Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
"Pokémon" – Normal Speech
'Pokémon' – Thoughts
Pokémon – Flashback
Pokémon – Move Names and Pokémon Abilities
{Pokémon} – Pokédex
Ash, the Iron Trainer
From Skill To The Sea!
Previously on Ash the Iron Trainer,
And so, after all these adventures, Ash and Serena were finally in Shalour City. And it was a marvel to behold. This city looked so bright after all those encounters and time spent in the darkness of the caverns. What really stood out about this city was the giant tower in the horizon. It was of a design that was amazing to the eyes of both trainers.
That was where Ash was to have his Gym Battle with Korrina. Ash couldn't wait for it but he was not the type to rush in at the first chance he has like he did when he first met Pikachu. He was going to be sure that his Pokémon are up to the task not up to their heads in overconfidence. That was a mistake that we all make even though we try hard not to. Ash will have to try anyways.
"One more time!" Serena heard that for the twentieth time that day. Ash was doing some last minute training with his Pokémon. He choose to use Ferroseed, Honedge, Mawhile, Ledian and Kadabra with Pikachu coming as backup. Those were the Pokémon out on the same field as Ash, going until they drop.
"Ash, are you really sure about all this?" Serena didn't care if she was heard or not. She just sat there on the bench, petting her Cubone while her Braxien watched with her. "I guess that you are piling in since we are going against a Gym Leader that is training in preparation for us. I just wish that there was something I know I could do about this." Then Serena felt Cubone shift in her lap to face her and then Braxien placed her paw on Serena's shoulder. The look on their face was something of 'you are just enough for Ash'. "I hope that is true."
And as Serena said this, Ash flinched as if a cold wind went up her spine. "Okay guys. Finish those reps and then we can stop for dinner." Ash told his Pokémon who looked tired but nodded as they went on with their training. And dinner then came right on cue, with everyone but the trainer eating well. Serena was easy to read why but Ash looked like he suddenly got sensitive about all this. (1)
Maybe it is because of a promise that Ash had made, he feels like he is starting to forget about it and start to break it on purpose. Now that will be heart-wrenching. Ash then finished his food and left, "I am sorry Serena. We will be ready." That is what he said as he passed his friend, whom didn't even budge. But Serena did something to this, she cried; of what kind of tears, that was difficult to determine.
XXXXX
Then came the day that Ash and his Pokémon no longer saw any need to keep training and delaying their battle. They got healed and ready from their last practice session while Serena came to cheer Ash on. And they entered the Shalour City Gym, and inside was like a skating rink, with stairs and railings leading to below the battlefield right in the center of the gym; where Korrina was spotted clearly.
"Welcome Ash, we have been waiting for this match with you and your Pokémon." Korrina said with an eager and confident tone. Like any Gym Leader should be when addressing their next challenger; in a way that any trainer will feel the same before starting their Pokémon battle.
{Mienfoo, the Martial Arts Pokémon. Mienfoo's battle moves become quicker and more precise with increased concentration.}
Mienfoo is a yellow, bipedal, mustelid-like Pokémon, with round ears, red eyes, and a pink nose with a whisker on each side. Its red arms look similar to flared sleeves, and the paws are yellow. Mienfoo's chest has a small red band, and its pelt piles around its thighs resembling a tunic or robe. Its legs are red, and its yellow tail is also tipped red.
"Okay then…" Ash said taking out his first Pokémon, "Ferroseed, prove that nothing can move you like a mountain." It wasn't the brightest choice considering Ferroseed is naturally weak to fighting types. But Ash was a trainer that was sure to know what he was doing.
"Use High Jump Kick!" Korrina called for the first move as she did call for the first Pokémon to the field. And Mienfoo leaped higher than any cricket at its size and until nearly reached the ceiling of the gym.
"Use Curse Ferroseed." Ash simply said and Ferroseed glowed darkly and ominously. And then Mienfoo completed High Jump Kick by landing on Ferroseed directly, only to cause barley any damage and had to retreat back in pain. Korrina then realized why Ash will use a Pokémon like Ferroseed, with its sole ability named Iron Barbs which does damage to a Pokémon that uses a physical attack. "Nice going with the Spikey Helmet, right Ferroseed?"
Korrina was even more shocked to see that Ferroseed smiled and nodded but more importantly, that Ash had enhanced Ferroseed's ability to damage Mienfoo even more. "Now use Gyro Ball!" With Mienfoo still temporary stunned by the damage done to it, the Marital Arts Pokémon couldn't stop the Thorn Seed Pokémon from colliding into it. And since Ferroseed is one of the slowest Pokémon in general, Gyro Ball has grown stronger than usual. And Curse helped as well.
You see, the move Curse has been in debate as to what type it is until it has been decided to be a Ghost type move. What it does depends on the Pokémon using it, as in what type of Pokémon. If a Ghost type uses it, it will throw away half its health to slowly eat away the energy of another Pokémon. If a Pokémon that is a non-Ghost type uses it, the Pokémon will increase its Attack power and Defense Power in exchange for lowering its speed. And since Gyro Ball is a physical type attack that is directly affected by Attack power, the two moves can be a good combo if used by a non-Ghost type Pokémon.
"Now use Giga Drain!" Ash proclaimed and Ferroseed launched massive vines from the spikes on its entire body at Mienfoo who tried to dodge but the pain had prevented any good escape. And once the Marital Arts Pokémon was caught, it roared as the life energy was sapped out of its small body. Meanwhile, Ferroseed looked like it was never hurt to begin with once it begun to suck out Mienfoo's life energy, much like a vampire.
"Swift!" Korrina shouted out and Mienfoo tried to shake this off by unleashing a storm of stars that hit with prefect accuracy. Too bad it was only annoying Ferroseed with such an ineffective hit of a normal type move against a steel type Pokémon. And it was all for naught since Ferroseed still had Mienfoo in its grasp.
"Pin Missile!" Ash shouted and Ferroseed canceled out its Giga Drain to launch a storm of needles at Mienfoo. And since Pin Missile is a bug type attack, it shouldn't have caused much damage because Fighting type Pokémon are naturally resistant to bug type moves. But when you take in account on how Korrina's Mienfoo has undergone since the match started, that will be quite different.
"Mienfoo is unable to battle, Ferroseed wins!" The referee announced and Korrina withdrew the Marital Arts Pokémon with a solemn look. She was played for a fool by unable to think of a way to win against a Pokémon that she had an advantage against; that hurts the ego a lot. "Would the Gym Leader please take out her next Pokémon?"
"Fine! Machoke, go!" Korrina threw her next Pokéball, just in time for Ash to take out his Pokédex to scan this next Pokémon.
{Machoke, the Superpower Pokémon. With enough strength to lift a giant truck with one hand, Machoke are often used to extremely heavy work.
Machoke is a bipedal, humanoid Pokémon covered in gray skin. It has a vaguely reptilian face with a short snout, narrow red eyes, and four pointed teeth visible inside its mouth. Two of these teeth are in the upper jaw, while two are in the lower jaw. On top of its head are three, light brown ridges. Its arms are muscular with dark red, vertical stripes on them. It possesses large pectoral muscles that protrude slightly over its belt. It has black markings that resemble briefs along with a golden power-save belt that regulates Machoke's strength
Machoke is a Pokémon of immense strength. Its muscles are as hard as steel, and it is capable of lifting extremely heavy objects with only one finger. Despite its immense strength, it is modest and often helps people with manual labor. It can be found in the mountains, where it trains daily.
"And don't think that we are going down so easily! Flamethrower!" Korrina shouted out and this time, Curse and Gyro Ball aren't going to help Ferroseed against a fire type special attack like Flamethrower. Pin Missile is not going to help either and Ferroseed went down just like that.
"Ferroseed is unable to battle, Machoke wins!" The referee announced and Ash just returned the fallen grass and steel type back into its Pokéball. Ash then reached for another Pokéball,
"Machoke huh? Let's make the pair. Show us your mind power, Kadabra!" Out came the Psi Pokémon that floated for a moment before landed on its feet with the spoon in its hand. "Disable!" Kadabra was a good Pokémon to be set out when the opponent revealed a move that wasn't in the using trainer's favor. "Psybeam!" And after Machoke was in shock that it couldn't use Flamethrower again, he was sent into the wall with a physic blast. "Now Kadabra return."
Now that was unexpected but Ash was able to recall his Kadabra without a hitch and then released another Pokémon. "Honedge!" And out came the Sword Pokémon and since it is a ghost type, Honedge should have a considerable advantage against a Pokémon like Machoke. That is until the fighting type Pokémon uses a move to cancel that out.
"Use Foresight!" Yes, just like that one. And when Machoke focused his eyes to dispel any illusion and find where to hit Honedge.
"Metal Sound!" Honedge grinned its blade like body against its scabbard to make a horrible sound and to break Machoke's concentration. "Now use Autotomize." This time, Honedge grinned its sword body but at the ground, a lot like how a blacksmith sharpens blades. This caused Honedge to shave off any unseen and excess grin and weight, successfully making Honedge faster than Machoke. "Now Swords Dance." And now, Honedge glowed red and its blade looked sharper than before.
"Foresight and then Low Sweep!" Korrina shouted out, not taking any chances. And Machoke wasn't going to delay any longer and managed to locate Honedge to move for the leg strike.
"Iron Defense." Thankfully, Ash spoke that in time for Honedge to be able to take that super effective hit. "Slash." Ash then commanded and Honedge dealt an impressive hit to the massive Machoke and then, "Aerial Ace!" Honedge moved with prefect grace and no matter how fast Machoke was, the fighting type will fail to stop this attack.
And yet something else happened when Honedge sheathed itself, like when a master swordsman completes his attack. When that happened with the 'click', Honedge started to glow blue and bright as the sun. That was the mark of a Pokémon evolution!
Ash was in awe and only subconsciously took out his Pokédex to scan his Pokémon once the process has been completed.
{Doublade, the Sword Pokémon. When Honedge evolves, it divides into two swords, which cooperate via telepathy to coordinate attacks and slash their enemies to ribbons.}
Doublade resembles two swords sheathed on a plaque. Each sword has a pink eye with a black, linear pupil on the hilt, as well as a pink, tassel-like arm emerging from the handle. The swords are able to communicate telepathically, and they use this ability to carry out complex attacks that are unstoppable even to those skilled at swordplay.
But that moment was interrupted and ruined when the timing had gotten a little sour for this new Doublade. "Flamethrower!" Doublade was consumed by flames after Machoke's Disable had finally worn off. "Focus Blast!"
"Slash!" Both attacks hit their target when Doublade moved in close enough for the Slash and Focus Blast to hit, close range. And while Machoke appeared, barely on its legs, Doublade didn't get up.
"Doublade is unable to battle! Machoke wins!" The referee announced and Ash had to hear that while returning his fallen Pokémon.
"Time for more training." Ash whispered to the Pokéball, "Now Pawniard! Go!" Ash shouted and released the small, Steel/Dark type Pokémon that couldn't have a great disadvantage than any other Pokémon that Ash personally knows. "Scary Face!" Ash proclaimed and Pawniard somehow scared Machoke into flinching. "Retaliate!"
And with a flash, Pawniard was on the other of Machoke with claws glowing and yet he didn't move. And Pawniard didn't need to when Machoke fell with a mighty thump. "Machoke is unable to battle, Pawniard wins! May the gym leader please release her final Pokémon?"
"Fine! Gallade, go!" Korrina returned her Machoke and revealed her final Pokémon for this Pokémon battle.
{Gallade, the Blade Pokémon, and the evolved form of Kirlia. Gallade extends its elbows as if they were swords, and when protecting someone, it fights fiercely.}
Gallade is a white, bipedal Pokémon. Its lower body consists of rounded hips with strong legs. It has a thin green torso with sharp, red horns sticking out of its chest and back. Its arms are shaped like tonfas with extendable blades in its elbows. It will use its arms like swords in order to protect someone. Its head resembles a gladiator's helmet with a white face and a teal head crest. It has spikes on the sides of its face. It is a master of courtesy and swordsmanship that is capable of predicting its foe's moves.
"Scary Face." Ash called out since Korrina had the honor of the first move by Pokémon too many times. And Pawniard managed to cause Gallade to flinch and this didn't go well with Korrina,
"Close Combat!" It has said that once a Kirlia becomes a Gallade, it automatically learns the highly advanced fighting type move.
"Double Team!" Ash proclaimed and Pawniard was able to dodge the destructive move, causing Gallade to trike at the battlefield instead of him. "Shadow Claw." Pawniard then engulfed one of his claws with an eerie energy and charged for Gallade.
"Match it with Night Slash!" Korrina retorted and the two Pokémon canceled each other out. But Pawniard could have needed more speed to prepare himself for this next move. "Power-Up Punch!" Gallade had landed a direct hit on Pawniard, landing massive damage due to Pawniard's typing.
"Retaliate!"
"Protect!"
Once again, both Pokémon were given orders and yet they never got anywhere and instead matched out each other. "Pawniard return." Ash then suddenly returned his Pokémon for yet another time in this Gym Battle. "Mawile, come on out!"
"Close Combat!" That is pretty much all Korrina could say at this point. And when Gallade charged for the vicious beat up, at least the second try anyways.
"Iron Defense." Ash simply said and Mawile managed to reel enough defensive power to take the Close Combat to still stand strong. "Play Rough." And Gallade realized one of its weaknesses as a fighting type. One that being a physic type as well doesn't even help. It is the fact that Fairy type moves like Play Rough still do damage to a fighting type.
"Leaf Blade!"
"Fairy Wind!"
And once again, there was another standstill when both moves met and it was starting to annoy a certain trainer.
"Enough! We are fighting like we have all day! We don't let's go to the next level already!" Korrina shouted and Ash was glad. But to Serena and Pikachu, who were in the audience, it was a wonder and something they never counted on. It was both Ash's Mawile and Korrina's Gallade Mega Evolving!
It wasn't that Gallade was evolving because Serena learned to take the hint as to the Mega Stone attached to its chest. What was shocking was that Ash had performed Mega Evolution and she didn't know he could before this match! She will have a couple of questions once this is finally all over.
Looking at Korrina's Gallade, it was definitely a new Pokémon alright. Now as Mega Gallade, red plates emerge on its arms, and the helmet and cape-like protrusions on its head and back give it a knightly appearance. When the situation demands, Mega Gallade can use its psychic power to reshape both arms into blades simultaneously, and fight using a dual-wielding style. Its upper body becomes white, and the spikes on its head elongate.
And as for Ash's Mawile, now as Mega Mawile, she has a second set of jaws protruding from the back of its head, and both sets now have a spiky tuft of hair. It also seems to be able to control each jaw independently of each other. The ear-like extensions on its head are longer and have tips with two points. The fur on its legs is now magenta. It now has longer fur on its arms with magenta markings around its wrists.
"Stored Power!"
"Sucker Punch!"
Korrina cursed to see that Mawile had landed a hit on Gallade before her Pokémon could use an attack. "Swords Dance!"
"Use Double Team." Ash said wisely, having Mawile increase her evasion to have a better chance of taking any new and improved attack. "Taunt." Now Korrina was shocked that Mawile knew a move that had sent all her plans down the drain, now that Gallade can't use status moves again.
"Stored Power!" Korrina tried that same attack once again and because of Swords Dance, the move was slightly more powerful than before. And yet it didn't do much to a steel type Pokémon like Mawile.
"Play Rough." Ash shouted and everyone noticed that the fairy type move was significantly stronger than before. But how could a Mega Evolution have done so much to it? "Iron Head." Ash commanded and Mawile charged with her forehead embedded some silver energy and hit Gallade very strong. In fact, Gallade looked like it is about to faint,
"It is all or nothing Korrina. Use Iron Head!"
"You bet, Close Combat!"
Mawile charged with silver energy in her forehead while Gallade got ready to strike anything close enough without mercy. And,
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!" The referee announced while a smoke cloud was leaving the battlefield. Apparently, Mawile had to take the blunt of Close Combat because of her neutral relationship to fighting moves because of her typing canceling out any advantage and disadvantage to moves like Close Combat. And meanwhile, Gallade finally feel to the move with STAB power behind it. "And since the gym leader is out of available Pokémon, the winner is Ash Ketchum!"
Ignoring the cheers of the crowd, Ash returned his Pokémon and so did Korrina; who then took out a box from her skater outfit. Inside was the Shalour City Gym Badge. The Badge was shaped like two fists clashing against each other. Ash just placed it in his badge case and turned to see Serena and Pikachu looking at him with a certain expression. He just sighed.
"Can I guess what you want to know?"
"You can try to get it but you will hear it before the day ends Ash Ketchum!" Serena shouted with Pikachu on her shoulder, yelling in unison with the words in his own tongue. It looked kind of cute rather than intimidating. Korrina even giggled before she walked up to Ash,
"And I have a favor to ask of you Ash. I want to see something else before the days ends. If that is okay with you both." Korrina said, making the two trainers and Pokémon out of the ball a little confused.
XXXXX
Later that day, within the Tower of Skill,
"Lucario, Mega Evolve!" Korrina shouted loud and true for her Keystone, simply placed at the back of her glove, to connect to Lucario's Mega Stone, causing the Aura Pokémon to glow and transform. And everyone saw the new form to behold,
Now as Mega Lucario, its cream fur becomes longer, and its thighs slim down. It develops more spikes on the back of its paws, which have turned crimson. It also develops spikes on both of its feet, which have become crimson too. Its aura-sensing appendages grow longer, and two of them are tipped in crimson. Its shoulders also possess a spike each. Its aura heightens throughout its body, which formed black markings on its blue fur.
"And now yours Ash!" Korrina shouted, breaking the trainer and his Lucario out their stupor. Yes, Ash has a Riolu and that was because this one that used to belong to Korrina had suddenly decided to side with the former. It was something about Ash's aura that had made this Lucario decide to switch trainers. But Korrina is not the type to be bitter and admitted that she only trained Lucario so that Aura Pokémon can find the right trainer of itself.
But to the present, Ash took his keystone, uniquely attached to a string hanging off the skim of his hat. "Keystone, take our strong bond and give it form! Mega Evolve Lucario!" And then came Ash's Lucario undergoing Mega Evolution, reaching to the same new form as Korrina's.
"Let's begin! Power-Up Punch!" Korrina called the first move and her Lucario raced with a glowing fist at Ash's Lucario who was just standing and waiting for its first order too.
"Bone Rush on Lucario's attack." Ash simply said and his new Pokémon summoned a bone construct of pure energy that barely caught the Power-Up Punch. "Let go!" Korrina gasped as her Lucario was knocked off balance when Ash's suddenly canceled out its Bone Rush while giving her Lucario no time to react. "Now use Blaze Kick!"
That was a shot in the dark because if Ash called of his Lucario to use a move that it doesn't know, that could spell disaster for the trainer. And yet Korrina was shocked to see Lucario engulfing its foot with flames, and hit the unstable Lucario in the side; that dealt a good amount of damage considering it was a super-effective hit.
"B-but…" Korrina couldn't figure out one of the Lucario she was training could have known that move without her knowing about it.
"Come on! We still have a duel and you can still win so fight for it!" Ash shouted at Korrina who nodded and called out for her Lucario. Thankfully, for her, Korrina's Lucario was still in its Mega Evolution and can still fight.
"Bone Rush!" Korrina shouted. Her Lucario did what got it off balance and charged for Ash and his Lucario.
"Metal Sound." Ash's Lucario rubbed the metal spikes on his arms to stop Korrina's in its tracks. "Now Bone Rush! Projectile!" It was amazing, that a trainer with a Pokémon that he only recently obtained would be such a prefect working team. His Lucario had canceled out his Metal Sound and created a bone of energy, only to throw it like a javelin.
"Block it!" Korrina shouted, not knowing that it wasn't the best tactic that was because,
"Low Kick!" Korrina's Lucario didn't instead deflect that Bone Rush, it could have been prepared for Ash's Lucario to swipe at its feet. With enough force to send that Aura Pokémon onto its back. "Are you trying to win or not!?" Ash shouted with disappointment and his Lucario expressed it too.
"I am!" Korrina shouted back. "Aura Sphere!" Her Lucario got back on its feet and shot out a ball of blue energy at Ash's Lucario.
"Block it with Bone Rush." Ash told his Pokémon but like with Korrina's Lucario, Ash's was tripped with a Low Kick from the other Lucario. "Blaze Kick!" Ash's Lucario managed to collect himself and hit Korrina's Lucario before that Aura Pokémon could move out of the way.
"Power-Up Punch!"
"Match it!"
And when Korrina's Lucario landed into rubble once to a Blaze Kick, both commands shot out at once. And both Pokémon gathered energy to their fist and moved in try and land it on each other. Instead, they collided and it was only the impact force from the collision that landed damaged on them.
"AURA SPHERE!"
"AURA SPHERE!"
Both Lucario struggled to get up from the collision explosion and tried to shoot a ball of energy. And both of them were hit by the attack of the other, causing them more damage. "That will be enough." Ash suddenly said to get Korrina's attention as well as Serena ad Pikachu, who were watching from a safe distance all this time. "If neither of them can fight anymore then there is no need to continue this duel."
And when the battle was over, both Lucario canceled their transformation back to their normal form after using all their energy for their tactics and moves. And as a result, they both were sent back into their Pokéballs with both trainers having a trip to the Pokémon Center in mind. "That was a nice battle, you are definitely a good candidate for your own Keystone. It's yours." Korrina said which was just dandy to Ash but,
"And Serena?" Ash said before the said girl could ask herself. "What does she have to do to prove that she can own her own Keystone? It is just not fair for me to be the only one." Ash said like a humble teenager instead of a usual excited ten-year old; they don't usually think of others when they get a new toy or such.
"I am afraid that there is no spare Keystone left that we have. But we are not the only ones that own Keystones." Korrina made it known. "I will work on finding the nearest owner of a spare Keystone so they can give your girlfriend a test for her own." Korrina said that last part with the purpose of jabbing at how the two trainers are almost like a couple.
But Ash and Serena both didn't seem to appreciate that, "Please. This is nothing to be taken lightly. We have too much on our chests Korrina." Ash said to the gym leader who had the look of guilt on her face. "We will now be on our way." And just like that, the room was emptied out with Korrina standing, head heavy with regret and guilt.
XXXXX
"Here you go trainers. She saved my life but since I am not a sailor, this girl can't come with me. Please take care of here okay?" A man that was right at the entrance to Route 12, between Shalour City and Coumarine City, where the next Pokémon gym is located, said to the trainers. Ash happened to have one open slot among his belt to accept Lapras; no doubt from a habit of his that he developed every time he leaves a town or city on the next route, where new Pokémon await.
{Lapras, the Transport Pokémon. Lapras enjoys carrying people on its back, and it understands what people are saying.}
Lapras is a large sea creature that resembles a plesiosaur. It has a spotted, blue hide with a cream underside. Its neck is long, and it has large black eyes. There is a short horn in the middle of its forehead and curled ears placed farther back on its head. Instead of legs, it has four flippers with the foremost pair being larger than the hind. On its back is a heavy, gray shell covered in blunt knobs.
Lapras is a gentle, helpful Pokémon that enjoys ferrying people across bodies of water. However, this docility has made it an easy target for hunters, who have nearly driven it to extinction. An intelligent Pokémon, it is able to understand human speech. It has been known to travel the seas in large pods. To keep in touch with other of its kind, it sings enchanting melodies. Lapras is native to the seas.
And this one was a lot like Ash, eager for adventure and wanting to help others. She was especially friendly to Serena, comforting the poor girl whenever Ash has to train with his Pokémon alone. And the best part was that Lapras was sent out a lot of times already for training and helping the two young trainers add a few more Pokémon to their Pokédex,
{Slowpoke, the Dopey Pokémon. No one can tell when a Slowpoke is thinking, if it ever does think. Its specialty is fishing with its tail.}
{Exeggcute, the Egg Pokémon. Although it resembles an egg, it is known to be more closely related to the seed of a plant.}
{Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon. This fearsome Pokémon uses its powerful claws to put the squeeze on its opponents.}
{Tauros, the Wild Bull Pokémon. When whipping itself with its three tails, its Tackle is a powerful destructive force.}
{Heracross, the Single Horn Pokémon. Using the sharp claws on its feet, it generates enough power to throw its opponent with amazing force.}
{Miltank, the Milk Cow Pokémon. It is widely known that drinking Miltank milk when you are young helps you to grow up strong and healthy.}
{Pachirisu, the EleSquirrel Pokémon. It gathers static electricity and hides fur balls along with its favorite fruit under the eaves of houses.}
{Chatot, the Music Note Pokémon. It hears words and then mimics them.}
{Mareep, the Wool Pokémon. Mareep stores static electricity in their wooly coat. They avoid battle and have mild dispositions.}
And,
{Wingull, the Seagull Pokémon. It uses its long wings to catch the ocean wind and glide across the sky, and fold them when resting.}
Then there were the Pokémon in the water found and encountered with the help of Lapras;
{Tentacool, the Jellyfish Pokémon. 99% of its body is made up of water.}
{Mantyke, the Kite Pokémon. When it swims close to the surface of the ocean, people aboard ships are able to observe the pattern on its back.}
{Remoraid, the Jet Pokémon. Often found in large groups, Remoraid can fire water and hit targets up to 100 meters away.}
{Octillery, the Jet Pokémon. Octillery attaches its tentacle feet to its opponent before attacking with its hard head.}
{Corsola, the Coral Pokémon. A combination of both Water and Rock types. It sheds and regrows the horns on its head numerous times.}
{Clamperl, the Bivalve Pokémon. Clamperl holds a powerful shell that's useful in not only protecting itself, but also in clamping down on prey.}
{Huntail, the Deep Sea Pokémon. Huntail is the evolved form of Clamperl. It uses its fish shaped tail to entice prey before snapping it up in its large jaws.}
{Gorebyss, the South Sea Pokémon. Gorebyss is the evolved form of Clamperl. A powerful swimmer and beautiful to watch.}
And then there was this Pokémon that Serena couldn't help but catch one and somehow convinced Ash to catch one too;
{Luvdisc, the Rendezvous Pokémon. Luvdisc group together during breeding season, covering the surface of the ocean in a brilliant pink.}
Luvdisc is a fish-like Pokémon with a relatively flat body in the shape of a heart. Loving couples gave this Pokémon its name after spotting it in the ocean waters. It is primarily light pink, with pale lips and circular markings on its cheeks. During the spring, it forms groups that turn the ocean's surface bright pink. Luvdisc lives in warm seas, where it makes its nest in the branches of Corsola or coral reefs.
But all this was topped off by a visit to a Skiddo Ranch, to play with the young Pokémon, and making a discovery of their own. An island just north of Kalos and off Kalos Route 12. It was called Azure Bay. And with the help of Lapras, the two trainer had seen what the bay had in store for them; they had no idea.
"The Azure Bay?" Ash asked one of the fisherman that happened to be at the entrance to the river way that supposedly heads into the North, where the bay is.
"Yes. It is filled with all sorts of Water-type Pokémon. There were even some wild Lapras like yours there. But that is nothing compared to the cave." That same fisherman said and his last sentence had caught their attention.
"Cave? I thought this was a bay. Are you telling us that there is a cave at the bottom of the bay?" Ash asked and the fisherman chuckled.
"I guess you will naturally ask that. But even bays have piece of land that count as islands. And there is this big one right in the center of the bay; the Sea Spirit's Den." The fisherman explained.
"And what is the Sea Spirit's Den?" Serena asked.
"'A pit in the shallows of Azure Bay thought to have been from an ancient outpouring of energy'." The fisherman said in an encrypted tone. "That is what the books and elders say about it. Whenever trainers try to enter the Sea Spirit's Den, they fail since the entrance seems to be alive and rejects just about anyone."
"That doesn't seem to be a good reason to call it the Sea Spirit's Den." Ash remarked and the fisherman just nodded this time.
"The elders are stubborn and say that they heard the sound of birds within the cave and some of them were fisherman like me and saw something of a massive and majestic creature entering the cave. All the while, roaring out a smoothing tone." The fisherman said. "That is why they think that cave is the home or den of the Sea Spirit."
After a while of thinking, Ash had gotten Lapras's attention to face the direction of the Azure Bay. "Thank you sir, we will check out the rest of the bay we can't enter the Sea Spirit's Den. Catch a good one when we come back!"
The fisherman laughed and waved at the two kids aboard the Lapras on their way to the Azure Bay since they were in no rush. They had time to soak in the sights of Kalos between Gym Battles. But this will not be just another adventure in a bay, it will an encounter that will help define Ash's destiny among all the Pokémon in the world.
XXXXX
"Did you have fun Serena? I sure did." Ash said as Lapras was taking a little break on one of the smaller islands on the Azure Bay. They had quite the afternoon exploring the bay as well finding all sorts of treasures; treasures like a Big Pearl, Star Piece, a strange blue plate, a Dive Ball, Heart Scale, Deep Sea Tooth, and a Deep Sea Scale. They even found a Hyper Potion and a TM washed on one of the islands that was labeled as 'X-Scissor'. Then there was that Mega Stone from the old man at the front entrance, he said that it was Ampharosite, for the Pokémon Ampharos.
According to the Pokédex, Ampharos is a yellow, bipedal Pokémon with a white belly. It has conical ears with black stripes and a red orb on its forehead. Its long neck has several black rings around it near the base. Its stubby arms resemble flippers and each foot has a single white nail. It has a long, black-striped tail with a red orb at the tip. The orb on its tail can shine so bright, that it can be seen from space. People have used the light as a beacon, or to send signals across the ocean. Ampharos is generally found in grasslands.
The entry said,
{Ampharos, the Light Pokémon and the final evolved form of Mareep. Because Ampharos' light can be seen from a great distance, people once used that light to communicate by sending signals back and forth.}
But back to the couple of trainers, Serena, who had been clutching Ash's arm, just nodded. And then she said, "I did have fun. It was so romantic." Ash didn't seem have a face to show how much he appreciated that remark.
"I didn't think of Pokémon catching and adventures were romantic. No wonder I was also nervous today." Ash muttered honestly but was silenced by Serena moving to kiss him on the cheek.
"I am a trainer too Ash. I find doing the same thing with another trainer that is you to be romantic. And at least you are honest about it all." Serena said, not even opening her eyes from the warmth of Ash's arm. "I am glad that there is no one here to have anything to say about our great time together."
Ash didn't know what to say to that so he just gently nodded and embraces Serena tighter slightly until the two were completely one, resting on the side of Lapras that they were facing. And for being an Ice-type, Lapras sure was a comfortable and warm Pokémon to rest on.
[Chosen One…] But Ash wasn't going to have a long nap at all when he started to hear that name with some mystic tone, like hearing it from an angel. He tried to ignore it since Serena wanted to keep sleeping,
[Chosen One…Special One…] This time, Serena also stirred from her peaceful sleep, saving Ash a lot of trouble to do it himself.
"Did you hear that Ash?" Serena asked and Ash had to choose his words perfectly for a girl like her that woke from her romantic nap.
"I heard 'Chosen One' and 'Special One'. How about you?" Ash said the best he could and saw that Serena heard it as well. Nodding with serenity was hard to fake.
[Chosen One, Special One please come…] The two noticed that the voice was not only clear to them but to Lapras and the three turns to the cave that was confirmed to be the Sea Spirit's Den by the same old man that gave them a Mega Stone. [Please come to our home. We await you.]
"Home?" Ash asked softly, "Do they mean the Sea Spirit's Den? I thought only Pokémon can enter it."
"Maybe they will let us enter since they are asking us to come there." Serena suggested and with that look, Ash just couldn't say 'no'.
"Okay then. Hope this is good since we were fast asleep." Ash said and Serena giggled at that comment. And after that, they both boarded Lapras to head towards the island they found the strange blue plate. And unlike before, there was this human sized entrance with a waterway for Lapras to also enter the cave. At least they won't leave Ash's latest Pokémon out of the action.
"No way!" Ash shouted when he and Serena managed to work their way through the dark and into the center of the cave. There were these outlines of giant, bird like creatures that Serena didn't recognize but Ash sure did. 'B-but how can this be!? They are among the rarest Pokémon to be found! Even in their native land of Kanto! The three legendary birds!'
Ash couldn't believe what he was seeing, he only heard of them in books on the legends of Kanto. And how only the real experts can even get a chance to see them. And they all are here in one single location. Just what god did Ash appease to the extent that he was granted such powerful luck? He didn't know.
"Ash?" Serena managed to get his attention, "W-what are they?" Ash didn't speak a word and only pointed his Pokédex with a shaky arm. Yet the device managed to scan them and display their names.
{Articuno, the Freeze Pokémon. This Legendary Pokémon, with wings like thin sheets of ice, is believed to possess the ability to freeze water vapor and create snow.}
Articuno is a large avian Pokémon with predominantly blue plumage and large wings said to be made of ice. It has a head crest that consists of three, darker blue rhombus-shaped feathers on its forehead and circular red eyes. Its beak is short and gray, and its long, thin legs are gray. It has a long, streamer-like tail that is longer than its body and the same shade of blue as its crest.
When Articuno flaps its wings, it can chill the moisture in the air around it, making snow fall. It flies from icy mountain to icy mountain. According to legend, it appears before doomed travelers lost in icy regions. Articuno lives in cold, isolated locations, such as mountain peaks.
{Zapdos, the Electric Pokémon. Zapdos has both electric and flying elements and the flapping of its wings can create lightning.}
Zapdos is an avian Pokémon with predominantly yellow plumage. Black rings encircle its eyes, and it has a long, thin, light orange beak. Its wings and tail are a mass of spiky feathers, with black feathers covering the back of its wings and inner tail feathers. A large crest of spiked feathers surrounds its head. Its thighs are a khaki color, and it has anisodactyl feet ending in talons.
When Zapdos flaps its glittering wings, it releases electricity that can potentially cause thunderstorms. It produces massive crackling and snapping sounds when it flies; these are attributed to the lightning bolts sheds when airborne. When stricken by lightning, it gains power. Zapdos reportedly appears only during thunderstorms, and is said to live among thunderclouds. However, it is rarely seen.
{Moltres, the Flame Pokémon. So powerful, its fire dust can bring early spring to wintery land.}
Moltres is a large, avian Pokémon with orange or golden plumage. It has a long, flowing head crest and a billowing tail, both made of flames. Additionally, its wings are also shrouded in fiery plumage. Its straight, pointed beak is brown, as are its anisodactyl feet. It has short talons.
Moltres sheds embers with every flap of its wings, creating a brilliant flash of flames. By dipping itself into the magma of an active volcano, this Pokémon can heal itself. It migrates to the south with the coming of spring, and is said to bring an early springtime to cold lands. Moltres is rarely seen by Trainers.
And then there was this thing that was the most surprising and shocking out of seeing the three Legendary Birds of Kanto in the cave. It was like a small group of fireflies or something that were moving around a certain spot, causing it to glow. When Ash and Serena noticed that the three Legendary Pokémon hadn't moved an inch since they arrived and labeled them by name, they noticed that the three were starting at the sight. They went to get closer when,
[Welcome Chosen One, Special One…welcome to our home. Our true home.] That voice from before was even clearer and true than ever before. This has to be where it was coming from.
"Who are you!? Have you always looked like this?" Ash said boldly while Serena was hiding behind him, frightened by the sight and how it is somehow speaking.
[Unfortunately, I cannot show my true form. It is locked out of this sacred region by the Barrier of Passing. Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres were the only ones that arrived before it settled.] The voice spoke and Ash had to think on what it meant until,
"You mean the fog that I fell into from the S.S. Anne and is now surrounding Kalos!?" Ash proclaimed.
[Indeed. The Barrier of Passing is in the form of a fog to all lifeforms and only the creator has the power to remove it and restore the passing of time between this scared land and the rest of the world's ocean.]
"So what about your name. Can't you at least tell us that much?" Ash asked, taking all this in.
[No. A high force and authority, one that I can't deny or anyone else with all their own might. I am under orders to only guide you while not revealing too much about the world. You will find it all out here in this region and in the distant future Chosen One.] The same voice explained and Ash felt a little disappointed that he was listening to a voice belonging to someone who is refusing to reveal its name.
"I don't know what is it with this 'Chosen One' stuff but tell us this. And we are not going anywhere until he get a better answer than all this." Ash bravely said into the unknown creature that is speaking to them. "How is taking to a faceless creature who can't even reveal its name going to help us! You probably aren't going to say who caused the fog around Kalos!"
[…] The voice was silent but the trainers could tell that it is still there. [Yes I can't. And to answer your primary question; you were brought here to learn that there is a terrible force of evil and a hunted force of good in this scared land. Now they are both trapped by the Barrier of Passing, the world will soon fall in disaster due to the imbalance. You are to face them both and complete a piece of your destiny, with the help of Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres.]
"You mean that this won't be the last time I will come across any of this!? Why must I run into danger everywhere I go and drag my friends into the mess!?" Ash yelled. "Am I the Chosen One, as in the person who can never have a day without trouble!?"
[Whatever or not you accept all this Chosen One, it is your destiny that started the day you were born. And fate is making sure that it fulfilled, no matter what you do.] That same voice said. [But if you save this region and protect it, then you will soon free this scared region and continue on your life journey and learn more about your destiny. Good luck and we will meet again Chosen One, Special One.]
And after Ash, Serena and Pikachu left the Sea Spirit's Den with the help of Lapras, the cave closed up and the traveling trainers and Pokémon never saw the three majestic birds or heard from that unknown voice ever again. Not until their times in Kalos is over and it will be in the other corners of the world. The Pokémon World that will never stop revealing secrets to all those who are bold and determined enough to seek the truth.
End of Chapter 11.
*Hello everyone! I have finally finished this chapter after a while. It was hard to finally find the inspiration for Ash's gym battle. It is so hard to come up with an original battle sequence and this one took the cake.
Another thing is that I am making Ash see the legendary birds for the first time because the movie in which Ash also encounters them all actually took place after the Kanto journey. So I am making them appear at the Sea Spirit's Den since it works like that in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. And since each of the birds were supposed to appear to a trainer who choose a certain starter Pokémon; I am causing this to happen to Ash and Serena, who both have all the start Pokémon present and chosen.
Pokémon on Hand;
Ash – Pikachu (Male), Doublade (Male), Pawniard (Male), Mawile (Female), Durant (Female), Lucario (Male), Ferroseed (Female), Fletchinder (Male), Skiddo (Male), and Lapras (Female).
Serena – Braixen (Female), Plusle & Minun (Female), Mr. Mime (Female), Cubone (Male) and Kangaskhan (Female).
Off Hand;
Ash – Ledian (Female), Kadabra (Female), Snorlax (Male), and Smeargle (Male), Sableye (Male), Quilladin (Male), Frogadier (Female) and Luvdisc (Male).
Serena – Furfrou (Male), Spritize (Male), Swirlix (Female), Audino (Female) and Luvdisc (Female).
I know that Ash is acting like a sensitive man because I am one too, guilty. And I can tell what a sort of man will do when he sees the people he knows to not be happy with him. They just don't want to do it anymore.