Ash, the Iron Trainer
The 'Rock Wall' Leader
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
"Pokémon" – Normal Speech
'Pokémon' – Thoughts
Pokémon – Flashback
Pokémon – Move Names and Pokémon Abilities
{Pokémon} – Pokédex
Previously on Ash the Iron Trainer,
After Team Flare escaped with the fossils they stole, Ash and the gang returned to Ambrette Town with the absent minded scientist that had all the unbelievable luck in the world that Team Flare never even noticed him and vice versa so it seemed as well. Everyone got all jumpy and worried over nothing.
"So let see what these Pokémon are." Ash said while scanning the two Pokémon Serena had defended back in Glittering Caves.
{Cubone, the Lonely Pokémon. It wears the skull of its dead mother on its head. When it becomes lonesome, it is said to cry loudly.}
Cubone was a small, bipedal Pokémon with a golden brown hide that covers most of its body, including both dorsal spikes. Its belly is a very light brown. Two small claws, one on each hand, served as its thumbs, and two large nails make up its toes. On its head, Cubone wore a skull as a helmet. Because of this, much of its actual face was never actually been seen, except for its triangular, black eyes and a small area surrounding them. The skull had two rounded horns on the top of its head and a tooth-like point on the lower sides. Under the skull, Cubone had a brown snout.
{Kangaskhan, a Parent Pokémon. Once approaching extinction, they are now protected by law and inhabit the Safari Zone. Approach with extreme caution. The Kangaskhan is a rare Pokémon which raises its children in its pocket. They will attack viciously and without warning if they feel their young are threatened in any way.}
Kangaskhan was a large, bipedal creature with a thick tail. It had a brown hide with several raised patches, and a cream-colored belly. On top of its head was a black patch, and it had large cream-colored ears and red eyes. Its snout was short and rounded with two pointed teeth protruding from its upper jaw. There were epaulette-like growths over its shoulders and a row of spikes down its back. It had three clawed digits on each hand and foot. In the pouch on its belly, it carried a baby Kangaskhan. Unlike its parent, the baby is light purple and has smooth skin.
"And now me." Ash then pointed the Pokédex at his new Pokémon.
{Ferroseed, the Thorn Seed Pokémon. Ferroseed absorb minerals from rock by penetrating the walls of caves using their spikes.}
Ferroseed was a cave-dwelling Pokémon resembling a durian. It had many green thorns around its body that are used for protection. It had a metallic body with band-like stripes, along with small yellow eyes with black pupils
Since the only Pokémon on the beach could be encountered from the cracked rocks with Rock Smash, Ash had to buy a fishing old. It just happened to be called an 'Old Rod' since it was used multiple times before being returned for much better rods. And yet Ash didn't care, it worked pretty well anyways.
"Finally…" Ash directed his attention to Serena who was already looking at him in the other direction. "About what you promised, you don't have to if it hurts…" Ash was just a too soft of a boy but Serena wasn't going to break a promise like that.
"No. I will need to tell sooner or later or not at all." Serena said, with all that self-confidence from the Glittering Caves still strong as a candle flame on a fresh candle stick. "To tell the truth, my dislike for Rhyhorn is related to why I left the day after I first met you Ash." That really got Ash's glaze on Serena, sticking like glue. "My mother, Grace, is a Rhyhorn racer and she wanted me to be one as well but ultimately decided to move to here in Kalos after a business deal was too much for her to stay in Kanto. She has been telling me for years that moving here was the best thing that ever happened to our family. I never believed her, I had to leave you and no matter how many times I asked to go back, even for one single day, and Mom never ever let me leave Kalos." Serena said all that, not caring what Ash had to say about it yet until she suddenly broke into tears,
"My Mom forced me to leave the only friend I ever had and I never even told him my name. Just that I promised to play together the next day. That never happened and I had to live with that pain for years. And now you are in Kalos instead me in Kanto, I don't know if you can actually forgive me for being so stupid, so weak, and so shy and…and…" Serena just couldn't even speak with her heart wrenching at every letter of her self-hating words, she cried so hard, she made a puddle at her feet but before she could fall to the ground in tears,
"Mmmph~!?" Serena felt like something had clamped on her lips like a staple, preventing her from saying a single word and barely able to breathe. She was in for the shock of her life when she saw Ash, kissing her!
"Serena, I gave you my name and you couldn't give me yours. Now that I gave you my first kiss, don't think the same thing is going to happen." Ash said casually despite the blush on his face. "Your mother can't stop us from being together again."
"B-b-but…we are just ten years old!" Serena wondered why she was questioning her first kiss, something that she had been dreaming in bed at night,
"So? You had to wait of years to tell me your name, I am not going to keep you waiting from doing what you want to do. And besides, if you are embarrassed by it, then we will keep this our little secret until we are ready to do it for real." Ash said with his blush glowing strong on his face still. Serena grew one herself but she won't dare protest against this.
"…thank you Ash." She just said after a moment just in Ash's arms around her body protectively. "I am glad I have you as a friend, I never want to leave you gain." Serena said before she was silenced for the rest of the day. She was just in pure bliss, she trusted Ash with her secrets and feelings so Serena felt no reason to be afraid anymore.
It was like god's blessing that after the hassle at the Glittering Caves, the trip through the aquarium was enjoyable and the trip on the shoreline was relaxing for sure. All in a successful attempt to cheer Serena up. But Ash knew personally that it was mostly thanks to them finally giving each other their first kiss.
Serena had been in a much chipper mood
It was for a gym battle against the Cyllage City Pokémon Gym leader that specializes in rock types, Grant. And like before, Ash had met Grant while not under the impression that he was a Gym Leader.
Flashback Begins!
It was when Serena was waiting for a new member to challenge for the rights of Baron and watching Ash undergo his latest battle with a fellow Baron. He decided to use his Skiddo so Pikachu was keeping her company and her personal bodyguard against all those stick up trainers who try and try to tempt Serena to wait with them instead alone with a, in a quote, 'small, pathetic, weak yellow rodent freak'. Despite their high status given the flashy clothes, sticky and suffocating cologne and their stuck up accents, they sure have such a disrespectful language set.
When Ash finally returned from his match, which victory was almost clear, someone gasped and they all pointed out one thing. A man was trying to climb one of the walls of the castle and just reached the ledge directly above one of the exits. "Hey everyone, it is a nice view from up here!" He shouted which baffled all the trainers and Pokémon watching,
"That is Grant. He is a member here too and a Duke at that." Nico said, as some of the trainers were not scared of this man acting like that.
"Just like me." It was Voila who said that and after a grand entrance, she revealed herself to Ash and Pikachu once again while Serena was introduced to the Bug Type Gym Leader.
But when Ash and Serena looked back on Grant, to see what about him that screams trainer and Duke when Grant fell to the ground a loud 'Thud'. They and the other trainers hurried to him while trainers like Nico and Voila signed and Turner was no different,
"Grant. Once more?" He said while retaining his annoyance, like this is something that happens too much. Grant groaned like an old man who had taken a nasty fall but didn't seem to be hurt at all.
"I'm afraid so." He said with only signs of discomfort in his voice. "That wall, it was just screaming for me to climb it so I had to satisfy it."
"Or that you have an obsession with climbing walls Grant." Viola stated which really made Grant cringe. Meanwhile, Ash and Serena didn't know what to think about all this. This was a Duke level trainer that was at the same level as Viola?
A battle later had put those thoughts to rest as Grant was able to beat Viola's Surskit even after using her signature technique which involved increasing Surksit's speed with Ice Beam on the surface of the battlefield. Grant's Pokémon, an Onix like from Glittering Caves, was able to pile the pressure with Rock Polish and Rock Tomb. Both moves can affect a Pokémon's speed in their own way; Rock Polish will increase the speed of the user and Rock Tomb can do damage while lowering the target's speed.
Unfortunately for Surskit, Rock type attacks were super effective and do harsh damage to Bug types. And even with Ice Beam and Protect, Viola ultimately lost the match which allowed Grant to become a Grand Duke. Despite all that, Ash was even more interested in Grant and when he heard that he had met the gym leader from the next City, he wanted to battle Grant even more.
Flashback Ends!
And now is his chance but will Ash take it? That will be a good question when Ash and the gang had finally settled in Cyllage City after resting themselves and their Pokémon at the Pokémon Center. They were going to see if they can find the Gym and remember where to go but they didn't need to waste any time as, from an opening in a cliff, came an angry trainer who had this look on his face that set something off as something bad to Ash and Pikachu's eyes.
"What's wrong…?" Serena noticed it and Ash just silently signaled her to be quiet as they overlooked the trainer stomp his way down the slope from the Gym. They trailed him until the trainer finally stopped not far from the city, among a small group of trees. He then opened the Pokéball in his hand and released the Pokémon inside. 'That is a Chespin! Like the one at Professor Sycamore's lab!' Serena whispered and Ash nodded since he saw one there too.
"Don't give me that stupid smile, you failure for a starter!" The trainer sure isn't the friendliest type that either Ash or Serena ever seen talking to their Pokémon. "I thought that getting you from that Calem idiot will win me at the Cyllage City Gym and at the jerk Grant, but you failed me!" He raised his voice at the Chespin who painfully flinched at the tone. "You are the weakest Pokémon. I don't need a Pokémon that can't even bet a Rock type! Why don't you just drop dead?!"
"Knock that off!" That voice came out of nowhere and so did that punch that dislodged the Pokéball from the trainer's hands and sent the trainer to the ground. The trainer got up with a broken nose,
"Stay out of this brat, this Pokémon is weak and it deserves what I am going to do to it!" He still thought that he was committing no crime but Ash was going to listen to his twisted reason,
"One thing I ever learned was that there are no weak Pokémon. They only as weak as their trainers. If you can't train a Pokémon to your liking then you are just that bad as a trainer!" Ash shouted.
"If you want that pathetic weakling than fine! I don't need anyone telling me that my ways are wrong!" The trainer then noticed Serena and had this lustful look in his face. "Tell you what, if you will give me your girlfriend than you can have this stupid Chespin." He hoped that Ash will agree but the raven haired boy never said a word when a loud slapping sound filled the air instead.
"Like I will ever go to someone as disgusting as you!" Serena, unfortunately for the trainer, had heard everything loud and clear and got that sudden self-confidence like at Glittering Caves again.
But the trainer got up and grabbed Serena by the wrist, "You have no choice toots because if you are hanging around a stupid kid then you will never get married, you should hang out with someone like me!" Serena tried to escape his grip until a cracking sound can be heard with the trainer screaming along with it like a two person chorus.
"You are nothing but a piece of slime." It was Ash who grabbed the trainer on the wrist, a lot harder than the latter did on Serena and talked like he was possessed. "Serena has nothing to do with all this and you better behave or you can never hold another Pokéball and force another Pokémon to be exposed to your selfish," Ash then violently twisted the trainer's arm to cause even more pain, "Repulsive," Ash forced the trainer to the ground with his foot, "Idiotic presence." Ash then used his foot to indirectly twist the trainer's spine.
"Ash!"
"That is enough!"
"That first voice was definitely Serena but it seemed someone else had halted Ash. It was a policewoman like one who arrested Team Flare from the caves, Officer Jenny. "You have finally got a trainer I have been ordered to turn in. Thank you brat."
Officer Jenny retrieved the trainer from Ash but that only caused Ash's hold on him to break completely loose. He then went into a rage and threw Officer Jenny off of him and faster than a bird, had gotten both Ash and Serena by the neck.
Pikachu tried to stop him but was kicked away by the trainer's foot. That broke something for sure by the cracking sound and that Pikachu found himself barely able to get up, all the poor Pokémon can see is Ash nearly choking and Serena molested by the trainer! He had to stop him, even if he had to break this broken body even worse.
But someone, who had been watching it all happen out of fear, had suddenly gained the courage to make something for itself. "Chespin~!" The little Kalos Grass starter Pokémon charged at its trainer, biting him on the head!
"OWW!" That got the trainer to stop his harassment but he never let go off the kid's necks and instead tried to hit Chespin with his leg. "Hold still you stupid weakling!" Chespin was instead dodging those attacks with limited range until it opened its mouth to release a barrage of glowing seed-sized projectiles that had successfully released both young trainers from the their death grip. But Chespin wasn't done and its fingers and spikes on its head stiffen and glow white. It then fires white orbs trailing green streams of light at its trainer, to cause even more damage.
"That's it! I will kill you!" That madman charged at Chespin who suddenly couldn't move, either from its undying confidence or frozen with fear. Either way, the trainer never got far when both Ash and Officer Jenny appeared to stop him and this time, the latter knocked him out cold.
"He will never get near another Pokémon again." Officer Jenny said while she got him for good, complete with a huge bump at the back of his head and handcuffs on his wrists. While she was taking this criminal away, Ash gathered up the other witnesses which included the critically injured Pikachu and the mentally scarred Serena. The Chespin had been protecting them all this time.
Ash then cupped Serena who looked like a real mess with her ruined hair and the dark blue tear trails on her face. "You can tell me when I made it worse Serena." Ash said before kissing her so deep that it was like he wanted to slurp up her skin right off her face. Serena couldn't ignore the kiss that was taking her breath away, literally. And yet she felt something other than losing her breath,
She felt like any of the harassment was leaving her heart and bones out via the kiss. It may have sound silly but Serena felt no pain whatsoever when Ash broke off from the kiss. She still didn't say a word but Serena didn't need to when she finally closed her eyes, stopped her crying and relaxed enough to sleep in Ash's arms; she clang to Ash like her favorite stuffed teddy bear, like it was the only thing keeping her warm and safe.
XXXXX
It took a few more days but at last, with all doubt and anxiety behind, it was time to challenge the Cyllage City Gym. Inside was something that surprised trainers as they were not expecting to find a set of cliff climbing installed. Apparently, Grant has a fondness the exercise that comes with mountain climbing. Grant also preferred to battle trainers from the top of the interior mountain which had two ways of reaching; manually climb up or use the elevator.
Serena preferred the elevator that led to where visitors can witness the Gym Battle. Her Braixen and Cubone were on their best behavior and they wanted to watch the battle as well, they were out of their balls to watch with their trainer. Serena felt a lot safer surrounded by Pokémon that she trusted.
"Amaura, sing along with the Northern Lights!" Grant took out his first Pokémon.
It was a quadruped, dinosaurian Pokémon similar to sauropods. It had a long neck and a short, stubby tail. Above its large, deep blue eyes were two sail structures, which are yellow at the bottom fading into pink towards the tips. These sails had an iridescent appearance. It has a light blue body with a white belly. A single dark blue crystal adorned each side of its body; while its forelegs lacked claws or digits, the hind legs each had a single white nail.
{Amaura, the Tundra Pokémon. This ancient Pokémon was restored from part of its body that had been frozen in ice for over 100 million years.}
"Okay then, Ferroseed!" Ash released his first Pokémon. Even though he was allowed to carry more than six Pokémon on hand, there is still this rule that states a maximum of six Pokémon for a Gym Battle or any other Pokémon Battle for that matter.
"We will take the first move if you don't mind." Grant said and before Ash could respond, "Use Thunder Wave!" Amaura was then covered in yellow and blue sparks that then rocketed off of the rocky hide of the Tundra Pokémon and landed on Ferroseed. But Ash was not worried, in fact he smirked.
"Thanks. Now Ferroseed, try to push yourself through and use Gyro Ball!" Ash said and Ferroseed had tried to ignore the Paralysis that threatened to prevent the Iron Thorn Pokémon from moving at all. Thankfully he trained with a Pikachu, a Pokémon with Static along with Thunder Wave. Ferroseed had just got to move, even with the paralyzing effects, and attacked Amaura was hit with a very super effective Gyro Ball.
Grant, of course was surprised at the comeback but then smiled. "So that is why you choose Ferroseed when I choose Amaura. Not to neutralize any damage, but for Gyro Ball!" Ash was not paying that close of attention and instead saw that Serena had a slightly confused look on her face.
"You see Serena, Gyro Ball is a steel type move which does super effective damage against both Ice and Rock types but it is a very complicated move." Ash started and Serena peered in for more info. "Gyro Ball's base power is determined by how faster the target is moving compared to the user. And while being paralyzed can prevent Ferroseed from moving, it just basically cuts down on his speed; with that much, Gyro Ball is at its strongest, see?"
Serena turned into the direction of Amaura only to see that the Tundra Pokémon looked like it took that Gyro Ball really badly. It was like Ferroseed can just win this battle but Grant was still a Gym Leader.
"Nevertheless, Amaura use Mist and then Take Down!" Grant decided to make the next move. Amaura covered the entire battlefield in a blue and icy mist indeed before charging for Ferroseed.
Of course, it did surprise Ash that Ferroseed didn't resist the Take Down since he is a Steel type Pokémon until he realized something that the Pokédex told him silently and stopped worrying about it for now since the issue is Ferroseed still paralyzed. It couldn't even move after that Take Down attack.
"Use a Mirror Shot!" Ash said but to his dismay, Ferroseed was still unable to move due to the effects of Thunder Wave. "Keep at it!" Ferroseed heard it and tried again, finally able to unleash a storm of green beams at Amaura.
"Protect!" Grant yelled out a very good move for a Pokémon that had a good number of weaknesses including two double weaknesses. And with that Mirror Shot wasted, Ferroseed pretty much can no longer try to break free of the paralyzing effects of the Thunder Wave. It looks like Ash will have to rethink his strategy.
"Ferroseed, return! Snorlax, I need you!" That was a shock to Serena as she knew about the Snorlax from Camphrier Town but she thought it was supposed to be the in mountains so it can help the townspeople for another annual harvest. Snorlax were rare alright but what were the chances of Ash actually encountering a separate wild Snorlax and catching it; another better question until after the match, when did Ash catch that Snorlax?
"Chip Away!" Ash yelled out and Snorlax actually listened to him without dozing off. It charged and struck Amaura. That got both Grant's and Serena's attention and knocked them out of their stupor, started by their shock and confusion.
"Thunder Wave!" Grant wanted to initiate the same strategy, wanting to see just what Ash will do to counteract it. Since it was move that barely misses, Snorlax was then paralyzed as well but Ash did indeed have a plan.
"Rest." Ash said simply and Snorlax didn't try to attack and instead fell asleep, effectively curing himself of the paralysis! That was what Ash knew to do if Grant tries Thunder Wave again. But Serena was wondering how Snorlax was going to battle Amaura if it is asleep. "Snore!"
Snorlax then indeed snore, enough to cause some rocks from the ceiling to barely miss the people inside the Gym and caused some damage to Amaura. Serena figured out that if a Pokémon is not asleep, Snore can never be used. It was good thing that Ash though this through.
"Fine!" Grant said, realizing that he can paralysis a Pokémon while it had another status aliment already. "Take Down!" Grant commanded and Amaura charged but couldn't do much damage to Snorlax due the Pokémon high defense and its budging stomach was like a sturdy drum. The only thing noticeable will be Amaura taking the usual recoil damage of Take Down.
"Snore!"
"Aurora Beam!"
That shoot off was something for the eye to behold because both Pokémon are hit at the same time. This also set some things off as Snorlax finally awoke from Rest and Amaura was able to stay standing from the Snore attack.
"Good to have you back Snorlax, now use Yawn and then Defense Curl." Ash said again a lot more calmly. Snorlax nodded and carried out those commands, causing Amaura to get drowsy while Snorlax built up his defense.
"Use Thunder Wave!"
"Roll out of the way!"
Now everything was clear on why Ash had told Snorlax to use Defense Curl after Yawn. It also allowed Snorlax to roll around the battlefield and avoid the Thunder Wave. And unfortunately for Grant, that delay had cost him when Amaura finally fell to the effects of Yawn.
"Now finish with Chip Away!" That tone had excitement that Snorlax seemed to share along with Ash when he charged at the napping Tundra Pokémon, dealing enough damage to even knock out a rock type like Amaura.
"Amaura is unable to battle, Snorlax wins!" The referee announced and Serena knew that Ash will do it. Grant just simply looked away when he returned his beaten rock and ice type. That was his weakest Pokémon in terms of type relationships so now he can go a little more out.
"Go Tyrunt, roar and shake the cave walls!" Grant sent out another Pokémon.
It was a dinosaurian Pokémon, closely resembling theropods such as the Tyrannosaurus. Its body is grayish-brown, with a lighter gray shade on their bellies and lower jaw. The back comes to a peaked hump, and the tail is short and pointed. It had tiny forelimbs with only two clawed digits, both white. The hind legs were more robust, and its feet featured three white claws and an adjoining rear claw; this fourth digit is stone colored. The front part of each leg also features two, armor-like plates, which are rectangular in shape. Spiky, white "fluff", similar to the primitive feathering on many dinosaurs, extends from the back of the neck. Their heads are proportionally large, with a ridged snout and powerful jaws. They have two pointed teeth in the lower jaw, and the upper jaw features tooth-like projections on either-side and a slightly-decurved hook at the end. Their large white eyes are semicircular with a black border along the lower curve. Orange, triangular horns extend from above each eye and point away from the snout. A similar projection juts out of the tail.
Ash then scanned it,
{Tyrunt, the Royal Heir Pokémon. Tyrunt's jaws are so big and powerful, it can crunch up a car. If it doesn't like something, it responds with a wild tantrum.}
"And before you embarrass me further," Grant said, "Tyrunt use Dragon Tail!" The dinosaur like Pokémon charged with its tail covered in green and transparent scales making its tail look bigger and that of an actual dragon's. Not only did this do damage but Snorlax was forced back into its Pokéball. (1)
Out came the Chespin from a few days ago, it was looking strong and actually excited that it was finally 'chosen' by Ash against Grant. Grant seemed to recognize it from that trainer who challenged his gym but stomped out when Chespin lost to Amaura, not even bothering to use any other Pokémon. Ash said nothing, not to dampen the young Pokémon's spirits.
Thankfully Ash didn't need to because Grant took advantage of this development. "Tyrunt use Draco Meteor!" Tyrunt raised its mouth to the sky and unleashed a sphere of dragon type energy that soared like a rocket before exploding and causing an actual meteor shower.
"Use Rollout to dodge!" Ash was not taking any chance of Chespin ignoring him in his excitement and thankfully for the trainer, it was worth it when Chespin heard that loud and clear. He curled into a sphere and rolled around the battlefield, using the sensations from the attack that missed in order to sense the others coming. "Now attack!" Chespin then sensed Tyrunt and charged at him with all the speed and attack power granted by the extended use of Rollout. That caused Tyrunt to receive it all in full blast, knocking the Royal Heir Pokémon off of the battlefield and land hard into some of the boulders littered nearby.
"Now use Leech Seed!" Chespin then launched a vinery of seeds connected by vines that covered Tyrunt, sapping the energy from the rock and dragon type and sending it all to Chespin.
"Get out of there and use Rock Tomb!" Grant yelled out and Tyrunt managed to release itself from its crater in order to summon a rainstorm of rocks that caused Chespin to panic in an effort to dodge them but it seemed that Tyrunt can mentally direct the boulders to corner Chespin. "Now Draco Meteor!" Tyrunt released another rain of meteors that this time, all went into the direction of the trapped Chespin!
"Protect!" Ash knew that Chespin was still a Pokémon who was still a little scared and careless about battles so he taught that very important move to him as of the time being, Chespin will feel ready to forget about Protect and take in attacks all the save. That was how Chespin avoided damage in a tight space and even get free when the meteors had destroyed the Rock Tomb prison that Tyrunt had made around him.
But, "Tyrunt use Crunch on Chespin!" Grant was not going to let a setback like this turn the tides so easily. Tyrunt had then trapped Chespin painfully in its large jaws, making the Spiny Nut Pokémon flail in panic. But Ash did not and somehow, through the pain, Chespin had knew that and calmed down enough to concrete for this,
"Chespin, use Pin Missile in Tyrunt's eyes." Ash said in a cool tone and Chespin managed to get free by stinging Tyrunt where its rocky hide can't resist, releasing Chespin from its mighty jaw. "Target Vine Whip at Tyrunt's legs and then use Seed Bomb, full blast, when it falls." That was a complicated set of moves but Chespin didn't want to disappoint another trainer by doing the best he could.
Chespin had seen Tyrunt try to hold its eyes in pain so it was unable to get out of the way for a Vine Whip to the leg its was putting most of its weight on, causing Tyrunt o lose a lot of his balance. When Tyrunt was on its side trying to shift its weight, Chespin unleashed a fierce and surprising assault of green glowing projectiles from its head spikes.
Usually, a Chespin could only learn Seed Bomb far after it first evolves according to what the Gym Leaders know. This one watched in horror as his Pokémon was launched and sent for another nasty landing. But soon, his focus shifted to when Chespin roared in its own cute way to mark this as his first major victory for its new trainer; its body was starting to glow blue while Chespin was watching in surprisingly clam curiosity before its body was fully engulfed in the bright light, filling up the Pokémon Gym entirely.
After the light died down, in the place of the small Chespin is a bipedal, mammalian Pokémon with some plant-like features. It was largely covered in an armor-like shell similar to that of a chestnut. The armor was green in coloration with two large spines jutting out like ears. These spines and its pointed tail had red tips, and there were banded segments on the back of the shell. The lower half of the body was brown, and it had a three-pointed patch of fur decorating the front. Its stubby limbs were brown, but the top surfaces of the arms were protected by green, banded armor. It had three white, clawed digits on its hands and two on its feet. The face was exposed and unarmored, being light brown in color. It had a small, pink nose and a pointed snout, with a three-pointed patch of brown fur extending out like hair. Brown triangles marked its cheeks. Finally, it also had wide eyes, buck teeth.
"You finally did its Chespin. Now let's see what I should call you now." Ash said before taking out his Pokédex again and scanning his new Pokémon.
{Quilladin, the Spiny Armor Pokémon. It relies on its sturdy shell to deflect predators' attacks. It counterattacks with its sharp quills.}
While everyone was amazed to see a Pokémon Evolution, they didn't notice that Grant's Tyrunt hadn't emerged from its second crater like before but the referee was a better person than that and said this to get their attention to a better priority.
"Tyrunt is unable to battle! Quilladin wins!" Everyone looked to see the Royal Heir Pokémon is out for sure. They cheered for more from Quilladin but instead, Ash returned him before Grant could even take out his final Pokémon.
"I have talked with my Quilladin before he evolved, he just wanted to finally evolve and now he will need training to adjust to his new form. A gym battle isn't even close to a good example. That is why I will leave Quilladin to the next Gym Battles." Ash said, as if he read their minds and answered their curiosity right on the spot. They all ever understood or still critical on Ash's decision to return a Pokémon who had just evolved before the Gym Battle actually ended. But Grant, he laughed while laying this,
"You are truly a wonderful trainer! No wonder Voila spoke some much of you and now I want all that against my true strongest Pokémon! Go Aerodactyl!" Grant stated and realized a third Pokémon. Out came a reptilian, bipedal Pokémon with large, membranous wings. It has sharply pointed ears and a fierce expression with intense eyes. Its snout is ridged, with a gaping mouth and strong lower jaw full of serrated fangs. Its body is covered in light violet-gray skin with violet wings. Aerodactyl's wings consist of a membrane running from the side of the body to the tip of an elongated finger. The clawed hands at the bend of each wing allow it to grasp objects. A hump-like ridge grows from its back and it has a strong, arrow-tipped tail. Its talon-like feet are capable of scooping up and tightly clutching its prey in flight.
{Aerodactyl, the Fossil Pokémon. Its hard fangs suggest that it was a carnivore. Its sharp claws were probably used to capture prey.}
"Okay then Grant, Frogadier let's go!" Ash said and released his initial Kalos starter type Pokémon. The semi-ninja like Pokémon took stance, never let loose her guard, not even in the face of a Pokémon like Aerodactyl.
"Supersonic!"
"Dodge with Quick Attack!"
Ash and Grant sent off somehow at the same time. Frogadier was able to avoid getting the (accursed) confused status aliment. "Now use Smokescreen!" Since the Quick Attack had allowed Frogadier to get into close proximity with Aerodactyl, she was able to temporary blind the Fossil Pokémon.
"Drat you Ash! Use Wing Attack!"
"Smack Down!"
Grant tried another attack and Aerodactyl managed to sense where Frogadier was but when it tried to strike with a glowing wing, it was instead hit rocks sending him nearly into the ground and when it finally reached Frogadier, that attack barely did anything at all.
"Nice try using a flying type move on a rock type." Ash said with a smirk and Grant realized that he was duped once again but couldn't do a thing when, "Smokescreen!" Frogadier released yet another stream of blinding smoke that removed more of Aerodactyl's vision.
"That does it! Use Roar!" Grant shouted and commanded a move that required no need of accuracy at all. Aerodactyl roared so mighty and strong that Frogadier was sent back into her Pokéball and a random Pokémon was sent outside. And it happened to be Ash's Pikachu! "Hone Claws and then Agility!" Grant then decided to upgrade his strategy in order to combat this new fighter that can do serious damage.
"I guess that I can stop playing around. Pikachu, use Electro Ball!"
"Scary Face!"
Grant knew all about Electro Ball and made sure that it was his Aerodactyl that will be faster than Ash's. And he succeeded in making Electro Ball do very little damage even for a super effective move. Ash had to think of something to counteract this until he came up with a plan.
"Use Ancient Power!" Aerodactyl unleashed a storm of rocks aiming at Pikachu who awaited Ash's commands.
"Pikachu, use Electro Ball to take them in." Ash said and in a serious tone despite how silly it sounded. Pikachu did it anyway and found out that his Electro Ball, still on his tail, was getting a little unstable. "Now release it behind you." Pikachu lowered the unstable Electro Ball while his tail was facing straight away from his back; that was when he lost control of it; as it will have it, that force barely harmed Pikachu and instead sent him straight to Aerodactyl! "Use Electro Ball again and then Iron Tail twice in a row!"
Grant nor Aerodactyl had room to move when Pikachu used that sudden speed burst to restore his Electro Ball back to the usual strength which dealt a lot more damage to Aerodactyl. Then, Pikachu landed two constructive Iron Tail attacks which also caused a lot of super effective damage to Aerodactyl.
"Yes, yes! That is what I wanted to feel and now I can't take it anymore!" Grant was like a kid on sugar high before he took out a hiker's pike, one that is used for mountain climbing, with a familiar stone to Ash's eyes.
'That must be the Keystone Professor Sycamore keeps telling me. Voila had one too and used to 'Mega Evolve' her Beedrill.' Ash said with his focus on the stone that was embedded on the head of the pike.
"Aerodactyl, listen to the echo of the mountain I create! Bring it in your heart as strong as rock! Mega Evolve!" Grant chanted and the same strange energy emerged from the Keystone and connected with the stone on Aerodactyl's collar. The Fossil Pokémon then started to glow like before and morph.
After the light had faded and Aerodactyl had completed its Mega Evolution, its body begins to turn to stone, which some researchers claim is its original appearance before fossilization. It grows larger in size and sprouts jagged black spikes all over its body. There are five spikes at the wrist joint of each wing, replacing its hands. Three small spikes grow along the tail, and the spine on its back has become large and stony. The rear talons of the feet have also turned black. Its chin and ears are each decorated with a large spike, with rocky plates marking its eyebrows and the corners of its jaw. Similar stone ornaments are present on its chest on its torso: two small marks flanking a longer mark. Its irises have changed to a dark green color.
Ash had to scan it with his Pokédex,
{This Pokémon is now in its Mega Evolution State. It retails its Rock and Flying typing but loses all abilities for Tough Claws. It allows any Psychical Moves of the user to get stronger.}
"Now use Dragon Claw!" The new Aerodactyl raced with new speeds and hit Pikachu with a very powerful strike. It was like that physical move really spiked through the roof in terms of attack power but Pikachu took it in and endured it for Ash. Viola's Mega Beedrill was this powerful and Pikachu had still thrived and pulled through. At least Ash knew what Grant was now trying to get at.
"Ice Fang!"
"Agility!"
Ash had gotten Pikachu on top the mega evolved Aerodactyl when it tried to clamp freezing teeth onto Pikachu. It was tough since Pikachu was sore from that Dragon Claw. "Thunder!"
At close range, that could have done a lot of damage but Mega Aerodactyl was not to go down so easily as before. It did, however, a lot of damage as evidenced by Mega Aerodactyl's oblivious discomfort and tired state.
"Shake Pikachu off and use Fire Fang!" Grant yelled and Mega Aerodactyl was able to dislodge Pikachu from its topside and clamped on him with fire infused fangs! And yet when Mega Aerodactyl noticed something off about what he had chomped and has in his mouth. It was disgusting to say when Mega Aerodactyl spat out a doll that looked nothing like Pikachu and yet had somehow came out of nowhere and took that attack which could have taken our Pikachu instead.
Grant and Mega Aerodactyl looked for the real Pikachu until they heard,
"Pikachu, use Electro Ball now!" Pikachu tore through the rocks he was hiding behind with his aching body to launch yet another ball of lightning at Mega Aerodactyl.
"Catch with Thunder Fang!" That was a definite and unique strategy and Mega Aerodactyl was able to stop the Electro Ball with its teeth covered in lightning itself. That was how it was able to stop the super effective move.
"Use Quick Attack at Aerodactyl's mouth!" Pikachu didn't know why but did so anyways, trusting Ash as always. When Pikachu got within inches of the Fossil Pokémon's mouth, Ash gave one last command, "Iron Tail in his mouth!" That was silly and risky and yet that was how Pikachu liked it.
Pikachu gave all of its power into its mighty tail which turned to steel itself and attacked the Electro Ball from within Mega Aerodactyl's jaw, forcing it down the throat and unleashed its electric might from within the Pokémon itself.
"Aerodactyl!" Grant cried out while having to cover his eyes from the sheer intensity of the lightning that consumed his Mega Evolved Pokémon from within. Everyone else had to do the same to protect their eyes from the light that was almost as bright as the summer midday sun. When the light did die, there was only Pikachu still trying to stand on his four sore and tired legs and a crater.
Inside was a small trail of smoke, coming from the mouth of a regular Aerodactyl. Not budging from that spot, not even an inch. It was time for the referee,
"Aerodactyl is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! Since Gym Leader Grant has no more available Pokémon, Ash Ketchum wins this Gym Battle!" He announced while Ash just walks to Pikachu, ignoring any cheer with guilt in his heart. When Grant granted the Cliff Badge for winning, shaped like a cliff or a rock climbing wall, Ash just took it and placed it with his Bug Badge and picked up his exhausted Pikachu, tired and hurt from that last stunt.
Meanwhile, Serena still cheered for her friend since he fought hard and just managed to pull through. She found out that there was something about Ash that, no matter what he does, he always made her feel like he is in charge and things will always turn out alright.
XXXXX
After Ash's Gym Battle with Grant, he and Serena went back on the road and have seen more Pokémon. Pokémon like,
{Sigilyph, the Avianoid Pokémon. Sigilyph keeps enemies from invading its territory with its Psychic powers and was the guardian of cities long ago.}
Sigilyph is a spherical Pokémon, possessing two cyan eyes with a third on a black appendage on top of its head. Sigilyph has a pair of wings and a tail that are yellow with blue and red stripes on each of the "feathers", two black-colored three-toed "feet", and two small spikes at its base. Sigilyph will use its psychic powers to attack anyone who invades its territory. Due to it retaining memories from when it guarded an ancient city, it apparently flies along the same route constantly.
And,
{Emolga, the Sky Squirrel Pokémon. Emolga lives in trees and uses its cape-like membrane to glide through the air.}
Emolga is a white, rodent-like Pokémon resembling a flying squirrel. It has black eyes, a tiny nose, and yellow cheek patches. It can create electricity on its electric sacs located on its cheeks and store electricity inside its membranes. Its ears, positioned at the top of its head, are rounded in shape and black in coloration, with yellow and white sections of coloration in the inside of its ears. It sports a vaguely hood-like patterning of black around its head, with a spiky extension of the pattern above its face. It has yellow wing like flaps connected to its three-fingered arms. It can use these flaps can be used to glide from tree to tree, and it can discharge electricity while gliding. Its feet are white and fairly small and its black tail is in a jagged shape.
All this was just dandy since Grant told Ash that the next Pokémon Gym was all Fighting types. But Ash realized after seeing a trainer teaching a rock type move to a Machop that Flying types can be countered by this Gym Leader so he instead choose these Pokémon to join him;
{Golett, the Automaton Pokémon. It is said that Golett was instructed to protect people and Pokémon by the ancient civilization that created it.}
Golett is a bipedal, clay Pokémon constructed in the ancient past to protect a civilization of people and Pokémon. There are two different shades of blue throughout its appearance. It has a head with a cyan-colored "fin" on top of its head, and two bewitching, yellow eyes. Around its spherical body are brown straps, which meet at a blue square with a yellow swirl in the center. It has four large stones, two on its arms and two acting as its feet. Golett burns energy inside itself in order to move. This energy causes Golett to release light through the holes near its arms and legs. However, no one has identified this energy.
And,
{Hawlucha, the Wrestling Pokémon. Possessing an artistic way of executing its moves, Hawlucha takes great pride in their elegance.}
Hawlucha is a small, bipedal bird-like Pokémon. It has red, cape-like wings that are connected to its tail with green undersides and small clawed hands. It has red chest feathers, a white abdominal area and legs with small yellow feet. It has a green, mask-like face with an orange stripe down the middle, as well as orange rings around its eyes. Hawlucha has a small, red beak, and a white patch underneath it. It also has three orange tassle-like appendages jutting out of the back of its head. Its eyes have black sclera and large yellow irises.
Hawlucha makes up for its small body with its proficiency in fighting, which allows it to keep up with bigger fighters such as Machamp and Hariyama. It deftly controls its position in the air by using its wings. A favored tactic is to strike from above, as many opponents have a hard time defending against this maneuver. Prior to recent developments of course, Hawlucha was the only known Pokémon capable of learning Flying Press.
Serena was having her own choice of Pokémon and caught some of her own,
{Eevee, the Evolution Pokémon. Depending on circumstances, Eevee can evolve into many forms.}
Eevee is a mammalian, quadruped creature with primarily brown fur. The tip of its bushy tail and its large furry collar are cream-colored. It has short, slender legs with three small toes and a pink paw pad on each foot. Eevee has brown eyes, long pointed ears, and a small black nose. This Pokémon is rarely found in the wild, and is mostly only found in cities and towns. However, Eevee is said to have an irregularly shaped genetic structure that allows it to adapt to many different kinds of environments. Eventually, Eevee may evolve to better suit its surroundings.
And,
{Snubbull, the Fairy Pokémon. While it may appear gruff and grumpy, deep down, Snubbull is a kind and caring Pokémon.}
Snubbull is a pink, bipedal, bulldog-like Pokémon with blue polka dots covering its body. It has loose skin that drapes to cover the lower part of its body, giving it the appearance of a dress. There is a small, blue ruff around its neck. Its face has a pronounced underbite, two earflaps that are flat, curved, and tipped with black, and a small, shiny black nose. Despite its underbite, it has strong jaws. Its feet are beige with three toes and a circular pink paw pad, while its arms are short and stubby.
Snubbull, possesses the ability to use keen sense of smell to track things down. Despite this Pokémon's fierce looking face, it is very playful and affectionate. It is a popular companion among women for its devotion and loyalty. It is not aggressive and tends to prefer to scare away its opponent rather than fight. Snubbull wander around urban areas.
Of course, they were sent to Professor Sycamore's place since she had a full set on her hands already. Ash promised that once they reached the next town, they will give the switching Pokémon routine a go and a start so she will be able to get used to in her own pace.
In fact, she had to take things a lot slower ever since the Chespin incident. She had nightmares of that trainer returning and continuingly harassing her while Ash bared no concern at all. Nurse Joy called it Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD for short. Unfortunately, Serena is still a ten year old so she was not prepared for this type of disorder so there was the danger of her losing her sanity.
Nurse Joy suggested that Ash will always comfort her. Make sure that she is never on her alone. Make sure that she will never be left by herself in the face of danger since that is a large jolt to a broken vase, could make it shatter. Nurse Joy also said that she will inform all her cousins or otherwise, identical counterparts about this incident so they can help when and wherever the trainers need it. According to her, this never happened before.
Ash understand perfectly and promised, to best of his ability, to see that Serena will recover and overcome this PTSD and became a happy girl and then a woman as well. Serena herself was just glad to have a boy like Ash for a trainer. Pikachu even made sure to help out too and protect Serena whenever Ash couldn't do it himself.
Of course, before they got far from Cyllage City, "Hold it!" A voice emerged from the woods and so did a most curious sight that landed right front of the two trainers.
It was a young girl, around her teens. She was wearing a one-piece white shirt that came with a skirt that all had red outlines. It was the same color as her skates and helmet. She was wearing black under pant underneath. Her eyes were a sky blue and her hair was a bright blonde that was molded into a large ponytail in the back and with two smaller ponytails to both her sides. Finally, she had a white fingerless glove that had a colorful stone embedded like with Viola's hairpin and Grant's keychain.
And by her side was a Pokémon for sure. It was a bipedal, canine-like Pokémon, with fur that is predominantly blue and black. It possessed a short, round spike on the back of each forepaw, in addition to a third on its chest. It had a long snout and ears. It possessed cream-colored fur on its torso, and blue fur on its thighs that resembles shorts. It had a medium length tail of the same blue color as well. It stood on its toes rather than on its entire foot. Finally, it has four small black appendages on its head.
"My name is Korrina of Shalour City and this is my partner, Lucario!" She introduced herself with as much radiant cheerfulness that she was almost as bright as the sun in the midday sky.
End of Chapter 9.
*I had a blast with this chapter but I think that everyone wants me to work more on my other stories so I will take a little break from this one. Please understand that I will work on what comes to my mind. I may work to satisfy you but I am not a slave, I decide on what I want to do with my work.
I know that I may have added Chespin a little late but it was an important character in the anime so I had to think of somewhere for him to appear. I was thinking of giving him the hidden ability but Ash's Frogadier already has one. So I decided to do a little more like Ash's Chamander from Kanto, with a move that normally cannot be learned while its first stage form.
Hope you like this anyways and I will try to work extra harder to catch up because October is ending and soon, I will really be in college and that will make it harder to adjust. Wish me luck!*
I have seen Dragon Tail being used in the anime but the additional effect from the games were never used. So I thought I would.
Pokémon on Hand;
Ash – Pikachu (Male), Honedge (Male), Pawniard (Male), Mawile (Female), Durant (Female), Frogadier (Female), Fletchinder (Male), Skiddo (Male), Ferroseed (Female), and Quilladin (Male).
Serena – Braixen (Female), Plusle & Minun (Female), Audino (Female), Cubone (Male) and Kangaskhan (Female).
Off Hand;
Ash – Ledian (Female), Kadabra (Female), Snorlax (Male), and Smeargle (Male).
Serena – Furfrou (Male), Spritize (Male), and Swirlix (Female)