Part LXXIV: Requiem for Vertress
Ash walked out into the main stadium in the late afternoon to cheering crowds, his friend Cameron walking out of the other side at the same time. At last after 3 interesting battles Ash's quarterfinal with Cameron, a rematch of a year prior only this time it was in Ash's region and not Cameron's, was about to begin.
It was the last match of the day and the other 3 semifinalists were now known. It had been an interesting day to say the least. Two of the matches had been relatively predictable. Brenden and Lucas, the two trainers with either as much or almost as much experience as Ash had in Conferences had advanced, winning their matches with ease as neither lost more than 4 Pokémon with the latter only losing 3. Ash had to admit, if they went up against each other for a third time it would be hard to tell who would win that.
It had been the quarterfinal in between them that had been the interesting one, however. The matchup between Bianca and Lyra had been the best quarterfinal, if not the best full battle, so far as it had gone down to the last Pokémon each. This time it was Bianca's Emboar against Lyra's Azumarill.
To add to the match's intrigue, neither girl had changed up their rosters from the round before only the order of the Pokémon. In fact Ash was impressed by Lyra as she had kept the same 6 Pokémon the entire Contest, something he had done back in Hoenn, though Bianca had at least 2 other Pokémon she'd used in the preliminaries.
It had been close but in the end it had been Lyra who had prevailed. Bianca's Emboar was a force to be reckoned with, by far her best Pokémon, but it couldn't take out 4 of Lyra's on its own and that was what he had to do that in the end. Emboar gave a noble fight but in the end he had fallen to a Hydro Pump it had no energy left to dodge and Lyra had shocked even herself by advancing to the semifinals. Now it was Ash's turn to do the same.
"Don't expect me to lose this time Cameron." Ash said as he reached his starting spot. "You had me last time so it's time to even the score."
"I always expect your all Ash." Cameron said in his usual excited way. "So expect mine, including my secret weapon. It was one of my best against you last time, it will be again."
"Really?" Ash asked smiling. "Then I look forward to seeing it."
"Only if I need it." Cameron confirmed. "I'm sticking with new Pokémon this time. I know how good you can be if you can plan ahead so I made sure that most of my team are Pokémon you've never faced before, well at least under my control that is."
"And I am using ones from several of my adventures." Ash said. "Can't let you predict what I have or am going to use."
"No that wouldn't be you Ash." Cameron said shaking his head. "I look forward to seeing what you have in store for this battle. This time I have 6 for you to face not 5 so it will be even harder for you."
"All the better." Ash said with a grin. "That loss still hurts, this way I can avenge it and win a true full battle in the process."
"Keep telling yourself that." Cameron said as his excitement at battling began to build. "I'll still win. I beat you with 5, let's see if you can beat 6."
"Alright folks here it is the, last of the quarterfinals." The announcer said cutting Ash and Cameron off as the crowd hushed in anticipation of the match and the jumbotron came to life showing Ash and Cameron's pictures and the slots for their Pokémon. "This match is between Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town and Cameron from the Unova region."
Again each of their pictures were highlighted for the spectators to see but by this point most of the knew who the two trainers, they had been some of the better ones this Conference so far and as such the crowd cheered for them as they were introduced. That meant nothing now though as Ash and Cameron prepared for their second full battle.
"As everyone knows, the rules are the trainer who knocks out, or forces a disqualification, of all of his opponents Pokémon wins." The announcer continued. "So we will now have the random coin flip to decide who goes first and then, on the referee's whistle, the match will begin with both trainers sending out their first Pokémon at the same time."
Everyone looked to the screen as a red and blue virtual coin was flipped on it. The borders arounds the pictures showed that Ash was blue and Cameron red for this battle. The coin flipped a few times before finally landing on blue indicating that Ash had the first move. Almost as soon as the coin was down the ref blew his whistle.
"Lucario, you're up!" Cameron said throwing out his Poke Ball.
"Torterra, I choose you!" Ash said throwing out his one Poke Ball but he grimaced at Cameron's first choice, he had expected Lucario just not this early in the battle. "Start this off with Leaf Storm."
"Aura Sphere Lucario, cut through it." Cameron countered as Torterra roared and created a storm of leaves that were sent at Lucario.
The leaves covered the battlefield as they tore across it and caused the Aura Pokémon to grunt in pain but it wasn't too bad for Lucario. Lucario just pushed through it as it formed the blue sphere in its paws and sent it at Torterra through the leaves Ash cursed as he at his mistake.
He'd expected Lucario towards the end of Cameron's roster like the last time they had faced off, not the start. As such he had opted to go with Torterra to deal with protentional rock, earth, ground or electric types, not a steel and fighting type like Lucario. This was going to be harder than Ash had expected not that he was going to give it all.
"Torterra, dodge that and counter with Energy Ball." Ash said as the Aura Sphere cut through the leaves at Torterra.
Aura Sphere couldn't be dodged though and Torterra took it head on. He bellowed in pain as the attack struck him in the head and did plenty of damage but nowhere near enough to take him down. Still Torterra opened his mouth and sent out the dark green and black ball of grass type energy.
"Charge at it and dodge any attack to get in close Lucario." Cameron ordered and Lucario began to run Torterra. "Then use Force Palm."
"Keep sending the Energy Balls." Ash said. "It can't dodge them all."
Torterra just nodded as he continued to blast energy balls at Lucario as it ran him. Lucario dodged a few of the but two hit it as Torterra showed off how fast he could create them. One clipped his shoulder while a second caught it in the knee but by then Lucario was too close to miss and leapt forward, rolling with the hit until its right paw was on Torterra's head. Then with a bellow it unleashed a blast of fighting type power that brought Torterra to its knees but didn't beat it, Torterra still had fight left in it.
However, Ash groaned as he saw the result of the Force Palm. It had a decent chance of paralyzing a foe and the sudden sparking on Torterra revealed that he was indeed paralyzed from the attack. This wasn't good but so long as it didn't trigger Ash had a good chance to at least get a hit or two in.
"Put some distance between you two with Rock Climb." Ash ordered.
"Close Combat Lucario." Cameron countered.
Torterra roared and reared but a sudden sparking and a crash back down with nothing doing showed that Torterra's paralysis had triggered and he couldn't move. Lucario didn't waste a second unleashing the flurry of strikes that was Close Combat, using the proximity to land the attack and doing a lot of damage to Torterra. However Torterra was hardy and was still standing at the end. Torterra may be nearing the end of his health but Ash wasn't going to let up until it was over.
"Energy Ball." Ash said and this time the paralysis did not kick in.
Torterra opened his mouth and blasted a ball of grass type energy right into Lucario's chest blasting it back to hit the ground and roll a little putting some distance between the two Pokémon. It didn't do too much damage but with the other hits Lucario had taken was starting to feel it and while Ash didn't intend to lose to Cameron he was under no illusions that Torterra was likely going to be knocked out by Lucario.
That was fine though, Torterra was giving it his all and Ash already had his next Pokémon planned and that one he knew would take down Lucario and even up the match again. Cameron confirmed Ash's suspicions with his order as soon as Lucario stopped moving.
"Aura Sphere." Cameron ordered.
"Leaf Storm." Ash countered.
Lucario got up, formed the ball of fighting type power, and sent it at Torterra as fast as it could. A second later Torterra bellowed and got the Leaf Storm off despite the potential of his paralysis stopping the move. He knew that he was near the end and this attack was going to end him but he could at least get one last hit on Lucario and ensure that one of his friends beat it for him and Ash.
The Aura Sphere was released as the maelstrom of leaves filled the stage and cut through it. Lucario grit its teeth in the leaves, taking some damage but it was only minimal at best. The Aura Sphere on the other hand slammed into Torterra's head, he couldn't avoid it, and he collapsed to the ground without any fanfare as the leaves suddenly died and fell to the ground. Torterra was out before he hit the ground, swirls for eyes showing that fact.
"And there it is, after a tense match Torterra is unable to battle making the winner Lucario." The announcer said as the ref raised the red flag to Ash's side and Lucario and Cameron celebrated in unison as they always seemed to do. "Will Cameron keep…"
"Emboar, I choose you!" Ash said having already recalled Torterra and quickly sending out his next Pokémon mimicking what Conway had done to him the day before, as well as what he'd seen a few of the others do at this stage, using Cameron's celebration to ensure it. "Torterra, you did great and caused a lot of damage but I needed to be quick on that change to ensure that your efforts weren't in vain. I lost to that Lucario before, both multiple Pokémon and the whole battle, not again."
"And Ash has gone with the quick change to keep Lucario in and I can see why." The announcer said as Cameron and Lucario blinked at the sudden change that forced Lucario to say in the match. "That Emboar is a fire and fighting type, the perfect counter for Lucario."
"Exactly." Ash said with a grin. "Emboar, Fire Pledge. We will not let that Lucario run over us again!"
"Lucario, dodge and use Aura Sphere." Cameron said recovering from his surprise but he was a second too late.
Emboar had already punched the ground and the pillars of fire began to shoot up in a line at Lucario. By the time Cameron got his order off, the fire had reached a startled Lucario and surrounded it in a ring of burning pillars as Lucario now looked at the fire with fear in its eyes. A second later they converged on it in one massive pillar of flames that obscured Lucario from everyone.
It lasted a few seconds before it ended leaving a scorched battlefield and a surprisingly still standing Lucario. It stood there, blacken and covered in soot and blinking a few times. It then wobbled for a moment before it crashed backwards and hit the ground with swirls for eyes.
"That was some quick thinking and actions from Ash there." The announcer said as the ref raised a red flag to Cameron's side. "He saw the threat of that Lucario posed him, sent out a fire type before Cameron could switch out and used a powerful fire type move to quickly end its threat. With that Lucario is unable to battle and Emboar is the winner."
"Sorry about that Cameron." Ash said as Cameron recalled Lucario, recalling Emboar himself after Lucario was gone to avoid Cameron pulling a quick change as well. "I couldn't risk it staying out."
"No I understand and am honored that you respect my Lucario that much to act so fast to defeat it." Cameron said with a smile as he pulled out his second Poke Ball. "And Lucario did fight well but you were clearly prepared for it. You won't be for my next one though."
"Perhaps." Ash said as he pulled out his own Poke Ball, his third of the match. "But I think I will save Emboar for later again, he's got a lot of uses here so I want someone fresh to debut against you. This is his first battle but we've been training long and hard for this."
"Then show me." Cameron said. "Skarmory, you're up!"
"Aerodactyl, I choose you!" Ash said groaning as he heard Cameron's choice, he should have kept Emboar out but this was going to be good for Aerodactyl and Ash wouldn't let something as trivial as a type disadvantage stop him, well that and Aerodactyl had one move that could be key in this battle so long as Ash could land it. "This will be tough buddy but I know that you can do it."
The two flying types appeared in the air above their trainers beating their wings and preparing for battle. This was Aerodactyl's first time fighting for Ash but they had been training hard ever since he'd caught him, well in between the overly affectionate Aerodactyl hugging Ash as much as possible, something that had gotten worse after Aerodactyl met Muk. It was time to show off that friendship though and win his debut battle.
"Skarmory, Steel Wing." Cameron ordered.
"Meet it with Wing Attack." Ash countered as Skarmory's wings gleamed with the steel type move and it flew at Aerodactyl.
The two aerial Pokémon either cawed or roared as they flew at each other, Aerodactyl's wings glowing white with flying type power. They met in the center of the battlefield, well over it but that was a technicality, and clashed as they passed each other and then circled back to their trainers.
The attacks had deflected off one another but there had been damage done and Ash knew that Aerodactyl had gotten the brunt of it because of the move types compared to the primary types of the two Pokémon battling. He needed to gain an advantage in the skies and that meant speed. Aerodactyl had just the move for that, one Ash and Crocodile had ensured that Aerodactyl knew to compensate for his slower speed when compared to most flying types.
"Scary Face." Ash ordered as soon as he could.
"Air Cutter." Cameron said at the same time.
Aerodactyl pulled, well, a scary face at Skarmory who shook its head and faltered for a second before it sent out the Air Cutter attack. The move had been a bit of a risk for Ash but he needed to gain the speed advantage in the air against Skarmory. If Cameron had opted for a steel type attack then Ash would have had issues but the flying type attack that struck Aerodactyl as he finished his Scary Face was minimally effective against him. Still Ash couldn't afford to take more hits like that.
"Air Slash." Cameron ordered.
"Dodge it and hit it with Iron Head." Ash said as Skarmory slashed the air with its wing.
Aerodactyl encased his skull in steel type power and shot at Skarmory. The slash of air flew towards him but at the last minute Aerodactyl flew under it before popping up and slamming his head into Skarmory's underbelly. Training with all of Ash's many flying types, all fast and agile birds that had become Aerodactyl's new friends, had really taught him how to be evasive in the air so that he could land the attack without taking one at the same time.
It wasn't the most effective attack but it did some damage but that wasn't the key part of it. Iron Head had a chance to cause flinching and the sudden ripple through Skarmory at the attack showed that it had been triggered. That was what Ash had been going for and he wasn't going to pass up this opportunity. He needed to be close so that he could use Aerodactyl's newest move, a move that was perfect against Skarmory.
"Fire Fang." Ash called out and Aerodactyl's mouth was filled with fire and he clamped it down on Skarmory's neck while still below it.
Skarmory bellowed in pain as the super effective attack ripped through it. Aerodactyl shook it a few times to make sure that he was fully getting the attack off before he threw the Skarmory down to the ground as hard as he could. Skarmory cawed in protest but couldn't pull up in time and slammed into the ground hard. However it wasn't enough to take it out as it slowly got to its feet and cawed a challenge up at Aerodactyl who had steadily climbed after the attack to get as much height as possible.
"Wing Attack." Ash ordered.
"Steel Wing. "Cameron said finally able to attack as Aerodactyl dove at Skarmory, wings glowing.
"Wait for my order." Ash said as Skarmory shot up at Aerodactyl, its wings also glowing with a different type of power as it reached the point Ash needed it to reach. "Now! Twist 90 degrees."
Aerodactyl did so, instinctively trusting his human and twisting in midair. Ash had timed it for the last possible second so that Aerodactyl pivoted so that rather than slash with Skarmory head-to-head, his glowing wing struck it between its eyes while avoiding Skarmory's attack at the same time as landing his own. It wasn't what Cameron or Skarmory had been expecting as Aerodactyl drove it down and into the ground hard enough to create a massive cloud of dust.
Out of that dust Aerodactyl flew into the air and towards Ash, cawing in triumph before he turned and hovered there now high above Ash. A second later the dust settled to show a small crater in the battlefield with a slightly ruffled looking, well as ruffled as a Pokémon with a steel body could look, Skarmory lying in the center of it, eyes swirls.
"What an aerial battle between two interesting flying types but in the end it was the rock type that beat the steel type as Skarmory is unable to battle making Aerodactyl the winner." The announcer said as Cameron recalled Skarmory and the ref raised a red flag to his side. "This battle just keeps getting better and better folks."
"You did great Skarmory, that was a matchup we had the edge in but Ash isn't a good trainer for nothing and he out thought us there but he won't again." Cameron promised to his fallen Pokémon before sending out his next one as fast as he could less Ash change out Aerodactyl. "Blastoise, you're up!"
Ash had been debating whether or not to change when Cameron capitalized on Ash's indecision by sending out a Blastoise. This wasn't good but after seeing Cameron's Samurott Ash should have guessed that there was a chance that Cameron would have found and fully evolved a Squirtle. This was going to be tough but Ash would fight to the end, or the point he knew Aerodactyl would lose and only suffer needless pain, whichever came first.
"Start us off with Hydro Pump." Cameron said.
"Dodge that Aerodactyl and use Iron Head." Ash countered as Blastoise sent out a torrent of water from its cannons at Aerodactyl.
"Abort that Blastoise." Cameron said as Aerodactyl dove at it, twisting to avoid the water his head now encased in steel type power. "And hit it with Brick Break."
Ash was surprised by the order and more so when Blastoise suddenly stopped its Hydro Pump, encased its right fist in fighting type power and chopped down onto Aerodactyl's head just as it reached it. It was an impressive move showing training and timing to pull it off. The blow drove Aerodactyl into the ground, cracking the earth, and ended his attack with a lot of power. It wasn't enough to take Aerodactyl out and Blastoise likely took a little damage in the process but Cameron wasn't done.
"Flash Canon." Cameron ordered before Ash could counter.
Blastoise took a short hop back, lowered its head and blasted out the steel type move from its cannons. Aerodactyl was just getting up and couldn't get into the air to dodge the attack. He just took it in the chest and was thrown back in a twisting mess of wings and limbs before crashing into the ground on Ash's side and rolling towards him.
When Aerodactyl stopped it was clear that the attacks had been too much for it as the last one had been super effective. Aerodactyl was out of the fight as he lay there with swirls for eyes.
"Oh and that was a brutal combination form Blastoise there to beat Aerodactyl." The announcer said as the ref raised a red flag to Ash's side. "We are all tied up again in this one folks."
"You did well Aerodactyl, that was a tough fight to begin with before that combo beat us in the end, it was impressive but it won't work again." Ash said recalling his Pokémon and looking at Cameron who wasn't recalling Blastoise, that was a mistake that Ash wasn't going to pass it up exploiting. "Pikachu, I choose you."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said happily as he scampered out and onto the field to face the fully evolved water starter, this was going to be fun.
"I was expecting Pikachu." Cameron said surprising Ash that he was sticking with a type disadvantage, that was a bold move and spoke volumes of Cameron's confidence in Blastoise. "As good as it is, it can't take my Blastoise. Type advantages are all well and good but against a fully evolved Pokémon you will still struggle."
"We shall see, Pikachu Electro Ball." Ash ordered knowing that his Pikachu could go toe to toe with a legendary, a Blastoise would be easy for Pikachu.
"Blastoise, Ice Beam." Cameron said as Pikachu formed the ball of electricity at the end of his tail and threw it at Blastoise.
Blastoise bellowed and sent out the Ice Beam from its mouth in response to the attack, the light blue move flying across the battlefield at the ball of electricity. They met in the middle causing an explosion and a giant cloud of smoke. Ash just grinned at this; it wasn't what he planned for but he could use it.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack." Ash called and Pikachu instantly ran forward as fast as he could and into the smoke. "That's it, use the smoke as cover."
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump." Cameron said. "Cut through the smoke and get rid of it."
The Hydro Pump did a good job of blasting through the smoke and clearing it in the process. However it missed Pikachu who had taken an arcing path through it expecting something like this after watching Blastoise battle Aerodactyl. As the Hydro Pump ended Pikachu leapt into the air and slammed head first into Blastoise's cheek. The attack didn't do much but it got Pikachu close and allowed for a chance for Static to take hold, though it didn't this time.
"Brick Break." Cameron ordered.
"Dodge it and use Thunderbolt." Ash countered and Pikachu leapt up and into the air over a glowing hand that Blastoise had suddenly chopped at him.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled as he unleashed the Thunderbolt at close range into Blastoise who roared and staggered back in pain as the super effective attack struck it in the chest but Ash wasn't done yet.
"Quick Attack again." Ash ordered as Pikachu landed on the ground.
As Blastoise staggered back Pikachu ran at it as fast as he could. With a leap he slammed head first into Blastoise's chest, right where the Thunderbolt had hit, and staggered it back again but Cameron had already prepared the next move and as Pikachu flipped away he came into Blastoise's sights.
"Flash Cannon." Cameron ordered.
Blastoise roared, sparking as it did showing that Static had been activated from the last Quick Attack but the paralysis either hadn't triggered or was still in the process of taking hold. Either way it didn't stop the attack as the silver flash of steel type power shot out of one of Blastoise's cannons and slammed into Pikachu and blasted him back and across the battlefield.
Pikachu slammed into the ground and rolled a bit before slowly getting to his feet and looking at Blastoise. It was grinning at him but clearly in pain and sparking with electricity meaning that his ability had triggered and Blastoise was now paralyzed. Ash knew he had the edge now and pressed his advantage. It was only a matter of time, all Pikachu had to do was survive that long and Ash knew his starter and best friend could do just that.
"Electro Ball." Ash ordered.
"Ice Beam." Cameron said again as the ball formed on Pikachu's tail. "Block it."
However this time Blastoise, as had happened to Torterra against Lucario, roared in pain seized up right, falling to a knee in the process, as Pikachu fired the ball at it. The paralysis had triggered and there was no way that Blastoise was going to avoid the attack now. All it could do was lower its head and close its eyes before the ball struck it in its chest.
There was a boom and Blastoise was thrown back and skidded on its shell creating a furrow in the battlefield before it came to a stop just in front of Cameron and went limp. Ash didn't need to see to know, though Cameron could see it clearly, that Blastoise's eyes were swirls.
"And there the type advantage paid off for Ash as Blastoise is now unable to battle making Pikachu the winner." The announcer said as the ref raised a red flag to Cameron's side and he recalled his Pokémon, thanking it before putting it away. "Will Ash keep in Pikachu or recall him."
"Pika, pi." Pikachu said defiantly clearly wanting to stay in.
"Alright Pikachu, stay in." Ash said smiling at his starter, clearly Pikachu wanted to battle more after missing all the preliminary fights and only having once against Conway so who was Ash to deny him, he trusted his started to continue to give his all in this battle. "Let's keep this up."
"Not bad Ash but I'm still in this and Blastoise did well to land that hit." Cameron said pulling out his 4th Poke Ball and throwing it. "Ludicolo, you're up!"
The large, dancing and happy water and grass type burst in front of Cameron and began its usual dance. Ash and Pikachu stared at it for a moment as Ash thought on what the best strategy to face it was.
Thanks to Brock's Ludicolo it was a Pokémon that Ash knew pretty well. One of those things he knew was that its typing was unique to it and its evolutionary line as far as Ash knew and the grass type's resistance negated the water type's weakness making electric moves only standard and not super effective against it. That was annoying but not insurmountable to Ash.
"Energy Ball." Cameron said and instantly a ball of grass type energy shot out of Ludicolo's mouth.
"Electro Ball." Ash said as the other ball flew at him. "Counter it Pikachu."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said creating the ball on his tail and sending it at the Energy Ball.
The two balls collided in the just on Ash's side of the battlefield and exploded. Again there was a cloud of dust but this time both Ash and Cameron used it the same way.
"Ludicolo, Zen Headbutt." Cameron called out.
"Quick Attack Pikachu." Ash said as Ludicolo focused its power in its head.
Pikachu tore off and into the cloud at the same time that Ludicolo launched itself at Pikachu and into the smoke. There was second when nothing happened and the two Pokémon were obscured before there was a boom and Pikachu was thrown out of the smoke to crash down and roll back towards Ash. The smoke was blown away a second later revealing Ludicolo there having been moved back a bit by the attack but getting the better of Pikachu in it.
"Get close to it with Quick Attack Pikachu." Ash ordered already planning his next move against Ludicolo. "Dodge anything it sends at you and then at the last-minute transition to Iron Tail rather than using Quick Attack."
"Ludicolo stop it with Bubble Beam." Cameron said as Pikachu got up and tore at Ludicolo as fast as he could. "But if it dodges then stop and block that Iron Tail."
"Ludicolo." Ludicolo said as it sent out a stream of bubbles from its mouth at Pikachu.
Pikachu saw the familiar attack and easily avoided it as he continued to run at Ludicolo, zigzagging as he did to dodge the bubbles. Ludicolo realized that it had failed on that regard and instantly stopped as it waited for the right moment.
That came when Pikachu leapt into the air and turned his tail to steel. He then flipped and brought it down right where Ludicolo's head was. As he did, Ludicolo got his wide hands up and closed them over its face as it leant back. Pikachu's tail slammed into them doing a little damage but not that much as he tried to push through the block but he couldn't, Ludicolo held firm against him. Pikachu was also right where Cameron wanted him to be.
"Energy Ball." Cameron ordered and almost instantly the ball began to form in Ludicolo's mouth.
"Flip back and dodge that." Ash said but it was too late.
Pikachu pushed off Ludicolo and began to flip back but the Energy Ball slammed into his back at as he tried to flip away. A third attack, this one being standard effectiveness against him, was too much for Pikachu and he feinted as he was thrown in a high arc into the air before landing on his chest right in front of Ash, limps splayed and eyes swirls.
"Oh and Pikachu is unable to battle after that impressive block and Energy Ball from Ludicolo." The announcer said as Ash picked up Pikachu and the ref raised a red flag to him not noticing that Cameron recalled Ludicolo as soon as Pikachu was off the battlefield but the announcer informed him of Cameron's decision a second later. "And it looks like Cameron has recalled Ludicolo to save it for later."
"You did great buddy but that Flash Canon, despite your resistance, took too much out of you to survive both of Ludicolo's moves and been a while since we've seen one as well so it's understandable but don't worry we're not out of this one yet." Ash said to Pikachu before he rose and pulled out another Poke Ball to see that Cameron had his 5th in his hand having returned Ludicolo for later. "All tied up and halfway through the battle now Cameron."
"That we are though I will take the lead now." Cameron said as he threw out the ball. "Kangaskhan, you're up!"
"Emboar, get back in there!" Ash said sending Emboar out again at the same time as he was saving his last two for when he needed them and grinning at the advantage he now had, there was a reason he had kept Emboar for later. "This is why I didn't keep you in Emboar, Fire Pledge."
"Get that first hit in with Sucker Punch." Cameron counter.
"That will hit first but brace and power through it." Ash said knowing that move well from his battle with Janine. "You can still get your move off Emboar, I know it."
Emboar nodded and as he raised his fist Kangaskhan moved faster than he could process and punched him before returning to her starting position. The attack hurt but Emboar was resistant to dark type moves so it didn't bother him too much as he punched the ground creating the pillars of fire.
Kangaskhan was startled by the sudden plume of fire and she didn't move in time before the attack reached her and surrounded her with pillars of flame that converged on her as they merged into one massive pillar. She roared in pain from the hit but as the attack ended she showed that she was still standing though clearly damaged from the attack.
Emboar grunted but nodded in respect at Kangaskhan. This was a tough foe but he'd realized that she was a normal type and that gave him the advantage, if he could get in close that is.
"Earthquake." Cameron ordered.
"Emboar push through that and get in close with Flame Charge." Ash said as Kangaskhan stamped her foot sending shockwaves through the ground and shaking the battlefield. "We need to be in close to maximize your moves. I know you can withstand this"
Emboar snorted as he lowered his head and cloaked himself in fire before he charged, a flaming blur at Kangaskhan. He stumbled and staggered as the battlefield shook from the Earthquake, occasionally having to put a hand down to steady himself but he pushed on despite the damage he was taking.
This was for Ash and the win. Emboar knew what his trainer wanted from him and if it meant winning then he wouldn't let a light rumble stop him. Emboar had one fighting type move that he knew and he needed to be in close for it to land so he pushed through the pain and shaking as he charged.
Kangaskhan's eyes went wide in shock as the flaming Emboar neared her, not falling over once in its charge, though it did come close a few times. Just as the move ended Emboar slammed into her and sent her staggering back. It was a little weaker then he would have liked thanks to the Earthquake but it still did plenty of damage and he was close enough for what he knew Ash would say next.
"Brick Break." Ash ordered.
"Dizzy Punch." Cameron said.
Emboar's hand glowed with fighting type power and came down on Kangaskhan in a chopping motion at the same time that she unleashed the rhythmic punch on him that struck Emboar in the gut. The blows landed and both Pokémon roared in pain but stayed standing where they were, an impressive achievement for Kangaskhan as the attack it had taken had been super effect. However it was clear that she was near the end so Cameron needed to do something big to have a shot of winning, or at least taking Emboar with Kangaskhan when she fell.
"Outrage." Cameron ordered.
"Brick Break one more time." Ash countered.
Kangaskhan started to thrash around in a rampage that slammed into Emboar as he was too close to dodge it. He knew that it was powerful and that he was near his limit after everything he'd already taken but he had enough strength left for one more Brick Break. With the last of his power and while taking the beating from his opponent, Emboar's right hand glowed with power and he brought it down into the side of Kangaskhan's face, timing it just right so that it landed between her thrashes.
It had been the last of his strength and he dropped like a stone from it, hitting the earth with swirls for eyes. However his blow had landed and the second super effective attack, plus two powerful fire type attacks earlier, was too much for Kangaskhan and at the same time that Emboar fell to the ground, she collapsed to the side also with swirls for eyes.
"And it's a tie, a double knockout taking out both Emboar and Kangaskhan at the same time." The announcer said as the ref just raised both hands in the air and Ash and Cameron recalled their Pokémon at the same time. "In this situation both trainers will send out their next Pokémon at the same time and the loser of the coin flip, Cameron in this case, will get the first move."
"Well done Emboar, you withstood that like a champ and took down that Kangaskhan as well as finishing what Torterra started with Lucario earlier, I'm proud of you." Ash said to the Poke Ball with a smile before putting it away and pulling out his 5th Pokémon.
It was one he knew would be useful against either of Cameron's remaining Pokémon providing Cameron's earlier statements meant what Ash thought they meant. Ash just hoped that Cameron opted to send out Ludicolo again and save his last Pokémon for when he needed it the most, that was what Ash was expecting. If so then Ash knew he had this battle.
"Good job Kangaskhan, you kept in that battle despite a type disadvantage ensuring that I still have a good shot at this." Cameron said to the Poke Ball before putting it away and pulling out his next one. "Well Ash it's nearing the end, 2 Pokémon left each."
"True and I have the advantage from here on out." Ash said with a grin. "But I know how good you are Cameron so I won't take that for granted. In the end, skill will win this for me."
"We shall see." Cameron replied as he tossed out his Poke Ball. "Ludicolo, you're up again."
"Buizel, I choose you!" Ash said throwing out his Poke Ball and revealing his 5th Pokémon in the process.
The Pokémon appeared on the battlefield at the same time, Ludicolo returning and Buizel making his first appearance in the battle. Ash just grinned. Buizel had been brought in during the two-day break for some special training that not even Misty knew about. That training had gone so well that Ash had decided should it come to this situation and this opponent, or at least one he was sure had the right Pokémon, then Buizel deserved the right to be on the team for it. Now here he was and Ash intended to keep him out for as long as possible.
"Ludicolo, let's get a boost with Rain Dance." Cameron said grinning at Ash as Ludicolo threw a water ball into the air and created storm clouds that instantly began raining, soaking both Pokémon and their trainers in the process. "Time to activate your ability and…oh, that backfired didn't it?"
Ash just grinned back at him as Cameron's gloating came to an end because it wasn't just Ludicolo who suddenly seemed to be vitalized in the rain, it was now doing a very happy dance as it splashed around in the rain, Buizel too was suddenly boosted as well. The Sea Weasel Pokémon grinned at the dancing Ludicolo, his love for battle really taking hold as he prepped for his next order as his speed boosted in the rain.
"Yup, Buizel's ability is Swift Swim as well." Ash said with a grin. "Now Buizel, Aqua Jet."
"Bui, bui." Buizel said with a grin as he used the rain to encase him in water and shot at Ludicolo with a speed he could only achieve in the rain.
"Energy Ball." Cameron countered as Buizel flew towards Ludicolo. "Keep it up until you hit it."
"Dodge them Buizel." Ash called out.
Buizel just grinned as he twisted and spun through the rain, his speed boosted from it, as he easily avoided three Energy Balls that had been sent at him by Ludicolo. The Carefree Pokémon didn't get the fourth one off before Buizel slammed into its face and sent it stumbling back though it didn't do too much damage. Buizel leapt back but didn't go anywhere as he awaited Ash's next order. He had a feeling he needed to stay close to beat this, er, dancing hat, duck, thing.
"Ice Punch." Ash said and instantly Buizel's right paw was encased in ice as he punched out at Ludicolo.
"Block and send it back with Bubble Beam." Cameron said but as Ludicolo went in for the block, faster than normal because of the rain and its ability, Buizel was faster though.
The rain had been a good idea to trigger Ludicolo's Swift Swim ability and give it an advantage but it also gave the same advantage to Buizel thus negating what Cameron had intended. Add in that Buizel had spent the last few days, other than yesterday when he was off due to not being in the team that day, training almost exclusively with Ice Punch and it was not going to be stopped. He easily got in under Ludicolo's block attempt and punched it in the chest sending it back a few paces but Buizel kept up with it.
"Again Buizel." Ash called out. "Ice Punch and keep it up until I tell you to stop."
"Block and use Energy Ball." Cameron said but again Buizel's speed and training in the ice type move had the edge.
The second punch connected with Ludicolo's chest again and from then Buizel didn't let up as Ash had ordered. Using the rain and his speed, he kept forming and punching Ludicolo with the ice type attack over and over again for a total of 4 hits, each one preventing Ludicolo from focusing on a counter. Finally on the last once Ash saw what he was looking for, the freezing effect had been trigger and Ludicolo's speed was hampered. That meant that it was time to end this.
"Now Buizel, Sonic Boom!" Ash ordered.
"Bubble Beam." Cameron said, all his orders to block and counter being futile as Buizel's hits had occurred before Ludicolo could do so.
This time Buizel leapt into the air and back from Ludicolo as he slashed his tail at it. The boom of the normal type attack could be heard over the rain as it cut through it and struck Ludicolo, who was too frozen and tired to move, in the face sending it staggering back before it fell over with a splash in a puddle the rain had caused.
Buizel breathed heavily as he landed several feet away from his fallen foe. The rain had finally ended, as did his boost but it didn't matter now. Ludicolo was on its back, hands by its face and swirls for eyes. Buizel had won and now Cameron was down to his last Pokémon. In Unova this would have been the victory for Ash but Cameron had learned from that mistake and had 6 Pokémon this time.
"What a flurry of punches, I thought I was watching a fighting type Pokémon and not a water type using an ice type move." The announcer said as Cameron recalled Ludicolo a little shell-shocked by what he'd just seen and the ref raised a red flag to his side, that was some skill from Buizel but it wouldn't last against his final Pokémon. "And with that Ludicolo is unable to battle, Buizel wins and forces Cameron down to his last Pokémon."
"Stay in Buizel." Ash said seriously knowing that it was almost time. "This will be tough but you have to get some hits in and weaken it. That is the only way we win. We went over this the other day, you know what you have to do."
"Bui, bui." Buizel said just as seriously understanding the situation and knowing that this had been what they had been training for.
"I may be down to my last one Ash but this time I have control of it so you will struggle even more then last time and back then it took out two of yours before you beat it." Cameron said as he pulled out and threw his last Poke Ball. "Hydreigon, you're up!"
"Just as I expected." Ash said with a grin as the ball burst open and the large, three headed dragon and dark type materialized and hovered as it beat its wing things in front of Cameron. "Hydreigon."
"Bui." Buizel said his eyes a little wide in shock at the sight of his opponent.
Ash had been right, when the time came Buizel was going to be up against a tough opponent. This Pokémon in particular was a beast. Clearly fully evolved, clearly powerful and clearly a challenge to face let alone actually beat.
Buizel grinned as he got over his surprise. This would be a tough if not impossible battle but he wasn't going to back down from this challenge, he never did. If he beat it then the praise he'd get back home and the respect he'd earn would catapult him in the rankings they had back on the ranch. Even if he lost, so long as he landed a few good hits then it would be impressive. Plus he needed to soften it up for his friend and Ash's last Pokémon thus earning him the assist in its defeat.
"It looks even stronger than last time." Ash said. "I look forward to the challenge."
"Yup and I intend to repeat last time as well, both the start and end." Cameron said confidently. "Hydreigon, Tri-Attack."
"Aqua Jet." Ash countered as each of Hydreigon's heads formed one of the balls of light though the middle one controlled the attack as it was the only one with a brain. "Dodge as you go but get in close."
"Bui, bui." Buizel said with a nod as he encased himself in water from a nearby puddle and shot at Hydreigon.
As he did the three beams of light, red yellow and blue, shot out at Buizel. It took some skillful maneuvering, not that Buizel couldn't do it with ease, to avoid then before he reached the Pokémon and slammed into its stomach. It didn't too much damage but it was a hit and more importantly it got Buizel in close which is what Ash needed as it ensured the next part of the attack. He needed to land at least two of these attack but the more the better.
"Buizel, whatever happens hold on and make sure you hit at least two Ice Punches." Ash called. "We need to weaken it so power through anything and land them!"
"Bui, bui." Buizel agreed knowing his job and encasing his fist in ice and punching at Hydreigon knowing that whatever hit him, Buizel would take it for the team.
"Double Hit." Cameron countered.
Ash had explained the other day that they might end up in a situation like this and that Buizel would have to take a lot of hits in the process. This was a major battle after all, there were bound to be a fair few really strong Pokémon around, Ash himself had several that Buizel looked up to so it was only fair that other trainers would have powerful Pokémon as well.
They were going to be hard Pokémon to beat at the best of times but in case of the Pokémon Buizel was fighting now, a dragon type, it had one big weakness, ice. Buizel was one of the few Pokémon Ash had who knew an ice type move which made him invaluable to Ash in these battles if he ever ended up in this kinda matchup. Even if Buizel had to sacrifice himself for the team he would give Ash the best chance he could to win. That was why he need to land these hits.
Interestingly, the dragon he was facing used its two side heads, that Buizel wasn't sure could actually think as there was no intelligence in the eyes there, for the Double Hit and not its tail. The two heads struck at him with blinding speed but Buizel was at least partially ready for them.
Buizel punched the one on his right away from him, dealing a super effective attack in the process, but the second one hit him in the side dealing plenty of damage. Buizel merely grit his teeth for it and encased his fist in ice again and punched again as the heads retreated. He had to leap up to land it but he did, striking it's center head in the snout and causing it to reel back in pain from the ice type move.
"Dragon Pulse." Cameron ordered and before Ash or Buizel could react the center head opened its mouth and blasted a powerful, oddly colored, jet of light into Buizel's chest before he landed back on the ground following his Ice Punch.
Buizel wailed as he was thrown back but Ash saw that he was still conscious. Good. If Buizel could get off one more hit then Ash knew that this battle was his. Thankfully they had a move for this scenario, though it wasn't as well-honed as Pikachu's variant on it.
"Sonic Boom Buizel." Ash said putting all his encouragement and love for his Pokémon into his voice. "I know you can do it."
"Buizel." Buizel grunted out as he whipped his tails at Hydreigon just before he hit the ground hard and rolled back towards Ash, stopping midway to him on his side of the battlefield.
The loud boom echoed through the stadium as the wedge of normal type power cut through it and slammed into a startled Hydreigon's center head. It hadn't expected that and while it was nothing compared to those Ice Punches it still did some damage and all that would add up in the end.
"Buizel." Buizel said with a grin as he spat onto the ground and slowly got to his feet before giving a come at me gesture to Hydreigon.
Buizel knew that he was right at his limit. He was amazed that he was still standing after that dragon type attack he had taken but he knew that one more hit would take him out. Regardless he was going to fight until the end no matter what. He couldn't dodge and his energy was low but he had enough for one more punch and given his opponent, that was the only move Ash would call for him.
"Dragon Rush." Cameron said.
"Thank you for everything Buizel." Ash said quietly to his brave Pokémon as Hydreigon took off at him. "Ice Punch, one more time."
"Buizel!' Buizel yelled as he encased his right fist in ice and cocked it back.
Buizel didn't have the energy to run at the speeding dragon type so he just stood his ground and put everything into his move. He would faint but he wasn't going to go out without one last reminder to this Pokémon that Buizel wasn't one to be taken lightly.
As the speeding dragon reached him, Buizel punched on last time. The blow connected with the middle head of the Pokémon and the boom could be heard all over the stadium as a shockwave rocketed out of the impact point.
They held the pose for a moment before Hydreigon's overwhelming strength won out in the end and Buizel was blasted back at full speed, out cold long before he smashed into the wall behind Ash kicking up a cloud of dust at the impact. Hydreigon had been moved back a bit and taken damage but it was still not out of the battle yet, though another super effective attack likely would put it over the edge.
The dust settled and the expected result was clear for all to see. Buizel was in a small crater and lodged in the wall with swirls for eyes.
"What a plucky little Buizel, I don't think I've ever seen one put on such a strong display against a Pokémon as powerful as Hydreigon." The announcer said as the ref raised a red flag to Ash's side of the stage. "Buizel is unable to battle, Hydreigon is the winner of that. That leaves one more Pokémon each folks so this is it, the deciding matchup is here."
"Buizel return." Ash said recalling his Pokémon with a smile. "You were amazing bud. You really gave it your all and took a lot out of a Pokémon that is tough to beat for most Pokémon. You should be proud of yourself and you have done more than enough for me to win. My last one will win this, I promise. You gave it more than I could have ever asked for. Thank you."
"Really Ash, then send it out and let's decide this." Cameron said with a grin at him. "The battle comes down to this so show me what you have to beat my Hydreigon."
"Oh I will." Ash said as he pulled out the last Poke Ball for this match and held it in his hand for a moment, looking at it with a smile. "Been a while since I used this Pokémon for anything really but he's my secret weapon against you in particular Cameron."
"Against me?" Cameron asked confused.
"Yup." Ash said with a nod. "I had to have him sent in a few days ago for some special training so that he learned a new move but I expected to face you in a full battle at some point so I needed to know if I had one and it turned out I did. Not one I expected, certainly not the ideal one, but I have one. You get the honor of not only facing him in his debut battle but of being the one, so long as you chose the right move, of joining me in changing the world as we know it."
"Big words, I'm excited." Cameron said a little taken aback by them. "Send him out them, let me see this Pokémon."
"I choose you." Ash said in response as he threw out the ball before adding a word that he knew would surprise everyone who knew him. "Mimey."
"What the fuck!" Misty exclaimed dropping her pom poms in pure shock. "He's using his Mr. Mime!"
Misty wasn't the only one. Dawn's jaw was on the floor while May's eyes stared wide in disbelief. Even the ones like Anabel, Angie, Cilan and Iris who didn't know Ash even had a Mr. Mime understood the disbelief of the situation.
"Oh so that is where Mimey went." Delia said a little less surprised. "I was wondering why you needed him Samuel."
"Yes Ash asked for him but for now we should watch the battle." Professor Oak said with a knowing smile, he was the only one who knew this was coming. "You won't want to miss this."
Meanwhile elsewhere in the stadium Brock had almost fallen out of his seat, his mouth open and eyes wide in shock at Ash's sudden choice. Years ago he'd been shocked when Ash had pulled out Muk of all his Pokémon in a preliminary match the first time he was in the Indigo Conference. Now he had floored Brock with his choice of Mimey, a Pokémon Ash had never used in battle, as his last Pokémon in the quarterfinals and against a dark type Pokémon no less. Even for Ash, this was insane.
"Brock, babe, what's so odd?" Lucy said grabbing his arm gently with her left hand, the engagement ring on her ring finger sparkling in the light. "You alright?"
"No I'm not." Brock said swallowing hard as he tried to recover. "I'll explain afterwards but what Ash just did because even by his high standards, this was something he would never do. There has to be a reason for this decision so let's watch. When Ash pulls something like this you know that it's going to be big."
Lucy just nodded at her fiancé and turned back to the match she was enjoying with him. Ash had done well so far so it was time to see how it ended. Judging by Brock's reaction and her own experience with Ash, this was going to be something she didn't want to miss.
"A Mr. Mime, that's your secret weapon?" Cameron asked confused. "A pure psychic type against a part dark type like Hydreigon? That is definitely a secret. I wouldn't have expected that, even from you Ash."
"Then you won't expect this." Ash said grinning. "Mimey, Ice Punch."
"Mr. Mime." Mimey said with a nod as he closed his right fist and ran at the large, clearly dragon type, Pokémon he was facing with no fear in his eyes as his fist became encased in ice.
This may be a first for him and not something he particularly enjoyed but he had been called in for this. He'd even gotten to know Buizel well as that Pokémon taught him the move he was using with a lot of respect having learned it himself from one of Mimey's own kind. He was doing this for Ash and would trust him. All the others had said that this was fun and trusted Ash when they battled so why not see if he could do it as well.
"Hydreigon, stop it with Dragon Pulse." Cameron said and Ash grinned, that was just the move he wanted.
"Mimey, whatever happens, keep running through that attack and punch Hydreigon." Ash said as the center head opened its mouth and blasted out the dragon type attack. "Trust me."
Mimey nodded as he charged into the oncoming attack. He did trust Ash so he was going to do just that and hope that this didn't hurt too much as it did look quite powerful. The attack hit Mimey and he ran into the beam or pulse or whatever it was as it covered him completely so that no one could see the Barrier Pokémon.
The crowd gasped at as the move continued. No one had expected that to happen as it should have blasted Mimey back. That gasp turned into deathly silence as a completely unscathed Mr. Mime leapt out of the beam as it ended, right fist still encased in ice and ready to attack.
"Mr. Mime!" Mimey said happily as he punched up and hit a, for lack of better word as it was an expression Ash never expected to see on a Hydreigon's face, flabbergasted Pokémon under its chin.
Even if the super effective attack wasn't a critical hit, which it just so happened to be, it would have ended Hydreigon as it was pushed past its limit. That was not what was going through its middle head before it passed out. It was wondering what power on the planet prevent this weird Pokémon from being hurt by its attack. After that all that happened was Hydreigon flipped a few times in the air before it crashed to the ground where it lay on its back, all its eyes swirls.
Mimey landed back on the ground and realized that he had won. His first official battle and he had won it with one punch. Miming a cup, Mimey lifted it above his head next to a downed Hydreigon as pictures flashed showing him completely uninjured, something even he didn't understand as he had just charged into an attack head first and it had washed over him like it was nothing.
There was no sound in the stadium, nothing, everyone had been shocked into silence by what they had just seen. The announcer was too stunned to speak, the ref's mouth was agape at the sight and Cameron's eyes were wide in a mix of shock and horror at what he had just witnessed. Only Ash was smiling. He continued to do so as the silence was suddenly rent by a high-pitched scream of pure terror the came from the stands.
-break-
Everyone in their section had heard the noise, hell everyone in the stadium had but only they knew where it came from. Misty was only a few feet from it and nearly deaf from it while Piplup rolled in pain on the floor plotting his revenge against the noisemaker. Given what had happened it was no surprise who had screamed.
Slowly Misty and everyone else in their group turned to look at a very pale and trembling Iris who had fallen back into her seat and was now shaking uncontrollably as she hugged Axew close to her. For his part Axew was just as scared as they looked down onto the field after what had just happened, more importantly how Ash had just won. The sight of a completely unharmed Mr. Mime next to an unconscious Hydreigon permanently etched into their minds.
"Wh, what, what h, happened?" Iris stuttered out finally finding her voice. "H, how did a, a M, Mr. Mime d, do th, that? H, how c, can a P, Pokémon t, take a dragon type a, attack w, without d, damage."
"Ah well that has been the question I have been researching all year and have finally found my answer, in large part thanks to Ash and Misty's reports relating to the phenomenon and a few others that have occurred recently." Professor Oak said causing everyone to turn to him. "The paper is written, but Ash accidentally disproved one theorized Pokémon yesterday but that won't effect on the paper. All it will do is remove 3 Pokémon from the unconfirmed but suspected list."
"Wait, you finally found out why some Pokémon aren't affected by dragon type attacks?" Misty asked causing Iris to shriek again at the memory while Cilan, who had taken the brunt of her noise, winced next to her. "You know what's causing it?"
"There's more than one!" Iris said her fear clear in her voice. "It's not just that Mr. Mime that can do that?"
"Oh yes, based on reports we have we have deduced that there are at least 42 that we have confirmed to have this immunity." Professor Oak said with a nod causing Iris even more fear at his words. "And a few more we theorize have it like Audino though we had theorized that Blissey and her pre evolved stages had it but Ash proved that wrong yesterday so the number is currently 42. There are likely some we are missing because they don't fit the profile but have it and of course legendary Pokémon can't be easily tested."
"42!" Iris shrieked her eyes wide in horror. "42 Pokémon are immune to dragon type attacks!"
"Based on the reports from all the Pokémon professors that they gathered after Misty brought the first to me almost a year ago yes." Professor Oak said simply as Gary, who had been assisting at times while working in Sinnoh, just nodded next to his grandfather. "First it was Togekiss, then we learned that Azumarill and Marill had it. After that we learned of Ralts and they began to come in from there. Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Cottonee, Snubbull, Sylveon, Slurpuff, Impidimp, Comfey, and many more were deemed to have this immunity, along with other new and strange changes."
"The sudden poison weakness in some Pokémon." Misty said. "Like when Granbull was felled by Gengar's Venoshock in HopHopHop Town. That's connected?"
"That and more." Professor Oak confirmed.
"So what is it?" Dawn asked curiously. "I was the one who tried to take out Togekiss with a dragon type move that seemed to have kicked all this off so I want to know. Though after what Ash just did I think we all want to know what you discovered."
"It's a new Pokémon type." Professor Oak said simply as Gary got up and left holding something in his hand as he began to make his way to the exit heading for the League Office to talk to them about what had just happened while his grandfather explained everything. "It's first new one discovered in human history."
"What!"
No one knew who spoke as several of them said it at once. There was pure and utter shock at that. Ash winning as he did was one thing. Learning that it was because there was a whole new Pokémon type out there was revolutionary and that was what Ash had just revealed to the world. It was possibly one of the most Ash things to do.
"Yup it's a new type." Professor Oak said with a smile. "Never before has a type suddenly appeared like this. For all of human knowledge about Pokémon there has only ever been 17 identified types. Sure we made mistakes, one of the most famous clerical errors of all time was recording Magnemite and Magneton as pure electric types when they are actual duel electric/steel types. Oh boy was that an embarrassment when we realized that mistake a few years back as it had persisted for decades."
"Professor." Misty said getting the Kanto Professor back on topic. "Are you sure?"
"Oh yes we have conclusively proven that it is a new type." Professor Oak said. "In fact it was thanks to Ash again that we were able to do so, or more precisely his most unique Pokémon."
"Which one?" Dawn asked. "Ash has a lot or unique Pokémon."
"Porygon2." Professor Oak said. "More specifically its signature move Conversion2."
"That changes Porygon2's type to something weak or immune to the last type used on it." Misty said as she suddenly remembered something from one of the stops they made on their cruise that had involved a tag battle competition. "The light pink color it went once. That was the 18th type."
"Correct." Professor Oak said. "When you described it and how it happened, against a bug type move, it confused me so when Ash sent back Pirygon2 before his battle with Blaine I decided to pause the research I had been doing on the dragon immunity to work on Porygon2's mystery. That was when a lucky break showed us that they might be connected and could provide an answer to everything going on."
"What do you mean?" Anabel asked, even with her connection to Pokémon a whole new type was unheard and none of the Pokémon she knew had said anything about it. "How are they connected?"
"We did some work to bring out the pink coloring so that we could study it." Professor Oak explained. "Conversion2 is random so we don't know what we get but we had all 17 types between all the moves known by all of Ash's Pokémon, though the only one who knows any ghost type moves is Gengar so that had to be tested first as Gengar would be back with Ash soon."
"Makes sense, Ash only sent back Porygon2, Gengar and Dragonair because of his battle with Blaine." Misty said. "So what did you do to trigger it?"
"Pretty much what you would expect." Professor Oak said. "Basically we just sent moves at it after Porgyon2 after it used Conversion2 and had it dodge them. It was when a dragon type move from Gabite was avoided that we got that light pink color you described."
"So you decided to test it." May said starting to understand what the Professor was saying. "And there isn't much that is resistant to dragon type moves, not that I recall and since getting a Tyrunt I've had to do some more research into that."
"Yeah that was why it was a shock when Togekiss threw off Gyarados's Dragon Pulse." Misty added. "Because at the time we didn't think she had a resistance, let alone an immunity, to dragon type moves."
"Precisely." Professor Oak said. "That is why I had to research it. The only type resistant to dragon types that we knew of at the time was steel but Porygon2 turned light pink not gray. I realized that it all had to be connected. So I had to test it and after some help from Togekiss, who took a move as reassurance, I managed to persuadePorygon2 to take Gabite's Dragon Claw attack without dodging while it was that light pink color."
"And it was immune." Misty said realizing where the Professor was going with this.
"It was." Professor Oak confirmed. "That was when I realized that it had to be a new type, a fact we further confirmed when we were able to trigger 17 colors in Porygon2 and not the 16 that it should have been. It has confirmation that the dragon type attack immunity phenomenon was the result of a new type, well that and something else that truly convinced us. After that it came to figuring out more about it. That said how this new type came into being, or why for that matter, is still a mystery, but Professor Juniper is taking the lead on that question."
"What was the other thing?" Dawn asked confused.
"Moves, as well as Pokémon have changed." Professor Oak said. "As everyone knows, typing is both for Pokémon and moves and we now know of one move that has been reclassified from its previous classification as a normal type move to this new type."
"Which one?" Dawn asked.
"Dazzling Gleam." Misty said before the Professor could answer the dark haired girl. "It has to be that move because that's the move that has been acting oddly as of late."
"Correct Misty." Professor Oak said. "It worked on your Spiritomb so it couldn't be a normal type move anymore despite being one since it was first discovered. As recently as 18 months ago, which is around the time we believe the change happened, it has been recorded to not work on ghost types meaning that it was a normal type move. The sudden change coupled with what we saw from Porygon2 confirmed this and the new type, as well as confirming the first type to be weak to this type as it is moves, not Pokémon, that help us determine strengths and weaknesses."
"Well it has to be dark or ghost." Anabel said. "Those are the types that Spiritomb has and after losing to Misty's because I couldn't attack it I would like to know which one is now weak to the new type Professor."
"Dark." Professor Oak said at once. "We know it's dark because Spiritomb is weak against it but not Gengar so it can't be super effective against ghost types as they share that typing. In fact Gengar seemed to be resistant to it from your description and with Spiritomb's weakness to it we can theorize that poison types are resistant to the new type. Anyway, this new type appears to be the only one that is super effective against Sableye and Spiritomb."
"Dang it, there goes my secret advantage." Misty said, Cilan nodding in agreement as he was still gagged but he had a Sableye so he was now in the same boat as Misty. "But Spiritomb is still a boss."
"That he is." Anabel agreed. "Though now I have a better chance against him when we have a rematch Misty."
"We can deal with our desired rematches with Misty later." May said, Dawn grunting in agreement at that. "I want to hear more about this new type. What else is there about it?"
"Well we have done extensive research with the few Pokémon we have that are confirmed to have, or in Porygon2's case can acquire, it." Professor Oak said. "As well as basing things we know off reports given to the regional Professors. We have confirmed that defensively speaking, in addition to being immune to dragon type attacks, this new type is resistant to fighting thanks to the Grand Festival data, as well as bug and dark type moves thanks to Porygon2. On the flip side it is weak against steel and poison types."
"That explains a lot for what Emily is going through." Misty said causing them all to look at her. "Sorry, my friend Emily, the girl I beat in the semifinal of the Grand Festival, has a Clefable, Granbull, Cottonee and Azumarill, as well as an Eevee that can evolve into a Sylveon so a lot of this new type. She was the one who's Granbull fell to a poison type attack and shrugged off a fighting type one with little damage. She's been struggling against steel type moves all year, it's part of why she now has a Mawile, and she really doesn't like poison types."
"I see, I may need to have a word with this girl if she's still around." Professor Oak said thinking. "She may be of some help to me. It was that Grand Festival quarterfinal where a Granbull took two fighting type moves with minimal damage that helped determine to us that this new type is resistant to fighting type moves as Granbull is confirmed to be this new type."
"Oh she's still around and with a friend she made just before the Grand Festival." Misty said. "I think they are staying in the Pokémon Center for the Conference. She's heading to Kalos next year."
"Kalos, that is a region with a fair few of the native Pokémon are now confirmed to have this new type." Professor Oak said a pondering expression on his face. "She could be of some assistance to me but that's for later. For now we have confirmed a lot about the type but with only one known move, though we expect there to be others as I think Charm and Moonlight are now that type as well, we aren't sure what types are resistant to it and what are weak to it other than dark. We have theorized that poison types are resistant but have yet to confirm it."
"Fire." Misty said surprising them. "That's resistant."
"How do you know?" Professor Oak said surprised.
"The same day we saw Porygon2 turn light pink, which we now know why it did, I used Dazzling Gleam in the tag battles." Misty said remembering it well. "Shuppet knows it so we used it but because it is an area attack which meant that Porygon2 was going to get hit as well. It was a poison type at the time I believe when so Ash used Conversion2 in preparation for it and after the attack Porygon2 was a bright red which we are certain meant that it was now a fire type."
"That would be correct and probably proof but if you are ok with it I would like to borrow your Banette Misty to do some more tests." Professor Oak said. "He's the only Pokémon that we know who knows Dazzling Gleam so it could be useful to see how it effects different Pokémon. While the theory indicates that dragon, bug and fighting types will be weak to it while poison and steel resistant it doesn't always work like that. A Pokémon can be weak to a type when hit by it but the inverse can be wrong. For example, ice type attacks are super effective against dragon types but ice type Pokémon are not resistant to dragon type attacks."
"Of course, once this is over." Misty said with a nod as Iris shuddered at the mention of the other super effective type against dragon types.
"Thank you." Professor Oak said understanding that the Conference came first.
"So how does this work with the new Pokémon?" May asked. "Like are they now duel types or have they had a type replaced? Togekiss is a normal and flying type if I recall so something has to be replaced because a Pokémon can't have 3 types. Can it?"
"No It can't May and as of right now we can only confirm that normal types have been replaced." Professor Oak said. "What happened in the Grand Festival quarters along with Togekiss still being a flying type confirmed that. Several Pokémon that are pure normal types such as Clefairy, Sylveon, Snubbull, Flabébé, Spritzee, Swirlix, Comfey, Milcery and their evolved or baby forms, excluding Eevee, are all now the purely the new type. As is Togepi while its evolved forms just added the flying type to them. For the rest it is a secondary type to a preexisting single type Pokémon."
"Wait, isn't Azurill a normal type that evolves into a water type Marill?" Dawn asked, her own Azurill was with May at the moment as she had to keep ahold of Psyduck less he cause a scene. "How does that work with this new type?"
"Azurill, along with one normal type evolutionary line, is an exception," Professor Oak said. "For whatever reason, Azurill and Jigglypuff's evolutionary family seem to have retained its normal typing and become duel types with the new type becoming a secondary type. We have no idea why this is the case while all other pure normal types that have been reclassified, as well as Togetic and Togekiss, lost their normal type."
"That is odd." Misty said, apparently even with this new type there were still some oddities to it. "And has any Pokémon developed the ability to add the type upon evolution kinda how an Empoleon adds a steel type when it evolves from Prinplup."
"As of right now no we don't know any Pokémon that can do that, just whole evolutionary families that have either added it or changed from normal to the new type." Professor Oak said shaking his head. "We believe that there is one Mega Evolution that does add it but Sycamore won't say which as he needs to conduct some more research to make sure of it. In addition, Kukui out in Alola believes there are two Pokémon that do add the type but hasn't confirmed it yet, though one is the final evolution of the Alolan water starter Pokémon so it should be known soon."
"I see, it is all fascinating." Anabel said. "I will have to discuss it with some Pokémon when I next see them, probably Sabrina's Gardevoir as that is on the list if Ralts is though I don't know about Gallade."
"That is one which we are confused about as well." Professor Oak admitted. "It was already a psychic and fighting type where as Gardevoir was a pure psychic type but Diantha, the Kalos champion who's primary Pokémon is a Gardevoir, has confirmed that hers is resistant to dragon types in a sparring match with Drasna."
"Zoey has a Gallade and should be coming to Ash's next party, I'm sure she would he be able to help." Misty said help. "She's still in Hoenn dealing with the Grand Festival there but she's with Georgia apparently and both will come so long as it works, which it will as we want to maximize attendance."
"Yes that would be helpful, thank you Misty." Professor Oak said with a nod.
"Professor." Iris said still shaking but finally able to speak properly. "What is this new horrific type going to be called. Ice was bad enough; this is something that will give me nightmares so I need to know what to call the worst thing in the world for me."
"We have decided to name it after the species of the earliest recorded Pokémon to exhibit this ability, as well as one of the few that went from pure normal to pure this new type." Professor Oak said. "It was recorded occurring about a month or so before Misty's Togekiss but not reported for a while as it was thought to have been stopped by a Protect at the time. The 18th type, when the paper is published though Ash's actions have accelerated the announcement, will be officially known as fairy."
"That, that shouldn't have happen." Lucy said to Brock from their seats as she looked down onto the battlefield and the unharmed Mr. Mime celebrating next to a defeated Hydreigon. "Should it?"
"No it shouldn't have." Brock said just as confused. "I'd heard of a Pokémon shrugging off a dragon type attack like that. In fact it was the same move, Dragon Pulse, and it was Misty's Togekiss who'd been on the receiving end of it from Dawn's Gyarados. However I didn't know that Mr. Mime had the same oddity. It's new, that much I know."
"Yeah I've never seen it before." Lucy said. "Though I don't use my Dragonair all that often so I haven't used many dragon type moves. You were right though, Ash using that Mr. Mime was big."
"I think it was bigger than any of us actually know." Brock said. "Ash knew that that was going to happen which means he almost certainly spoke to Professor Oak about it so he has to know something."
"Do you have any idea what it could be?" Lucy asked.
"Not in the slightest." Brock said. "But we will find out soon enough. For now, I say we celebrate. Ash has won and advanced to the semifinals as I expected. He deserves praise for that."
"Agreed." Lucy said with a nod as they, and the rest of the crowd began to cheer.
Whatever was going on would be explained at some point. That wasn't the priority now though. That was reserved for cheering the winner of the best quarterfinal of the Conference and waiting to see who Ash faced in the semifinal though as always it was never a dull day when Ash Ketchum pulled a stunt like that.
Ash just kept smiling even after who he presumed was Iris had screamed and slowly hushed conversation returned to the stadium as people discussed what had happened. Ash had always planned on asking Professor Oak if any of his Pokémon had the exhibited the phenomenon that they had been encountering just in case he needed them for the Indigo Conference.
However this was only if Ash advanced to the full battles. He hadn't had the time prepping for everything else to concern himself with it and he had no intention of using either Dragonair or Gabite before the full battles so he didn't see the need to know.
Once he had advanced to the full battles and saw that Cameron and Trip had as well, two trainers Ash knew or at least suspected would have a powerful dragon type, Ash had called up Professor Oak to see if he had a Pokémon that was immune. He had done so the night he had advanced just before bed while Misty was having a girls night at Dawn's insistence and found out that he did have one Pokémon that was immune, well two including Porygon2 if Conversion2 was used but Ash wanted one that was always immune.
Of course that one Pokémon had to be, out of all of his Pokémon, his Mr. Mime. Still Ash knew what he had to do. He had to bring in Mr. Mime and teach him an ice type move to make sure that he was ready just in case Ash had to use him.
That part was easy for Ash though. Buizel not only knew Ice Punch but had learned it from a Mr. Mime so Ash called them both in for the training. They had bonded so well during it that he had decided to use them as a one two punch in the battle if he needed it, which he did as soon as he saw that he was drawn with Cameron in the quarters. He expected Cameron to use Hydreigon or a similar Pokémon so he had to be prepared.
After confirming that it was Mimey who had the resistance, Ash had asked some questions about it and learned of Professor Oak's results and conclusions, shocked that it was actually a whole new Pokémon type that had suddenly appeared with no explanation. It certainly explained everything but it was still beyond anything Ash could have thought possible as something like that had never happened before, as far as anyone knew apparently.
Ash knew a little more as he'd met Arceus once and the creator had 17 tablet things, or whatever they were called, as part of him. Each tablet represented one of the 17 types and made Arceus immune to that type. Arceus had combined 5 to form something to aid humanity because a human had saved his life once and that weird, time traveling, adventure had been all about returning those tablets to Arceus. To Ash that was proof that there had been 17 original types and this 18th one was a new one but where it came from was still unknown.
Regardless, Ash had wanted to know more but to avoid bias his mentor had only told him about Mr. Mime and what he theorized it was now weak against. Ash understood and thanked him while telling the Professor that if he used Mr. Mime it meant that he would force the reveal of the type before the Professor had published his paper on it.
Professor Oak had understood and taken the necessary precautions for it knowing that it was bound to happen eventually, especially with all the League Conferences coming up. Ash had just done that and finally the rest of the stadium, and likely all those at home, were recovering.
"Um, I am not sure what just happened there." The announcer said finally finding his voice. "But that shouldn't have happened. Mr. Mime is unhurt and Hydreigon is unable to battle. That does mean that Cameron is out of Pokémon and that Ash is the winner. I, er, am sure that the committee will deal with whatever just happened but we have Professor Oak in attendance so he might be able to shed some light on this situation."
The ref just accepted the result and raised a red flag to Cameron's side while raising the green on to Ash's to signify that Ash had won. Cameron finally recovered and recalled his Pokémon as Ash walked out to Mr. Mime who was still celebrating.
"Well done Mimey, you won the battle and match for me." Ash said hugging his Pokémon as Cameron thanked Hydreigon though he still didn't understand what had just happened. "I knew you would."
"Mr. Mime." Mimey said with a smile hugging Ash back before Ash recalled him and waited in the center for Cameron who was now walking out to meet him.
"What just happened?" Cameron asked as he reached Ash and they shook hands. "That, that wasn't normal."
"It is though, well now it is at least." Ash said. "The new normal that is. Mr. Mime, along with about 40 other Pokémon, has in the last year either gained or replaced its normal type with a new, 18th Pokémon type that is immune to dragon type moves. We have been seeing this all year but this is the first time in a Conference I believe though I think Kalos will learn as there are a few of this new type over there."
"That, that is unbelievable but I know what I just saw." Cameron said shaking his. "And that is the only explanation of it."
"Yeah it has taken a while to reach the conclusion but it has been reached." Ash said as he looked around the still hushed stadium. "I think I just, um, broke the Conference."
"Well you did say that you would change the world and I am pretty sure you just did." Cameron said with a laugh. "Well done Ash, I'll be around and rooting for you just as you did for me last year. Good luck, I hope you win."
Ash smiled at Cameron before they turned and went their separate ways. Cameron to leave the battlefield and watch the draw and Ash to go back to his box and pick-up a coming to Pikachu and to wait for the other 3 semifinalists to come out before the draw.
It didn't take long for them to arrive. Brendan and Lyra quickly walked up to him while Lucas stood to the side silently waiting for the reveal of who they were facing. They all, including Lucas, looked a little startled as they reached Ash.
"Did I just see what I thought I did?" Lyra asked him once they were all together. "Did your Mr. Mime just throw off a dragon type attack with no damage."
"That would be correct." Ash said as he explained to them what had just happened and what he knew about the new Pokémon type.
"That is wild." Brendan said shaking his head. "I didn't think it possible but what we just saw has no other explanation to it."
"It's also why they are taking so long to announce the semifinal matches." Lyra said. "That is something that could change the whole Conference.
Ash realized she was right; they had been talking for a while without any announcement. Ash was about to say something when the announcer came back on.
"Sorry for the slight delay folks we just had a chat with Charles Goodshow and Gary Oak and what we learned is crazy but we just saw the proof." The announcer said. "Professor Oak, the Kanto Region Pokémon Professor, has, after a year of research, conclude that there is now an 18th Pokémon type, one that is being called fairy type, out there that is immune to dragon type moves."
This caused the whole crowd to gasp and then fall silent at the news. This was a revolutionary discovery so naturally it would have that kind of reaction.
"The Pokémon League was provided proof of its existence dating back almost a year, prior to the start of the Indigo Conference." The announcer continued. "As well as a list of the confirmed and suspected Pokémon. Mr. Mime was one of the confirmed Pokémon that was listed with the evidence providing it and using the very same Mr. Mime that belongs to Ash Ketchum."
The announcer paused at this as if he was either reading something or waiting for some news to be told to him. It wasn't long and after a moment he continued what he was saying.
"As such what just happened is completely legal and not against any rules, it just wasn't announced as the paper on this discovery hasn't been published yet." The announcer said. "That was what the holdup was folks, we just needed to confirm that Ash Ketchum is in the semifinals with that stunning win, which he is. A full list of the 42 Pokémon confirmed to be fairy types will be published after this along with their type weaknesses and strengths and the only known fairy type move so that all semifinalist know as much about it as possible."
"Oh that was it." Ash said not realizing that he may have been disqualified for that stunt. "I thought it had already been sorted, at least that what the Professor told me."
"I guess they are just making sure." Brendan said with a shrug. "Pokémon experimentation does occur and is illegal for a reason, not just in the Conference but general."
"Yeah I know of that, I once met a Sudowoodo that had been experimented on to make it like water." Ash said as that adventure quickly came to mind. "It had turned gold in the process so the nearby townsfolk were hunting it. It had been a good natured but misguided effort by its trainer who corrected it in the end. That's a story for another day though, I'm just glad I am still here."
"Yeah and after that little stunt you just pulled everyone will be looking at you." Lyra said. "And hesitant to use a dragon type against you."
"Yes but we will all get that list so we will know soon if we have a fairy type on us." Brendan said. "I will check it out, as we all should, to plan accordingly."
"Agreed." Ash said and Lyra nodded her own agreement to that.
"Alright now that that is sorted it is onto the draw for tomorrow's semifinal." The announcer said as the jumbotron went black in preparation for the reveal. "There will be one match in the morning and one in the afternoon. The rules and waiting protocols are already known to our remaining trainers so here are the matches."
The jumbotron lit up and this time it was easy to see who was against who. The morning match pitted Brendan against Lucas in their third Conference matchup while the afternoon match was Ash verses Lyra. It was certainly an interesting pair of matches.
Brendan just looked to Lucas who met his gaze and nodded back before he turned and left the stadium while the crowds began to leave. Brendan however stayed with them for a moment to chat with Ash and Lyra.
"Well looks like I have a third match with Lucas, this time for a place in the finals." Brendan said with a grin. "I look forward to hoping to face one of you two in it."
"Likewise." Ash said before looking at Lyra. "Looks like we're up against each other. First time we've had an official battle."
"Yeah looks like it, it will better than that future couples tag battle we had with Khoury and Dane just before the two of us left Sinnoh." Lyra said with a nod. "Can't wait. This is going to be so much fun."
"I agree." Ash said as they all began to leave the stadium. "Good luck to all of us but now I need to see Misty and get ready for tomorrow."
"Same but with Khoury for me." Lyra said as she hurried off to find her boyfriend to no doubt celebrate and plan with him.
"As good as she is, I'll be rooting for you Ash." Brendan said once Lyra was gone surprising Ash. "After how you dismantled Conway and that soon to be iconic win over Cameron, given what you just did, I want to face you in the finals."
"I'll do my best but you have to win as well." Ash said. "So I'll be rooting for you to beat Lucas in the morning."
"I intend to." Brendan replied. "Best of luck Ash, see you tomorrow."
With that Brendan left to go and do his own thing as Ash stayed still for a moment thinking. It had been an eventful day, mainly because he had just changed the Pokémon world as they knew it, but also because for the second time in his life he had made it to a Conference semifinal. This time he wasn't facing a Darkrai and a Latios, he was facing a friend and one he knew he could beat. It was time to get ready and prepare his team for Lyra.
Tomorrow Ash would do everything he could to advance to his first ever final. Nothing would stop him. It was time to get ready. With that in mind, Ash left the stadium to find Misty and his friends. His purpose set and his dreams almost within reach.
