Ash the Iron Trainer

by Mar 'Darry' Darren

It was a freak storm. One that separated Ash from Misty and Brock but not with Pikachu. And yet Ash was able to find an entire new region and be reunited with a friend that he never thought he will see again. With four young Pokémon found in a crate as eggs, Ash will take this new region and in the future, Kanto with skill and Mega Evolution!

24. The Heated Battle Of Fire and Flame

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

The Heated Battle with Flames!

Previously on Ash the Iron Trainer;

"There it is." Ash said before he felt the breath in his lung left him, just like the final Battle Chateau with Serena. And if that place was a palace instead of a castle, this one was like both. It was as big as a palace but rather than marble, it appeared to have been made with the bricks used to form the Kalos style castles.

"Are you ready Ash? This is going to be a very important step in your career as a trainer." Ash turned and nodded to the sound of Serena's concern.

"Yes I am. I have made it this far and no matter what happens, I will still have fought the Elite Four." Ash said with confidence. "I will fight to win, because that is all the matters to me and my Pokémon." Serena and Pikachu nodded.

When Ash restocked his bag, rechecked his supplies and reviewed his team thrice, it was time to try it. To try the Pokémon League, with all but one trainer unknown while their strength hasn't been seen yet. Who knows how far above the Gym Leaders the Elite Four are?

Once Ash had gone through the large doors, the hallway branched off like a fork in a road. Both of the corridors had paintings placed on the far-off walls from the sides of the castle. "Let's try this one." Serena pointed the one to the right and Ash nodded, both of them had a good idea that these corridors lead to the same room ahead; having two of them was probably just an excuse to have more decorations.

And, as they hunched, the two corridors met and led to the same room. This one was like a regal lobby. They were coming out one of the exits that made with plain brick and they noticed more doors. There was this shiny door that was between the two exits out to the two corridors. Then there were the four doors a head, each with its own color.

"Greetings, you must be the rising stars of Kalos." The two trainers turned to see a familiar face. It was the woman who appeared on the Holo-Cast announcement they received as soon as they forced Team Flare out of the Pokémon Factory. "Ash Ketchum, the Iron Trainer and the one who ultimately caused the end of Lysandre and Team Flare. And Serena, who became a Duchess in record time. You two are like a pair of king and queen when you had your uniforms on."

The two trainers felt the need to be shy and blush at the praise. Ash was just glad to not hear the title made-up for him. It is not worth to have a reputation when you are unsure if you can live up to it. "That's us without a doubt. How about you miss?" Ash then asked and the woman nodded,

"You are looking at a member of the Kalos Elite Four, Malva of the Fire Types!" She announced and the two trainers looked like they wish to actually be amused. "Everyone is a critic." Malva muttered with a little disappointment. "Anyhow, you are allowed to try at any one of us in any order, young Ash. I will be in my room, the Blazing Chamber, behind this door." Malva pointed to one of the colored doors, the one that is flame-red, through which she entered.

Ash and Serena just gazed at that door for a couple of moments, "You are going in there, right?" Serena than said, with the awkward atmosphere being stressed in her voice,

"You know why and I won't choose an older woman over you Serena." Ash said in a similar tone and then gave his companion a passionate kiss. One that she gave back with the same amount of feeling. Pikachu giggled to see the pair of ten-year-olds going at it like adults letting loose to each other. It was only a few moments later that Ash broke from Serena and walked through the doorway.

In the Blazing Chamber, on the left and right side of the platform, two huge pipes reside. At first, they are dormant, but once the player enters the Chamber, the pipes initially puff up two small flames each, before sending two huge pillars of fire into the ceiling, raging the whole time.

"So you decided to go for little ol' me as your first challenge." Malva said, looking rather comfy on her throne. "Alright then, Savior of Kalos, I accept. And I am no pushover with my Fire Pokémon either."

"I will release my first Pokémon, Pyroar!" Malva said and sent out the Royal Pokémon which the name brings up Lysandre but this one was not the Pyroar that the madman noble used. As one of the few species with painfully obvious gender differences, this Pyroar was female with a feminine figure and the hair in a long ponytail rather than a large mane with red streaks like the shape of a Fire Blast.

"Time for your first official battle, Hydreigon!" Ash pulled a rather risky move; he just caught that Hydreigon out of the wild and barely had any time to train him with Ash in a hurry and that the other trainers only gave so much experience for this Hydreigon. Ash could only hope that Hydreigon's Dragon typing will give him an edge against a Fire type master like Malva. "First use Tri Attack!"

"Echoed Voice." Malva calmly commanded. And her Pyroar's scream was able to dissipate the Tri Attack. "It is either that you have something that I am not seeing or else you are more reckless than the other trainers that tried to face us in the past." Malva pointed out, "And using a Dragon type against my Fire types might sound good on paper but I am still a member of the Elite Four, don't underestimate me or my team. Now use Fire Blast!"

This one was almost as fierce as the Fire Blast used by Lysandre's own Pyroar. And when Hydreigon was hit, the chamber was filled with its great pain. That Fire Blast enough to harm a Dragon type like Hydreigon. "Shake it off while using Roost!" Ash called out and Hydreigon laid down on the ground trying to ignore the flames until the burns were all healed; but a couple of them were still visible, "You made your point Malva, now rise up and use Dragon Rush!"

Hydreigon glared at Pyroar for a moment and then soared up like a rocket. Once near the ceiling, the Brutal Pokémon charged down with her entire body covered with blue energy. "Like we are just going to be sitting ducks, use Overheat!" Pyroar opened her mouth and sent out a vortex of flames at the incoming Hydreigon,

"Move according to the fire, Hydreigon!" Ash called out and the Brutal Pokémon was able to figure out the movements of the Overheat and dodged that attack, right before landing the hit hard on Pyroar. "Now use Focus Blast at close range!"

"Overheat!" Malva shouted out, Ash had surprised her again so there is no time to waste getting aligned with his style and timing again. And the same can be said for her Pyroar, trying to stop the Focus Blast with Overheat. But,

"Back up the Focus Blast with Dark Pulse!" Malva was now impressed with Ash and his Hydreigon, who able to fuel the Focus Blast with the power of a Dark Pulse, becoming a black and red sphere of energy that overpowered the Overheat and dealt massive damage to the Pyroar.

"Time to change tactics, use Endeavor!" Malva called out and Pyroar rushed out to charge at Hydreigon, of course causing the Brutal Pokémon to be flown back with barely any more health than the Pyroar. "Now use Flamethrower!"

Pyroar felt like her body was slowly and painfully crumbling but this was a Pokémon that refuses to back down. And she was glad to see the same determination in Hydreigon's eyes when Ash called, "Dragon Pulse!"

Both Pokémon poured out their remaining energy to match at their S.T.A.B. attack beams. And, after a few moments, both of them were already at the ground as they struggled to keep it up and hopefully get the edge over the other. That was when Hydreigon roared along with her Dragon Pulse attack that got Pyroar to surrender her focus and let the attack hit her.

"Now use Dragon Tail!" Ash knew that while Pyroar took a bad hit, she is still a Pokémon of the Elite Four, one hit or otherwise will just end the matchup right here and then.

But while Ash was planning to send Pyroar back into her Pokéball, with another Pokémon coming out, the Royal Pokémon fell when that Dragon Tail became a critical hit. Ash was proud of his Hydreigon and can tell that the Brutal Pokémon felt pride as well; and the panting showed how tired Hydreigon was. Malva could see that while returning her Pokémon to her ball.

"Now come and heat things up further, Torkoal!" Malva let loose the same Pokémon from Route 18. According to the Pokédex entirety from that time, Torkoal is a tortoise-like, quadruped Pokémon. It has a large black rock-like shell with holes that glow with a red warmth. Its skin is reddish brown with gray-black bands on its legs and neck. It has a long neck and its eyes seem permanently closed. Torkoal lives in mountains, where it looks for coal. It uses the coal to fill the hollow spaces in its shell, and then burns it for energy. When it blows out smoke from its nostrils and the top of its back, it sounds like a locomotive horn. It blows out black smoke before fleeing and while being attacked.

"First use Curse." Malva commanded her Torkoal to glow with eerie energy. "Now use Flame Wheel!" Torkoal roared before becoming a wheel made of flames, charging for Hydreigon.

"Double Team and then Roost!" Ash called out a weird combo but Hydreigon did anyways. Now Torkoal will have to find the real Hydreigon among the various afterimages that showed the Brutal Pokémon resting, healing and restoring his energy. But Torkoal was quick to dish out damage to the copies before there was only on Hydreigon left in sight. "Now use Tri Attack to corner Torkoal!"

This time, Hydreigon was able to use Tri Attack for real. And from her right hand came a burst of lighting, the left hand was a beam of icy energy while her mouth sent out a swirl of fire. But Torkoal burned through it all with its flames before launching itself into the air and at Hydreigon!

"Take it to use Payback!" Ash called out a last resort-type move and while Hydreigon had to feel flames a lot like the ones from the Pyroar, she was able to deal massive damage in dark beams with Payback.

"Now use Stone Edge." Malva then commanded once both Torkoal landed on the ground, with Hydreigon crashing into the hard floor. The Coal Pokémon then summoned a barrage of sharpen stones, sent against the weaken and hurt Hydreigon. The Brutal Pokémon couldn't hold on any longer.

"Thanks Hydreigon, we finally had you fight a Pokémon Trainer instead of wild encounters." Ash said as he returned the Brutal Pokémon to her ball. "Now if you fight physically, then face my juggernaut Malva! Go Snorlax!"

Malva giggled when the floor shook, with both her and Torkoal flying off for a few seconds too. "That's a juggernaut alright and I've never seen a Snorlax look so determined to fight in all my life. I will love to see more; Torkoal, use Flame Wheel!"

"Belly Drum!" Ash called out and Snorlax's first move was to treat his oversized girth to intimate a drum sound while glowing red with energy. But once Snorlax lost half his energy, he also took out a Sitrus Berry to regain some of the health he traded away. And a good thing because when Torkoal met Snorlax, the Sleeping Pokémon was able to send the Coal Pokémon flying with just a backhand swipe. "Now use Body Slam!"

"Iron Defense!" Now the roles have switched and Torkoal barely held in when it had to deal with the heaviest Normal type Pokémon in the world on its shell. "Lava Plume!" That took a few moments but Snorlax was forced to get off of Torkoal.

"Inferno!"

"Giga Impact!"
Ash and Malva shouted off, for a showdown that will decide who will win this match-up. Torkoal let loose a powerful ball of fire that can only be described as an inferno while Snorlax charged with physical power glowing bright enough to illuminate the chamber. With both Pokémon and their attacks met, there was a struggle but Snorlax was able to make through with the help of his Thick Fat ability.

But that will mean Ash will have to recall Snorlax, because it is not fitting to force a Pokémon to stay on a battlefield when they have to feel the effects of moves like Giga Impact. Malva knew that and made no comment when they both recalled their Pokémon. Ash was doing quite well but the match had just started.

"Now this will be a Pokémon you probably haven't seen before, Chandelure!" But Ash sure did, with a trainer back on Route 21. The look on his face said it all, "Whatever kid."

Chandelure is a Pokémon that resembles a sentient chandelier. It has a striped, round head, and round, pupil-less yellow eyes. There is a ring of small, black spikes on top of its head with a tall, purple flame in the middle. From a black spike below its head, black arms curl upward. These arms are tipped with purple fire. Chandelure's fires do not burn its victims physically, instead burning their spirit. After hypnotizing its opponent by waving these flames, it absorbs the victim's spirit.

"I have just the Pokémon for this, go Greninja!" Ash called out and Malva actually smirked in an amused way.

"So this is the Greninja that I heard so much about. The one with the hidden ability Protean." Malva pointed but Ash didn't say a word the whole time, "But let's see about that with Energy Ball!" Chandelure created a sphere of green energy and sent towards Greninja.

"Mat Block!" Ash called out and Greninja used the remaining signature move that she has. Earlier on his journey, Ash overheard on how the signature moves of the three fully evolved Kalos Starters were now being used by other Pokémon species. Only Mat Block remained exclusive to a Greninja.

What Mat Block does is that it works similar to Fake Out, it is a high priority move that blocks most attacks like Protect or Detect. But like Fake Out, it can only be used during the first round, the cost for its power. Regardless, the Mat Block did work against Energy Ball. "Now use Double Team!"

"Try Shadow Ball, at every one of the afterimages!" Malva shouted once Greninja moved a lot like Hydreigon from earlier. And when Chandelure pushed itself to use Shadow Ball on every one Greninja in sight, they all went through harmlessly! "So the rumors are turn-."

"Hydro Pump!" Ash called out and Greninja, with all her afterimages, jumped up to send out a large flood of water each.

"Overheat!" Malva shouted and her Chandelure just barely protected itself with a large vortex of flames surrounding the Luring Pokémon. "Use Flame Burst in all directions!" Chandelure then spun around, sending flames all over the battlefield that are bound to hit the Greninja scattered across it.

"Night Slash!" Ash called out and his Greninja charged in through an opening they both spotted. That stopped Chandelure in its tracks, just right for this last move, "Hydro Pump!"

Malva was actually more amused than annoyed to see one of her Pokémon go done a lot like a Gym Leader's. "All well, I haven't trained my Chandelure like the rest of my Pokémon and I can easily see that your Greninja is among your most powerful Pokémon."

"She was there when I first started at the humble town of Santalune City. I have trained her as hard as the four that gave me the name of 'Iron Trainer'." Ash actually responded. "Now I will have to dismiss her since we both were a little let down by this match-up." To prove this, Greninja didn't even twitch when Ash returned her back into the Pokéball.

"Okay then kid." Malva said after returning her Chandelure, "Now come out and soar with the sun, Talonflame!" Ash smirked, this Talonflame almost reminded him of his own. But Ash is not going to use his Talonflame against Malva, instead it's going to be…

"Snorlax, come on back!" Ash chose to send out his 'juggernaut' of a Pokémon again since he had to return him on account of the effects of the Giga Impact. "First use-." "Me First!" Malva shouted and her Talonflame acted out the move before Snorlax could. This wasn't what Ash or Snorlax had seen coming, and so Talonflame was put to sleep. "What?"

"…thanks, I guess that I can try that with my own Talonflame someday." Ash could only say in the face the turn of events. "Now use Belly Drum and then Rest this time!
Ash then called out and Snorlax was able to do it without a hitch since Talonflame was asleep first, and seemingly helpless to do anything about it. "Now shake yourself awake and Crunch!"

Malva was surprised and really impressed to see Snorlax literally shake himself awake from Rest and moved in to use his large jaws on Talonflame. Of course, this also rose the Scorching Pokémon from its slumber. "Okay, this never happened before." Malva commented on this and as a response, the chamber had the cricket sound that followed absolute silence. "So let's start off, use Brave Bird!"

Talonflame then shot up into the sky and swooped down to charge for Snorlax, covered with bright blue energy. And Snorlax knew that it was going to hurt if it landed, "Use Defensive Curl!" Ash called out and his Sleeping Pokémon didn't question him on such a command. After all, curling into a ball and increasing defensive power had soften the blow from the Brave Bird somewhat. "Now get Talonflame off of you and to the ground!"

Snorlax roared before grabbing Talonflame forcibly and got ready to send the Scorching Pokémon to the ground when, "Flail!" Malva kept the stakes up when Talonflame started to panic and peck at Snorlax's arm as a form of the move Flail. "Now use Overheat!" This finally got Snorlax to let Talonflame go. "Now use Brave Bird again!"

Talonflame was going for the same strike again and now Ash will have to think of something too if this match is going to go on any further. "Crunch!" Snorlax moved in to meet Talonflame's Brave Bird to let his jaws on the Scorching Pokémon. "Now finish this!"

"Talonflame!" Malva shouted out but the Snorlax was not only an immovable Pokémon but had the strength as a pack of bulls, that much power is especially deadly to a Flying type Pokémon who has to have light bones in order to life off the ground. It was like a hand-sized rock against a sparrow.

"You really are one of a kind, Ash." Malva finally said once she saw that her Talonflame was swiftly defeated. But she could see that Snorlax was getting rather exhausted from all this. No doubt that Snorlax is one that is not only the most enthusiastic that she ever seen, he was also one that wants his trainer to win to that extent.

"Now come, my ace; Houndoom!"

{Houndoom, the Dark Pokémon. The evolved form of Houndour. Houndoom's eerie howl is said to cause those who hear it to shudder in fear.}

Houndoom is a quadruped, canine Pokémon that is mainly black with a long orange snout and an orange underbelly. It has small, red eyes and a black nose. Around its neck is a white band with a small skull-shaped pendant on its throat. There are two white bands on each of its ankles, as well as three rib-like ridges on its back. Houndoom has a long, skinny tail with a triangular tip and three clawed toes on each paw. On top of its head is a pair of long, curved gray horns. These horns are smaller on the female than the male.

In a Houndoom pack, the one with its horns raked sharply towards the back serves a leadership role. Leadership is determined by fights within the pack. Its gut is full of toxins, which are used to create fire. This gives Houndoom's fire a foul odor and the wounds it inflicts will never heal. Houndoom appears near rough terrain areas. Its howling induces shivering in other Pokémon, and often sends them scurrying back to their nests.

"Use Inferno on Snorlax!" Malva was more aggressive and so was Houndoom, compared to the rest of the match. And judging by how Houndoom was much faster than the other Fire Pokémon, this was definitely Malva's ace. "Now use Foul Play!"

Ash knew that Snorlax had met his match with Houndoom used Foul Play to use his enhanced attack power against him. And Snorlax almost feel unconscious when,

"Use Rest and then Snore!" The Sleeping Pokémon then rested again to get all his health back and then literally snored up an outcry that actually helped out when the Snore attack echoed through the chamber. Houndoom was feeling the Snore attack over and over again and it hurt every time.

And to make Snorlax even more amazing and interesting, he awoke from Rest by his own Snore attack! "Prefect Snorlax, now use Giga Impact!" Ash called out for his Snorlax to charge at Houndoom again while the Dark Pokémon was flinching from the echoing Snore attack. And the chamber was soon filled with the sound of Houndoom howling in pain from the powerful hit, kicking off a cloud of smoke when Houndoom hit the wall of the chamber.

But while Snorlax was cringing to feel the effects of Giga Impact, waiting for the effects to wear off, it was to no avail. Houndoom got up and out of the smoke cloud, looking only bruised! It is like physical attacks barely work on this Houndoom, only special attacks. "I think you will find my Houndoom very special, a lot like one of your very first ones. She was a gift, a daughter of a Houndoom that I met years ago." Malva commented on Ash's shock and nervousness.

"And she was born knowing this move…" Malva said, "Punishment!" Ash widen his eyes. He had heard of Punishment from his Pokédex, a very powerful Dark type move. And its power came from the stat changes of the target. Which includes Belly Drum!

"SNORLAX!" Ash could only yell to see Houndoom glow dark purple and strike down on Snorlax hard. And this time, the 'juggernaut' finally fell. Ash returned his Snorlax and thanked the Sleeping Pokémon before going his most risky move for that entire match-up.

"Go Venusaur!" Malva raised her eyebrow, she was expecting Ash to pick out another Pokémon with at least a resistance to Fire type moves and a Gras type is the complete opposite.

"It is either that you have a plan up your sleeve or you really are just a reckless boy." Malva responded, feeling the sense of Déjà vu. "Now Houndoom, use Flamethrower!"

"Light Screen!" Ash called out and Venusaur created a bright box around herself that blocked the Flamethrower from Houndoom. "Call it reckless, call me a fool but I am going to give my all to Venusaur and this match."

"Most trainers are scared to death to say such things." Malva said. "Are you really going to throw away any chance to win this match, with a greater chance to lose?" Ash didn't say a word. "Fine then, I will give you a disadvantage; I won't call for any Fire type moves but I will still fight to win. It is only because you are cute when you are so serious."

Ash was still silent and made his move, "Use your own egg move, Grass Whistle!" Ash commanded and the mighty Venusaur, he sang. Sung a song that was so calmly that Houndoom was feeling drowsy.

"Fight it to use Nasty Plot and then Shadow Ball!" Malva shouted and while Houndoom was able to increase her special attack power, the Grass Whistle had completed its work. The Dark Pokémon feel to the ground, taking a nap. "Houndoom!"

"Leech Seed and then Double Edge!" Ash called out and Venusaur sprouted out several seeds and vines that covered the sleeping Houndoom. That was a back-up measure when the Seed Pokémon charged towards Houndoom with her entire body covered with bright energy. Once that move sent Houndoom rolling back a few feet, Venusaur felt the recoil damage but the energy he got from the Leech Seed had helped somewhat. "Now use Frenzy Plant!"

Ash had a different approach to Frenzy Plant. Rather than attacking the target with large, spiked vines that will just disappear, Venusaur will manipulate his Frenzy Plant to also bind the target in the large vine stalks. And Houndoom awoke to find herself stuck among the vines that hurt slightly due to her resistance to Grass attacks.

"Get out with Overheat!" Malva was relieved to see her ace finally awake, but still suffering from the Leech Seed that healed Venusaur from using Double Edge. Of course, the Overheat had easily burned through the Frenzy Plant vines and even the Leech Seeds attached to her body.

"It's time to go for the flame on!" Malva then said and shifted one of the frames of her orange-titled glasses to show a Keystone! And her Houndoom used his paw to shift his collar to reveal something that hidden from sight, a larger stone with the cat-eye pattern and with the colors of pure black and pure red.

Ash scanned this new Houndoom once she had finished her transformation,

{This Pokémon has now undergone its Mega Evolution. It retains its Dark and Fire typing. It now has the Ability Solar Power, which activates under harsh sunlight; it damages the user slightly while increasing its Special Attack power.

As Mega Houndoom, the ridges on its back thicken, and it gains additional, bone-like rings around the base of its tail. The rings on its tail have small spikes on top, causing them to resemble vertebrae. The ridge at the base of Mega Houndoom's neck is longer and curves forward towards its shoulders. Instead of a band with a skull pendant, there is a large, toothed structure around its neck. This bone-like formation has two large spikes on either side and three pointed teeth on the bottom. Mega Houndoom's horns now point straight up with a small, outward curve in the middle. The two bands on its hind legs have vanished, and those on its forelegs are broken in the front. Its claws are a dark red due to its ability to generate more heat. Finally, the tip of its tail is now split down the middle.

"If you want to go out then so will we!" Ash shouted and revealed his own Keystone which alerted Venusaur and made her smirk. "Keystone, respond to our hearts! Give us the power to keep fighting and to overcome the odds that stare us down! Mega Evolve!"

And, like with Houndoom, Ash scanned the new form of his Venusaur;

{This Pokémon has achieved its Mega Evolution. It retains its Grass and Poison Tying. It gains the ability Thick Fat, which lowers the power of Fire and Ice type attacks on the user.}

As Mega Venusaur, the flower on its back grows larger and two smaller pink flowers bloom, one on its forehead and one on its rear. The weight of the flower causes its legs to become sturdier in order to support it. Additional leaves with woody stems, which are supported by vines, are grown around the flower. Mega Venusaur also develops dark markings on its forehead below the new flower.

"Oh, is that why you risked Venusaur against my Houndoom?" Malva asked a rhetorical question. "Well now Venusaur is now a Mega Venusaur, I won't have to hold back. Use Flamethrower!"

Mega Houndoom shot out a large stream of flames, greater than any other during the whole match. But Mega Venusaur didn't even flinch and took the Fire type attack with the help of her new Thick Fat ability, the same one that helped Snorlax. "It took a long time but Venusaur's new ability works just like Snorlax's." Ash commented, "Now use Toxic!"

Mega Venusaur shot out tentacles of venom from the large opened flower on her back. And for being a Poison type still, Toxic barely misses and this was a sure-shot. Now Mega Houndoom can either defeat Mega Venusaur or lose to the poison that will slowly but surely eat away at all her health and energy.

"We won't go down like that, use Dark Pulse!" Malva shouted and her Mega Houndoom shout out the same beam of dark energy but much more powerful. Thick Fat won't help Mega Venusaur with that attack.

"Petal Blizzard!" Ash called out and Mega Venusaur pulled out a new move, a storm of flower petals sharpened by the wind. And this Petal Blizzard met the Dark Pulse, halting the beam of dark energy and damaging Mega Houndoom lightly. "Now use Earthquake!"

"Jump!" Malva shouted and Mega Houndoom barely got out of the damage range of the Earthquake attack. "Dive in and use Crunch!" Mega Venusaur howled in pain when Mega Houndoom sank in large and sharp teeth into her skin.

"Use Leaf Storm outward!" Ash called out and Mega Venusaur created a makeshift hurricane of sharp leaves that pecked at the Mega Houndoom, trying to keep her teeth in. "Now get Mega Houndoom off!" Mega Venusaur had the evil glint in her eyes and got all the leaves to attack Mega Houndoom on the muzzle, irritating the Dark Pokémon. Mega Venusaur then took this movement of distraction to tip over and slammed Mega Houndoom on the ground until the teeth finally got out of her hide.

And when Mega Houndoom did get back up, the poison from the Toxic had actually drained away all the energy in one of her legs. "You know…" Malva started off, "You really are the most amusing and interesting trainer. You have trained so hard that you are not equal with my team, but you are slightly stronger."

"What about it?" Ash responded and Malva nodded,

"How about a real wager, that I am sure you tried before, you lucky boy." Malva answered and Ash narrowed his eyes. Of course, he knew what Malva had in mind.

"One attack from both sides, nothing heled back. Winner of the wager is the winner of the match overall." Ash said and Malva smirked,

"So, are you man enough to up it?" Malva asked with a seductive voice but Ash was more focused than he ever gave off and didn't even twitch his eye to Malva's tone. "Okay then…"

"INFERNO!"
"VENOSHOCK!"

It happened in an instant. The entire battlefield was covered with smoke, that had the colors of flames and smell of venom. Ash and Malva held their breath in to see who was the ultimate winner. That was because, for the first time, Malva was having a real challenge with Ash.

The smoke finally cleared after a few moments to see that Mega Venusaur had powered down and wasn't moving. No one said a word and as Ash was going to switch out a Pokémon, a thud was heard. Mega Houndoom also lost her Mega Evolved form and there were swirls on her eyes. And with this Pokémon down, Malva's team lost!

"Congratulations!" Malva started clapping to get Ash out of his stupor. She can easily see that Ash is trying to get the fact stick to his head that he just defeated an Elite Four level trainer. "You have good instincts about your Pokémon and how to train them! I had a lot of fun this match!"

"I just didn't want to run in blind because I know you and I am saving another trainer here for last." Ash then spoke up and Malva raised her eyebrow. She then shrugged,

"That's fine. Trainers that make it here with eight badges are allowed to choose the order of trainers like I said earlier." Malva replied. "But I can tell you about the other Elite Four trainers if…" Ash braced for what Malva might demand of him and yet, "If you walk with me out of this hot room and back into the lobby. Your girl Serena will want to find out about how you showed your skills." Ash just nodded.

XXXXX

And the trip wasn't terrible as Ash would have thought. All they needed was to go through the same corridor leading to the Chamber. And Serena was still outside, staring at the red door. "And why are walking out with an older woman, Ash!?" Malva chuckled to hear such a fierce tone in Serena's voice; most women have to wait years of maturing in order to get the gift that keeps their men in check.

"None of the sort, Kalos Princess…" Malva simply responded which made Serena more embarrassed than loudly confused. She just couldn't find the words or anger to stare at Malva. "I only wish to walk your shiny armor knight back out of my Chamber. There is something that I need to tell you both because I, the great and hot Malva (cue the unamused glares), need the judgement of ten-year-olds." Now cue the confused stares.

But that was not going to last when the hallway shook to the volume of this,

"YOU WORKED FOR TEAM FLARE!?"

Malva moaned of a headache to hear such an outburst; then again, she couldn't expect anything less than two trainers that hated Team Flare more than anyone else in Kalos. "WHY!? You are a part of the Kalos League, why be part of terrorists like them!?"

"Kid, you are as mature as any ten-year-old. Don't try to grow up to understand what you may have to do someday for the safety of others and especially your home region." Malva retorted softly. "I was merely there to keep a good idea on Lysandre. And who sent that announcement about the Pokémon Factory once you liberated it? Otherwise, Kalos's economy on Pokéballs will collapse."

"What else did you do while wearing the Team Flare uniform?" Ash asked as stoic as a lord once he took all this in. An outburst like his was more than enough for this woman. "If you are just an undercover agent than what else did you do?"

"You are just trying to savage your pride after you yelled at me like I was a traitor, right?" Malva didn't answer and glared this time. "A little thank-you will be nice."

"I will thank you for the nice battle…" Ash responded, "But what words can make up for being part of a criminal group. How would Kalos take that one of its strongest trainers worked as a double agent? That is why I want to know everything so I can make-up to you right in this lobby."

Malva didn't say a word, and this was worrying Serena and Pikachu. Ash, on the other hand, kept his composure together. That was because they weren't going to listen to words for an answer, it is what the eyes are 'saying' that are 'telling the story'. And Malva's eyes were filled with regret, bitterness to one's self and reluctant agreement to Ash's words; that much the two trainers and a Pikachu could tell from this disgraced Elite Four member.

"That purple-colored door over there is the Dragonmark Chamber, you can guess what type it is based on. That is the type she specializes in, good luck." Malva said before she walked away from the two trainers. Who knows where she is headed but perhaps to face the fact she aided the terrorist Team Flare; something that can ruin her reputation and her Pokémon career in a flash.

End of Chapter 24.

*Hi guys! Finals are over and I am back in the game! This will be the first half of the Elite Four that Ash barely bested. He now knows just far beyond the skill of a Gym Leader these trainers are. And, as a spoiler, I won't bet on Ash winning against a certain trainer left over. I need something to drive the story further from the next chapter instead of ending it there.

Pokémon on Hand;

Ash – Pikachu (Male), Aegislash (Male), Bisharp (Male), Mawile (Female), Durant (Female), Greninja (Female), Yveltal (Genderless), Hydreigon (Female), Snorlax (Male), Charizard (Male), and Venusaur (Female).

Serena – Delphox (Female), Marowak (Male), Kangaskhan (Female), Phantump (Female), Xerneas (Genderless), and Dratini (Female).

Off Hand;

Ash – Ledian (Female), Kadabra (Female), and Smeargle (Male), Sableye (Male), Lucario (Male), Luvdisc (Male), Talonflame (Male), Gogoat (Male), Lapras (Female), Ferrothorn (Female), Gourgiest (Female), Shuckle (Male), Blastoise (Male), Slurpuff (Female), Poliwag (Male), Snover (Male), Rotom (Female), Banette (Female) Chesnaught (Male), Scyther (Female), Ursaring (Female) and Dragonair (Male), and Ditto (Genderless).

Serena – Furfrou (Male), Spritize (Male), Audino (Female), Luvdisc (Female), Plusle & Minun (Female), Weavile (Female), Gourgiest (Male), Ditto (Genderless), Mr. Mime (Female), Altaria (Male), Swablu (Female), and Poliwag (Female).