroark reverted back to his normal self and landed on his feet as he stared back up at his opponent.
"Dragon Pulse!" Calem shouted.
"Feint attack!" Serena shouted. Zoroark transformed himself back into Noivern and then cloaked himself in darkness before vanishing. The dragon pulse continued on and hit the ground causing an explosion that cracked the floor.
"Huh?" The owner said as he saw this.
"Noivern turn around with Wing attack on my mark." Zoroark reappeared behind Noivern.
"Now!" Calem shouted. Noivern turned around and slashed Zoroark with his wings at the same time Zoroark hit Noivern with Feint attack. Once again both pokemon were knocked back and Zoroark returned to his normal form.
"Again, they both delivered a blow. This is a close one." Korrina said.
"Come on Serena you can pull this off." Ash said.
"Noivern use Hurricane into Air Slash!".
"Zoroark Ride the wind and use Night Slash!" Serena shouted. Zoroark looked up with determination and transformed himself back into Noivern. The real Noivern unleashed a divine wind before flying down through it , using the wind to speed up his own attack.
Zoroark did the same as he flew at Noivern. Calem and Serena watched with grim determination as their two pokemon collided and unleashed their attacks.
"Woah what happened?" Bonnie asked. After the two pokemon collided both fell to the ground with swirly eyes as Zoroark reverted back to his normal form.
"Zoroark!".
"Noivern!".
"Both pokemon are unable to battle." The ref said.
"Well I guess it all comes down to their last pokemon. This is quite a nail biter." Red said.
" Serena you can do this! Just one more pokemon!" Ash shouted. Serena took out her last pokeball and held it close to her face.
"We started this together. Now we finnish it together. I choose you Delphox!" Serena shouted as her Delphox came out and stood in front of her.
"Alright Delphox!" Shauna shouted.
"Delphox, I assume she's your first pokemon you got from the professor." Calem said.
"She's been my partner from the beginning." Serena said.
"Well then, I suppose my last pokemon is quite fitting then. I choose you Trace!" Calem shouted.
"Trace?" Serena said confused. To Serena's surprise a massive Chesnaught came out and took and aggressive stance.
"A Chesnaught? Why would he choose him against Serena's Delphox. Chesnaught is weak to both fire and Psychic moves." Shauna said.
"That's true ,but his Trace is much older and has much more experience. You can't count that out." Red said.
"Delphox Start out with Flamethrower!" Serena shouted. Delphox raised her want and unleashed a thick flamethrower at Trace.
"Trace use a Spiky Shield assault!" Calem said. Trace held his right arm over himself and formed a massive grass shield over himself with several large spikes on it.
The shield deflected the fire as Trace began running towards Delphox.
"Delphox hit him on the side with Fire Spin!" Serena shouted. Delphox rushed to get out of Trace's path before waving her wand in a circular motion. As the fire surrounded Trace he made a hard turn and burst out of the fire using his shield to absorb the fire.
"What!?" Serena said in disbelief. Calem's Trace continued sprinting at Delphox before he got close enough.
"Body Slam!" Calem shouted.
"Stop him with Psychic!" Serena shouted. Trace ,however, was to close. He slammed himself and the spikes on his body hard into Delphox as he plowed her into the ground.
"Delphox!" Serena shouted.
"That looks like it did a lot of damage." Red said.
"Come on Delphox, you can do this!" Ash shouted.
"Rock tomb!" Calem shouted.
"No use Psywave!". As Trace raised his arm to hurl the rocks up, Delphox was able to raise her wand just in time to blast Trace with a wave of psychic energy. Trace was hit dead in the center of his chest, hurling him off Delphox.
" Alright she got him!" Ash said.
"And that Psybeam should have done a lot of damage." Red said. Despite being hit by a Psychic type attack, Trace got right back up looking just as determined as ever.
"Trace use Rock tomb!" Calem shouted. Calem's Trace smashed the ground with his massive arms before coming up with several massive rocks. Once he had them, Trace hurled them up and at Delphox.
"Delphox stop those Rocks with Psychic and send them back at Trace.
"Spiky shield with Hammer arm!" Calem said. Trace formed a large grass spiked shield on his right arm and charged at Delphox. Meanwhile, Delphox raised her wand at the incoming rocks and used her psychic energy to catch them in the air. Her eyes glowed blue as she hurled them back at Trace.
As the rocks flew at Trace, he either blocked them with his shield or smashed them with Hammer arm.
"Delphox use Fire blast!" Serena shouted. Delphox backed up and unleashed a massive burst of symbol shaped fire. Trace held his shield up and absorbed the fire.
"Delphox move!" Serena shouted. Using her agility, Delphox dove forward and to the side away from Trace. However, Trace was able to see this out of her peripheral vision.
He then made a sharp turn and smashed Delphox across the face with Hammer arm.
"Phox." Delphox grunted as she lurched back.
"Delphox use Psywave and aim low." Serena shouted.
"Alright Trace we've trained for this. It won't be easy but I know you can do it. Trace! Double Spike shield assault!" Calem shouted.
Trace gave a very determined look as he raised both his arms and formed a large spiky shield on both of them.
"What?" Serena said in disbelief.
"Wait can he do that?" Clemont said.
"Apparently." Ash said just as surprised. Trace used one of his shields to block Delphox's Psybeam before smashing her across the face with his other.
"Oh no." Alex said.
"Serena Delphox has to move!" Ash shouted.
"Delphox get away from him!" Serena shouted. Delphox tried to get away, but Trace was relentless as he used his shields to smash Delphox repeatedly.
"He's killing her." Grace said. Ash could feel how helpless Serena felt through their aura connection.
"Come on Serena! Never give up until the end!" Ash shouted. Upon hearing this Serena knew Ash was right. Serena noticed that Trace had brought his arms back to strike Delphox and thus moved the shields away from him.
"Delphox! Psychic on his arms!".Delphox gave a determined look as she caught Trace's arms with her Psychic energy.
"Oh no." Calem said as his Trace now looked a bit concerned.
"Now Fire Blast!".
"Del Phox!" Delphox shouted as she unleashed a massive symbol shaped burst of fire right into Trace's chest.
"She's got him!" Ash shouted.
"Pika!".
"You've got it Serena!" Shauna shouted. Trace hit the ground hard as Calem gave a concerned look.
"Trace we can do this! Let's go for broke!" Calem shouted. Trace gave a very determined look as he got up and roared at Delphox.
"Dam he's still going." Serena said hoping that the fire had been enough to finnish him off.
"Trace Spike shield assault!" Calem shouted. Trace raised both his arms and formed a spiky shield on both his arms. Once he had the shields formed he charged at Delphox with both shields held in front of himself.
"Delphox stop him with Psychic!" Serena shouted. Delphox tried to catch Trace with Psychic energy, but the shields Trace held up made it difficult to take hold on him.
"Trace fight through it! We're almost there!" Calem shouted. Trace fought through the Psychic and rushed up to Delphox before smashing both shields across her face.
"Delphox!" Serena shouted as Delphox stumbled backwards.
"Rock tomb!". Trace smashed his hands into the ground and came up with a series of rocks.
"Delphox use Psychic to catch those!" Serena shouted. Delphox tried to catch the rocks, but her fagditude was finally catching up with her. She was able to stop two, but the other 3 smashed into her dealing a lot of damage.
"Delphox!" Serena shouted.
"Body Slam!" Calem shouted. Trace came forward and slammed his body and spikes into Delphox, plowing her into the ground. Trace's eyes met Delphox's as everyone watched closely.
"Phox." Delphox said before her head fell backwards as her eyes became swirly.
"Delphox is unable to battle, the winner is Duke Calem!" The owner of the Castle said.
"We did it. We won! Trace we did it!" Calem shouted.
"Naught!" Trace shouted as he ran back and lifted up his trainer in his arms.
"Ouch, Trace your spikes." Calem said.
"He won! He did it!" Yvonne shouted.
"Serena… Lost." Korrina said as the group went silent. Serena felt her legs grow weak as she lowered her head. She slowly walked over to her Delphox and returned her to her pokeball.
"Delphox rest. I couldn't be more proud of you." Serena said. She looked back up at Calem who gave her a respectful bow. Serena returned the bow before Calem walked over to her.
"Serena I want you to know that you battled valiantly. You and your pokemon. That was the hardest battle I've had in a long time. I'm glad I had the chance to battle a trainer as good as you." Calem said.
"Thank you Calem, you are quite the trainer. You deserve the rank of Grand Duke." Serena said.
"I should get down there and talk to her." Alex said.
"Hold on , she's going with the owner and Calem." Delia said as Serena walked away with them.
Several minutes later in the main ball room, the owner of the castle stood on the stage with Serena and Calem behind him.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Trainers and guests, the Grand Festival has come to it's conclusion. We have seen some exceptional trainers in this years Grand Festival, but unfortunately only one of those outstanding trainers will be able to become a Grand Duke." The owner said as one of the guards came to him and handed him a wooden box.
"Will Duchess Serena Achille please step forward." The owner said as Serena stepped forward.
"Serena you are the runner up and thus will receive the second place award." The owner said as he opened the box and took out a medallion with a leather necklace around it, making it like a medal. The medallion was surprisingly enough, made entirely out of white gold with the symbol of the battle chateau on it.
The crowd let out a loud applause as Serena gave a respectful bow.
"And now, the winner of this Years battle Chateau Grand Festival and our newest Grand Duke. Calem Xaries!" The owner said as he placed a similar medallion around Calem's neck. Only this medallion was not made of solid gold like Serena's. It was made entirely of pure platinum.
The crowd gave an uproar of applause as Calem gave a respectful bow.
"Let the ball begin." The owner said as a large orchestra began playing. Serena saw Calem step down from the stage where he met his wife. Before Calem could say anything Yvonne wrapped her arms around Calem and kissed him.
Serena slowly left the stage from the back as the ball began and the people began dancing. Meanwhile Alex and the others began looking for Serena.
"Serena, Serena where are you?" Alex said. As Red looked around he noticed that Ash and Pikachu were gone as well.
"Hey where are Ash and Pikachu?" Red said. Elsewhere Serena stood on a balcony high up on the main tower looking out at the city below.
"I know you're there Ash." She said just before Ash came up behind her.
"How did you know?" Ash said.
"The same way you found me. Our aura connection." Serena said. Ash came up beside his girlfriend and looked out at the city below. Ash could feel a great amount of disappointment and self shame within Serena's aura.
Though he could understand why she felt this way.
"Serena there's no shame in what happened. You battled with everything you had and got second place in the Grand Festival. There were dozens of trainers who didn't make it that far, and even more that made it to the grand Festival." Ash said.
"I know Ash and I am happy I made it as far as I did. But the thing is, I was so close to reaching my final goal, I worked so hard and got so far. I never gave up until the end, but it still wasn't enough." Serena said as a tear came out of her eye.
Ash put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to him before their eyes met.
"Serena, you are an amazing trainer. You shouldn't be ashamed that you never gave up until the end and it wasn't enough. You should be proud that you never gave up until the end. Look at Calem, two times before he made it to the grand festival, and two times before he didn't win. But he never gave up, he kept fighting on and now he's a Grand duke. This was your first time in the Grand Festival, you fought hard and din't give up until the end and you got second place. Serena I know that we couldn't be more proud of you." Ash said.
Hearing this made Serena feel a lot better, she realized that Ash was right. Even if she didn't win the Grand Festival. She had given everything she had and made it father than most competitors had. She was successful and she was proud of herself.
"Thank you Ash, for everything." Serena said as she blushed a little. Ash put his arm around Serena's waist and his other around her back as he whisked her off her feet and kissed her.
Author's note:
Yup Serena didn't win, Sorry to disappoint you folks but I had to be realistic with this. Calem was an older trainer with more experience. Remember he had two other Grand Festivals under his belt.
That being said don't forget that Serena still got second place which still shows she's a very good trainer.
Now I don't plan on having battle Chateau's in the sequels seeing as that's not where Serena's goal is in the anime. I will follow more of what she does in the anime for the sequel.
Now some of you have wondered if Korrina is the only female Aura guardian. The answer is no, there are others that will make appearances in both this story and the sequel.
Now that the Grand Festival arc is over we will be returning to the movie arc and things are going to heat up very fast in the next chapters so I hope your excited.
Until next time please review, comment, suggest , or ask.