...I know, I'm an idiot.
How the heck did I not insert a battle scene into that last chapter, specifically when I'd named it 'Ash vs Trevor, Rahl vs Tierno'?! That was a stupid mistake on my part and I'll be renaming that one, 'kay? This is the actual start of the Pokemon League, so there's gonna be some intense battling! Also, a big shoutout to that one guest who keeps on reviewing my story! I'll definitely keep up the 'SerenaAndAshShipping' work dude.
Chapter 11- Ash versus Rahl, Round Two!
'It's finally happening.'
Rahl jogged through the tunnel, Ash by his side, and behind him were Brock, Misty, Iris, Gary, Dawn, Cilan, Max and May, running for all they were worth to keep up with the trainers.
"Hey Rahl," panted Ash, "Promise me, that you'll give it your all. And...face me in the finals."
"You bet," answered the other, flashing him a thumbs-up. "I'll win, just you see."
"Won't be that easy," said Ash, just as the gigantic stadium loomed into view. It was so big, and so wonderfully fantastic that the two actually stopped to marvel at the sight. Millions- yes- millions- of excited fans were cheering vociferously, being seated in the stadium's many seats as they were. They were of all ages, some old grannies, some fairly young kids, and some experienced veterans with intelligent eyes. All united for one reason- to see them battle.
Rahl took a deep breath. He had done it; made it to the League. Catching sight of Ash hurrying over to a carrot haired boy with a camera on his neck and a rotund black haired boy, he hung back and waited for his new friends to emerge. Being gifted with extraordinary stamina, Rahl simply chuckled as he watched the wheezing men and women gasp and curse Ash with a lot of colorful language that made him think, 'If I had a dollar for every insult out of their mouths I'd have enough to buy out the city.'
"Alright, that's enough," said the trainer sharply when a particularly foul word arose from Gary's mouth.
When Iris started to cuss at him, Rahl whacked her on the head, while Axew squeaked in protest.
"We don't have time for this," he glared. "Let's see the match-ups for today's round, finish it up, and go to the Center. Then you can curse at Ash as much as you want."
Iris pouted at him while Gary rolled his eyes indifferently. Suddenly, Rahl noticed that Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina had somehow magically appeared to the stadium and were happily chatting with Ash and the two others.
"Who's that?" squinted Brock at the honey blonde that seemed so close to his best friend.
"Ah, that's Serena," smirked Rahl. "Ash's major crush."
"Awwww!" squealed Misty and May at the same time. "You never told us this," the latter accused.
"You never asked," countered Rahl rhetorically.
"Not a valid excuse, Feranos."
This he ignored, opting to go over to his travelling companions and make quick introductions. Ash helped him along the tedious job, so not long after, Serena, Korrina, May, Iris and Dawn were sharing tips on whatever the heck girls share tips on, and Clemont, delighted at meeting three new Gym Leaders, all more experienced than he, was asking them questions on challengers and Pokemon, along with Gary. Bonnie and Max were not going near the other, not because of disgust, it seemed, but more out of embarrassment.
'Aha.'
"The Lumiose Conference shall be beginning now!" yelled a rather plump, oldish bald man with lots of vigor and excitement from the commentator's podium, startling the trainers. "My name is Harrison 'Harry' Hozuki, and I'll be the commentator for the whole of the Conference! Please, challengers make their way to the front stands!"
"Good luck," said Serena anxiously, clasping Ash's hands.
"Y-Yeah," said Ash, blushing. Rahl noted this with amusement.
"You too, Rahl," said Iris quietly. "Come back a winner."
"Yes," said a rather surprised Rahl. "Yes I will."
He shook hands with everyone, then he made his way down to the stands, cracking his fingers as he did so. Ash went ahead, Pikachu nestled on his shoulder.
'Let's do this.'
"The first match of today will beeee..." Harry read from the monitor displayed across the stadium, "Rahl Feranos versus Ash Ketchum!"
"RIGHT AWAY?!" screamed the trainers in unison. No, no, no, this wasn't right!
"Oh come on!" complained Bonnie and Max at the same time, surprising each other a little. Serena and Iris felt very much the same way.
But they had no choice, and the two trainers made their way to the battleground, both a little forlorn but also determined to win.
"Alright Ash," stated Rahl decisively, "our battle may have come a lot sooner than expected, but let's give it our all."
"Right!" said Ash cheerfully. "Let's make this battle a heated one we'll not forget!"
"This is a three on three match between Rahl Feranos of Ifrit Town and Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!" yelled the referee. "Both trainers are allowed to substitute their Pokemon any time they want to, and when all three Pokemon of a single side are unable to battle, the match is over! Trainers, let the battle begin!"
"Haxorus, let's go!" yelled Rahl, flicking out a Pokeball. The Dragon type shone as it came out of its Pokeball, and it was easy to see why; it was black in color instead of the common ochre. It was a shiny.
"Awesome! A shiny Haxorus!" yelled Iris from up above, Rahl somehow hearing her.
"Goodra, I choose you!" shouted Ash.
"Goo goo!" squealed the light purple Dragon, delighted to be out of its Pokeball.
"Two Dragon types?!" howled Harry to tumultuous applause. "My Arceus, this is interesting!"
Rahl smirked. "Dragon Dance, let's go!"
Haxorus began to shine with a reddish black aura, roaring loudly. Its Speed and Attack had been raised, and Ash knew this.
"Goodra, let's use Dragon Pulse!" ordered Ash, sweeping his arm out.
Goodra opened its mouth and fired the purplish white beam, which Haxorus had no problem dodging.
"Dragon Claw!"
The Axe Jaw Pokemon took a swipe at Goodra with long, green claws, that made their mark, hitting it with deadly precision and drawing first blood.
"Are you good to go, Goodra?" asked Ash concernedly. When Goodra nodded, Ash yelled, "Use Ice Beam!"
"Rock Smash!"
As Goodra fired the beam of frigid energy from its mouth, Haxorus's tusk glowed red, and it used the move defensively, stopping Ice Beam in its tracks, but taking some damage as well.
"Well, well, well!" announced Harry to the astounded fans. "The first match and its already so intense! Haxorus and Goodra's battle is drawing even, and it's impossible to say who will win!"
"Dragon Dance!" ordered Rahl, sweeping his arm out.
Ash smirked while Haxorus charged up the reddish black aura that raised its Attack and Speed. "Goodra, use Rain Dance!"
Goodra threw its arms up and howled, summoning dark clouds heavy with rain. Water droplets started to fall at a furious pace, and thunder crackled, intensifying the rain much more. Haxorus looked up, seemingly unperturbed and unruffled.
"Haxorus, use Rock Smash!" commanded Rahl.
"Hax!" The Pokemon charged, its tusk igniting red, its eyes creased with concentration.
"Use Bide!" Ash shouted. Goodra brought its arms up and took the brunt of Rock Smash, wincing.
"He's getting defensive at this point?!" said Iris incredulously, wiping the rain out of her eyes. "Such a kid!"
"Yeah, that's not a great strategy!" pointed out Max.
"No," said Serena, shaking her head. "Ash's Goodra is...special."
"Special?" asked May confusedly.
"You'll see," said Clemont shortly.
"Haxorus, use Poison Jab!" screamed Rahl. He knew of Goodra's power, and he also knew that he would most certainly lose Haxorus if it took that sort of power head on.
"Hax-orus!" cried the Axe Jaw Pokemon, ramming a fist of purple energy into Goodra's stomach. Groaning, Goodra stumbled backwards. A crimson aura was surrounding it, like what happened when Bide activated, but the Dragon Pokemon also had purple bubbles surrounding its forehead, signifying that it had been poisoned.
"B-But that's impossible!" complained Bonnie. "Brother, you yourself said that Goodra had the Hydration ability that healed all status conditions when it rains!"
"Yeah, but Haxorus has the ability Mold Breaker," explained Max kindly. "This negates the effect of Hydration; therefore Goodra, as you can see, has been poisoned.
"An excellent strategy on Rahl's part," added Iris.
"Oh, stop it, you old flatterer you," gushed May, doing an impression of Rahl. Iris blushed wildly and backed away, much to everyone's amusement.
"Goodra, release your power!" roared Ash.
"Haxorus, use Dragon Claw!" screamed Rahl.
As Haxorus charged at Goodra with green talons glimmering dangerously, Goodra unleashed a staggering silver wave of power, that clashed heavily with Haxorus. The Axe Jaw Pokemon staggered forward and hit Goodra with its long claws once, and fell.
"Haxorus is unable to battle, therefore Goodra wins!" yodeled the referee.
Goodra grinned in triumph, but a surge of poison clamped it like a vice; and it too fell.
"Oh, Goodra can't battle either!" announced the referee.
"Oh my goodness, this is indeed a red hot battle between two intensely strong trainers; a memorable one!" yelled Harrison into his mic, brushing his hair as he did so. "Haxorus left its mark on its strong opponent, and so both dragons lie beaten!"
"Woooooooo!" cheered the crowd.
"Haxorus, come back. You were awesome out there."
"Goodra, return, and take a good rest."
"Well," panted Ash, a grin breaking his visage, "the first Pokemon down and I'm already out of breath."
"Same here," responded Rahl, gulping.
"Battle, resume!" commanded the referee.
"You're up, Pikachu," Ash told his first ever Pokemon, who jumped down and looked defiantly at Rahl, ready for battle.
Rahl nodded. "Manectric!"
The Pokeball burst open, and Manectric roared feverishly, looking keen to battle a fellow Electric-type.
"We'll take point!" asserted Ash. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
Glowing with a white aura, Pikachu ran like the wind, and Manectric could do nothing but wince in pain as Pikachu rocketed into its chest.
"Manectric, use Ice Fang!" ordered Rahl, sweeping his arm out.
Manectric bit Pikachu's tail with fangs as cold as a Beartic's beard. The Mouse Pokemon retreated, complaining. "Pi kaa..."
"Don't panic, just use Thunderbolt!" commanded Ash, his reassuring voice lending Pikachu strength. It let out a fierce bolt of lightning that hit Manectric dead on...and did absolutely nothing.
"-due to Manectric's Ability, Lightning Rod," groaned Gary.
Rahl nodded in satisfaction and held up his Key Stone. "Open the path to becoming the strongest, Manectric!" he ordered. "Mega Evolve!"
Manectric's body glowed with multicolored light, growing a gigantic lightning bolt on its back and holding itself more strongly. It looked intimidating, so much so that the crowd shivered. (See what I did there?)
"Okay Manectric, use Flamethrower!"
"Manec!" The Discharge Pokemon breathed a gout of fire at Pikachu, who effortlessly dodged.
"Electro Ball!"
"Thunderbolt!"
"Agh, use your own Thunderbolt!"
"Flamethrower!"
The two Pokemon fought on, through their pain and with each other, not pausing for a minute.
"Let's finish this up!" yelled Rahl. "Wild Charge!"
"Pikachu," screamed Ash, "use Iron Tail!"
Rushing to the clincher, Pikachu slammed Manectric's head with a tail hard as iron, while Manectric smashed into the Mouse Pokemon while wreathed in electricity.
The two Electric types fell, unable to continue.
"It's a draw!" called the referee.
"Oh my my!" called Hozuki over the screaming crowd. "Another tie?! This is the last one folks, the battle of pure heat!"
"Infernape, let's go!"
"Greninja, you're up!"
The two rivals, now out of their Pokeballs, grinned at each other, ready to fight until the end.
"Whatever happens-" started Ash.
"-we'll remain lifelong friends!" finished Rahl. "This battle-" he continued.
"-is just a fraction-" added Ash.
"-of the dreams we plan to achieve!" yelled Rahl.
"And no matter what, we'll become the strongest ever!" they roared at the same time.
"You go, Ash and Rahl!" cheered Bonnie and Max in unison. Serena choked back tears as the others sniffled.
It was truly beautiful to see such bonds.
"We'll get even, even, EVEN stronger!" the two friends howled, clenching their fists while their Pokemon mimicked their actions. "LET'S GO!"
There were no cyclones of water or fire this time; Greninja and Infernape both smoothly transformed into their Synchro-Modes; Greninja's blue shuriken on its back and Infernape's tail ignited orange.
"We'll finish this in one hit!" Ash roared.
Rahl nodded. "Use Flare Blitz!" he screamed.
"Water Shuriken!" roared Ash.
Greninja pulled its shuriken from its back and charged, uncharacteristically not throwing the shuriken; instead using it as a melee weapon. Infernape, wreathed in blue-hot flames as it was, charged.
The two moves collided in a blinding flash of light.
Cliffie. ;)
Well, if anyone can guess what shall happen AFTER the battle...great!
R&R guys!
-Nirgends101