Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon, if I did Ash would actually know the difference between Pokemon types and abilities.
A/N: Well the final showdown is below. Drake vs Ash, hope you enjoy it. This is chapter 58 and hopefully there will be two more chapters, so that I can start to set up for the Johto journey's.
Pummelo Stadium
Ash sat nervously in the small dressing room. Sabrina and Cynthia were sitting either side of him, with Tracey leaning against one of the lockers. Ash had been thinking about the Pokemon he would use in this match. He knew it was a six on six so he had to make sure it was his strongest. In the end he had decided on Pikachu, Gengar, Charizard, Blastoise, Dragonair and Knuckles. Ash had decided to leave both Mew and Darkrai out, as he wanted to prove to himself and the crowd that he didn't always need his legends to win. Ash looked up as he heard the roar of the crowd and the opening ceremony. He looked down to see both Sabrina and Cynthia each had hold of his hand. He then felt a kiss on either side of his cheek.
"You will be fine Ash, just treat this like any other battle. Besides you're the Champion of the Indigo Plateau, this should be easy for you. Just remember we're all behind you and so are your Pokemon. Now come on lets get out there and show this Drake just who Ash Ketchum is."
Ash looked up into Cynthia face and smiled. "Thanks Cynthia, that's just what I needed to hear. Okay lets do this. Pikachu you ready buddy?" Pikachu face become focused and his cheeks started to spark.
"Lets do this boss. Time to add another trophy to your collection." Ash stood from the bench and made his way out onto the battle field, however as he got to the entrance one of the guards stopped him.
"Not yet Mr Ketchum, You have to be introduced before you can enter the stadium." Ash blinked in surprise, he then heard the commentator speaking.
"Good afternoon ladies and Gentleman, boy and girls. The Orange League headquarters would like to welcome you to this Orange league final, where the challenger Ash Ketchum, a fourteen year old trainer from the town of Pallet, will take on the leader of the Orange Crew, your champion Drake! Now with out further ado, lets us get this battle under way. On the red side we have a trainer who has not only conquered the Orange League gym challenge, but he has also conquered the Kanto League Gym challenge. He finished first in the Indigo Plateau Championships. Will you give a big cheers for the challenger Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"
Ash noticed the guard moved to the side allowing him to walk through the entrance and out onto the battle field, followed by Sabrina, Cynthia and Tracey. Ash took in the sound of the crowd and noticed his picture on all the big screens. He waved to the crowd and then walked towards his trainer box. He noticed the others had walked towards the dug out. Ash heard the commentator once more.
"And from the blue side, he is the undisputed Orange league Champion. From Our very own Island of Pummelo. Drake!
Drake walked out onto the battle field and played to the crowd. He had heard a lot about this challenger, according to the other orange crew members he was very strong, that and he had won the Indigo Plateau Championship made him a very worth opponent. Now it was time to see If the boy was as good as the others had said. Drake stood in his own box and noticed the referee was now ready to start the battle. Drake wondered just what Pokemon Ash had with him. He removed a ball from his leather sleeveless jacket.
The referee raised both flags and announced the match up. "This is an official Orange League Championship match up. On the red side we have the challenger Ash Ketchum from Pallet, and on the blue side Drake the orange league champion from Pummelo Island. This is a six on six battle, after three of one trainers Pokemon are knocked out, the battle field will change. Only the challenger is permitted to substitute, there is no time limit, all other clauses are in effect. Trainer send out your first Pokemon."
Ash pulled a ball from his belt and threw it onto the field. "Okay Knuckles you're up!" The ball opened to reveal Knuckles stood ready, his eyes closed and focused, however as his eyes opened they glowed a soft blue before reverting back to normal.
Drake was now looking at a very strong Lucario. He threw his ball onto the field. "Gengar I choose you!" The ball opened up to reveal a Gengar ready for battle.
The referee looked to either side before raising the flags. "Gengar vs Lucario, begin!"
Drake wasted no time in launching the first attack. "Gengar use Focus Blast!" The Ghost/poison duel type began to form a white orb, it then launched the attack.
Ash however was ready. "Knuckles dodge then use Foresight!" Knuckle leapt out of the way of the focus blast just in time. His eyes then glowed red and a beam shot out from both eyes which scanned Gengar. Now Gengar could be hit with physical attacks.
Drake was impressed, that was excellent strategy from Ash, especially when he was using a fighting type. "Gengar use Hyponosis!" Gengar sent hypnotic waves towards Knuckles.
Ash growled. "Knuckles use Protect, then counter with Extreme Speed!" Knuckles braced itself and erected a blue shield protecting it from the hypnosis. Once the attack was over Knuckles vanished in a blink of an eye before hitting Gengar several time with its steel paws and feet. It then appeared back on his father side of the field.
Drake frowned, that attack had left his Pokemon dazed. Clearly the boy was living up to his reputation. "Gengar use Thunderbolt!" The Ghost Pokemon formed an electrical orb between its hand before sending the attack towards Knuckles.
"Ash frowned, so his Gengar could use elemental attacks. "Knuckle dodge and then use Bullet Punch!" Knuckle was just able to dodge the attack, it then jumped forward and again landed several punches on Gengar sending the Ghost type sprawling towards the battle field floor.
Drake noticed his Gengar was struggling. "Gengar quickly get up and use Destiny Bond!"
Ash eyes widened. "Quickly Knuckles use Extreme Speed!" Knuckles raced across the field however it was too late, Gengar had already used the move and now Knuckles found itself chained with the Ghost Pokemon. It was too late to stop his attack and he hit Gengar several time, fainting the ghost Pokemon. Knuckles noticed the chain glowed red, before his eyes turned to swirls and he too fainted.
The referee raised both flags. "Both Gengar and Lucario are unable to battle, both Pokemon are eliminated. Trainers send out your next Pokemon."
Ash recalled Knuckles and watched as Drake recalled Gengar, that destiny bond had been unfortunate, and now he had lost a powerful member of his team in the first round. Ash looked to his shoulder. "You're up Buddy!" Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and ran onto the field ready for battle.
Drake took another ball from his vest and threw it onto the field. "Go Onix!" The huge rock snake Pokemon appeared on the battle field and roared.
The referee raised both flags. "Pikachu vs Onix, Begin!"
Ash wasted no time. "Pikachu use Agility!" Pikachu raced across the field raising its speed. All the crowd could see was Mac yellow and brown blur.
Drake smiled, so speed was Ash strategy, well he would soon put a stop to that. "Onix Rock throw!" Onix roared before slamming its huge tail onto the field up rooting several huge boulders which landed all over the battle field.
Ash noticed one of the rocks was going to hit Pikachu. "Pikachu use your tail to spring up onto the boulders then use Iron Tail!" Pikachu jumped up using the spring in its tail and then somersaulted before slamming his glowing tail right on the boulder shattering it.
The crowd cheered at Ash's ingenuity, at using his Pokemon tail to dodge the rock and then counter with an iron tail to destroy it.
Drake smirked, this kid was fall of surprises. "Onix use Dig!" Onix burrowed into the battle field ready to attack.
Ash noticed Pikachu was trying to figure out where the rock type was going to attack from. "Pikachu wait for it, wait for it." Ash was watching the field, suddenly he knew where the attack was going to come from. "Jump now then use Iron tail!"
Pikachu jumped just in time as the rock Pokemon broke through the ground. It then somersaulted in mid air before slamming his glowing white tail right across the head of the rock Pokemon."
Drake eye widened, how could the boy had predicted his Onix would attack there? That and the boy had used Iron tail as a counter, now his Pokemon was stunned from the attack. "Onix use Roar!"
Onix opened its mouth and sent out a huge roar, forcing Pikachu to retreat back to Ash. A random ball then opened up and Blastoise appeared on the field.
Drake couldn't believe his luck, now he was really up against it. "Onix use Dig quickly!" Onix dug underground again, however Drake noticed the smirk on Ash's face. Why was he smiling.
Ash didn't need to worry about where Onix was going to attack from, Drake had pretty much guaranteed that this round was his. "Blastoise show Drake why that was a big mistake, use Earthquake!"
Blastoise growled before lifting his foot and slamming it down on the field. The ground split as the fissure raced across the field. Onix was suddenly up rooted and flew high in the air. It then came down with a huge crash showing swirl for eyes.
The referee raised the flag on Ash's side of the field. "Onix is unable to battle. The winner is Blastoise. Champion send out your third Pokemon."
Drake recalled Onix, and threw another ball onto the field. "Go Electabuzz!" The electric humanoid Pokemon appeared on the flexing its arms and legs, while giving off sparks of electricity.
The referee raised both flags. "Electabuzz vs Blastoise begin."
Drake wasted no time in launching its attack. "Electabuzz use Thunderbolt!" The electric type charged an attack before launching a huge bolt of lightning towards Blastoise. The attack hit, however Blastoise was able to survive the attack.
Ash frowned, that electric attack had been quite powerful, Blastoise wouldn't be able to take many of those. "Blastoise use Blizzard!" Blastoise slammed its foot down before wind and snow began covering the field. The attack hit Electabuzz several time doing a fair bit of damage. After the attack was over, Electabuzz had noticed its feet were frozen to the battle field.
Drake growled in frustration. Of all the rotten luck. "Electabuzz use Thunder!" The electric type attacked with a bigger bolt of lightning which lit up Blastoise it swayed a little until it regained its balance.
"Blastoise use Earthquake!" Blastoise was fading fast however it knew it had to take out this Pokemon, to give Ash a good chance of winning this match. he growled through the pain before slamming his foot on the field creating another fissure that headed right for Electabuzz. Due to it being trapped in ice, it couldn't avoid the attack and flew high up into the air before slamming head first onto the battle field. It had swirl for eyes.
Blastoise growled before he too fell forward with swirl for eyes. Both Pokemon were now knocked out.
The referee raised both flags. "Both Blastoise and Electabuzz are unable to battle. Due to the champion losing three Pokemon will now have a field change."
"There you have it folks, Ash has knocked out three of Drake Pokemon. The current score is 4-3 to the challenger, however as we know Drake as been backed against the wall many times before, and has always managed to turn the tide. The field has been changed and we are now ready to carry on with the battle.
The referee again raised both flags. "Field change complete, Trainers send out your next Pokemon"
Ash looked to his shoulder, "Okay Pikachu let try this again, you're up!" Pikachu again jumped off Ash's shoulder and ran onto the battle field ready to face Drake's next Pokemon.
Drake removed another ball from his jacket. "I choose you Ditto, Transform!" The ball opened to show a purple blob Pokemon with eyes and mouth. It then transformed into an exact copy of Pikachu.
The referee raised both flags. "Ditto vs Pikachu, let the battle begin!"
Ash had been surprised by Drakes fourth Pokemon, however he had no choice but to battle it. "Pikachu use Agility!" Pikachu raced across the field in a yellow and brown blur.
Drake decided to match Pikachu move for move. "Ditto use your Agility!" Ditto raced across the field and was soon bumping into Pikachu. Both Pokemon kept colliding with each other.
Ash groaned. "Pikachu use Double team!" Pikachu made several copies of itself which spread out across the width of the battle field.
Ditto was too busy using agility and kept missing Pikachu thanks to the double team. Eventually it came to halt breathing heavily.
Drake frowned. "Ditto use Thunderbolt!" Ditto jumped up and launched a huge bolt of lightning towards Pikachu. However Ash was ready.
"Pikachu up on your tail and ground that attack then use Quick attack!" Pikachu grounded the attack and then raced across the field and tackled ditto sending the fake Pikachu sprawling across the field
Ash noticed how tired ditto was compared to Pikachu, it was then he realised that Ditto only copied the form and moves not the conditioning of the Pokemon. Pikachu looked like it could go on for another several rounds. "Pikachu finish it with Thunder!"
Pikachu cheeks sparked before it sent a huge bolt of lightning towards Ditto who was trying to get up. "Quickly Ditto dodge now!" However Ditto was too tired to dodge the attack and was hit by the powerful thunder. Ditto turned back into its original form and then fainted.
The referee raised the flag on Ash's side of the field. "Ditto is unable to battle, the winner is Pikachu. Champion send out your fifth Pokemon."
""Amazing folks, Ash has manage to knock out four of Drakes Pokemon, Now the champion will send out his fifth Pokemon, the question is which one will it be?"
Drake recalled Ditto, he touched the ball on his necklace, this kid was good, and Drake had a funny feeling he was going to need his strongest Pokemon. However he still had one more Pokemon before he unleashed the full power of his Dragonite. "I choose you Venusaur!" The ball opened up to reveal a powerful looking Venusaur.
The referee again raised both flags. "Venusaur vs Pikachu begin!"
Ash knew he was at a disadvantage here, he would just have to do the best he could. "Pikachu use Agility!" Pikachu again raced across the field towards Venusaur.
Drake followed the yellow and brown blur, he needed to slow that Pikachu down. "Venusaur use Stun Spore!" The grass/poison duel type shook the huge tree on its back and sent out a fine yellow mist that covered the field. Suddenly Pikachu stopped using agility and growled as the stun spore took effect, paralysing it.
Ash narrowed his eyes, now Pikachu speed had been cut in half. "Pikachu use Double team!" Pikachu again made several copies of itself.
With Pikachu speed now cut in half, Drake knew he had a chance of winning this round. "Venusaur use Earthquake!" The grass/poison duel type raised both front legs before slamming them onto the field creating a fissure that was heading for Pikachu.
Ash eyes widened. "Pikachu quickly dodge!" Pikachu attempted to dodge the attack, however it fell due to the effect of stun spore. It was sent flying into the air. Ash saw an opportunity. "Pikachu Iron tail now!"
Pikachu managed to regain it composure and somersaulted, it tail now glowing, and ready to hit Venusaur.
Drake was impressed that Pikachu was able to survive the Earthquake, however he wasn't going to lose this round. "Venusaur Intercept with Vine whip!" The Grass/poison duel type shot two huge vines from it back, both wrapped around Pikachu and then slammed the electric type onto the battlefield.
Ash watched as Pikachu attempted to get up, however in the end it fell onto the field knocked out.
The referee raised the flag on Drake's side of the field. "Pikachu is unable to battle than winner is Venusaur, Challenger send out your fourth Pokemon."
Ash walked onto the field and picked up Pikachu, he then carried him back to his box and handed him over towards Cynthia who gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Ash then returned back to his box and removed a ball from his belt. "I choose you Gengar!" The ghost Pokemon appeared on the field poked its tongue out at Venusaur, much to the amusement of the crowd.
The referee once again raced both flags. "Venusaur vs Gengar begin!"
Ash wasted no time in launching his first attack. "Gengar use Substitute!" Gengar vanished from the field and replaced itself with a dummy.
Drake frowned so much for using none attacking moves. "Venusaur use Vine whip!" The duel type sent several vines smacking Gengar dummy, however the substitute wouldn't break.
Ash just smiled. "Gengar use Disable!" Gengar reappeared it huge eyes glowed causing Venusaur to quiver and shake, it was now prevented from using vine whip.
Drake nodded in approval, this boy was using strategy way beyond that of a fourteen year old. No wonder he was able to win the Indigo championship. However according his research the boy had used two legendary, and yet Ash hadn't used any in this match. This just caused Drake to respect Ash more as a trainer.
"Venusaur use Sunny day!" Venusaur looked towards the sky and growled. Suddenly the field was bathed in bright sunlight.
Ash knew what Drake was thinking about. "Gengar use Sludge bomb!" Ash knew Venusaur was part poison, but it was also part grass. Gengar appeared and then shot blobs of poison sludge from it's mouth that hit Venusaur in several places, doing a moderate amount of damage.
Drake needed to break that substitute, otherwise Dragonite would find it tough to battle. "Venusaur use Solarbeam!" Venusaur absorbed the sunlight and then fired a yellow beam at Gengar, the substitute broke making Gengar reappear.
Ash sighed, now it was going to be a little more difficult. "Gengar use Psychic!" The ghost Pokemon eyes glowed blue before a blue glow surrounded Venusaur. the grass/poison type found itself lifted off the field. It was then turned upside down, before being slammed onto the battle field. Venusaur never got up and just stayed on its back knocked out.
The referee raised the flag on Ash's side of the field. "Venusaur is unable to battle, the winner is Gengar, Champion send out your final Pokemon."
"There you have it folks, the challenger has forced Drake to use his final Pokemon, however as we all know Drake as saved his strongest to last. Will the challenger be able to over come this powerful Pokemon where so many others have failed?"
Drake recalled Venusaur and then placed his hand to his necklace. He then pulled the ball off it and enlarged it. "Ash you battled superbly and have forced me to use my strongest Pokemon. Behold its Power, come forth Dragonite!" The ball opened on the field to reveal Dragonite who roared to the cheers of the crowd.
Ash stood stunned, Drake final Pokemon was Dragonite. This was going to be tough. He waited for the referee to announce the match up, when the flag had been dropped Ash launched its first attack. "Gengar use Toxic!" Gengar opened its mouth before spitting out a cloud of purple gas that washed over the field.
Drake grinned. "Nice try Ash, Dragonite use Twister!" Dragonite opened its mouth before a spiraling wind shot out sucking up the toxic cloud, clearing the field.
Ash frowned. That was nice use of twister, he would have to remember that. "Gengar use Shadow ball!" Gengar formed an orb of black energy before launching the attack at Dragonite.
"Drake just smiled. "Dragonite counter with Dragon rage!" Dragonite opened its mouth once more and then sent out red and black spiraling beam that met the shadow ball half way negating it.
Ash was really enjoying himself now, this was what a battle should be like. "Gengar use Psychic!" Gengar was about to launch its attack, however Drake countered just in time.
"Dragonite use Flamethrower!" Dragonite shot out a stream of hot flame which incinerated the ghost type. Once the attack was over Gengar was covered in scorch marks but it could still battle.
Ash frowned once more. "Gengar use Focus Blast!" Gengar formed a white orb and launched the attack. However again Drake countered.
"Quickly Dragonite dodge and then use Outrage!" Dragonite dodged the focus blast and then was surrounded by a red aura. it then flew across the field and slammed into Gengar sending the ghost type flying. It fell to the ground with swirl for eyes.
The referee raised the flag on Drake's side of the field. "Gengar is unable to battle, the winner is Dragonite. Challenger send out your fifth Pokemon."
Ash recalled Gengar, he then removed another ball from his belt. "Go Charizard!" The ball opened up to reveal Charizard ready to battle. Ash again watched the referee flag dropped. "Charizard use Dragon dance!" Charizard roared before boosting it's attack and speed.
Drake knew his Dragonite was locked in outrage and wouldn't come out of it until it got confused. "Dragonite use Outrage!"
Ash smiled, outrage was powerful, but it had one major draw back, the Pokemon using it, couldn't use any other moves. "Charizard dodge and then use Dragon Claw!" Charizard dodged the outrage and then extended its claws before striking Dragonite with them.
Drake watched Dragonite get hit with the dragon type move, sending his Pokemon into full retreat. "Dragonite use Outrage again!" Dragonite again flew towards Charizard in a rage. However Ash countered once more.
"Dodge and then use Dragon Claw!" Charizard again dodged the attack and again hit Dragonite with his claws causing the dragon type to wince. it again returned back to Drake and shook his head as the confusion took effect.
Drake sighed both those attacks had done some serious damage, and now Dragonite was confused. This was all about luck now. "Dragonite use Dragon Claw!" Drake noticed Dragonite shook his head in confusion, however it used the attack.
Ash watched as the Dragonite charged towards Charizard. "Intercept with your own Dragon Claw Charizard!" Both dragon claws met head on causing both Pokemon to struggle against one another. Eventually though Charizard broke through and landed its attack on Dragonite, again sending the dragon type crashing to the ground.
Drake watched Dragonite slowly get up. "Dragonite use Thunder!" Dragonite by this time had snapped out of confusion and used the powerful electric attack which hit Charizard causing the fire/flying type to wince in pain.
Ash looked on, so Dragonite could use Thunder. "Charizard take to the sky!" Charizard roared before flying high above the battle field.
Drake decided to do the same. "Dragonite use take to the sky to." Dragonite flapped its wings before flying high into the sky, both Pokemon locked eyes.
"Unbelievable folks, it looks like this battle will be decided in the air. Drake is giving all he has, and Ash is proving just why he won the Indigo Plateau Championship."
Ash decided to attack first. "Charizard use Dragon claw!" Charizard raced towards Dragonite claws glowing once more.
Drake looked up. "Dragonite counter with your own Dragon claw!" both Pokemon again attacked each other. Both met in the middle and clashed. However again Charizard was too strong and broke through Dragonite guard.
Ash noticed Dragonite was falling, now was his chance. "Charizard quickly get in close and use Seismic Toss!" Charizard charged forward and grabbed Dragonite in its claws. It then shot up with Dragonite secure in its arms. He looped several times before diving towards the battle field.
Drake noticed what was happening. "Dragonite quickly use Thunder!" Dragonite opened its eyes, it was ready to launch it's attack however before it could, Charizard let go and Dragonite slammed into the battlefield, kicking up a huge dust cloud.
"Unbelievable Folks that seismic toss has left a huge crater in the field. The dust is clearing, and yes Dragonite is still standing!"
Ash couldn't believe it Dragonite was still standing. He was about to launch another attack before he noticed Dragonite fell to one knee, it was covered in marks and yet it wouldn't go down. "Charizard use Dragon claw one last time!" Charizard charged forward, again claws glowing.
Drake knew this was it, Dragonite had nothing left, his winning streak was over. "Dragonite intercept with your Dragon claw." Again both attack met head on, and for the last time, Charizard broke through and hit Dragonite, sending it flying.
Ash watched as Dragonite again tried to get up however this time, it fell backwards with swirl for eyes. Ash had done it, he had won the Orange league Championships.
A/N: There you go, little different to canon, the aftermath will be in the next chapter.