Part LXXVI: To Be A Master

Ash took a deep breath as he steeled himself for the final. The moment was here. It had been a long year and a long Conference but finally after 9 days and 7 battles, 3 of which were full battles, there were two trainers left: Ash and Brendan. In a few moments they would walk out their sides to the cheering crowds as they competed for the Indigo Conference. At last it was time for Ash to achieve his dreams and win a League Conference.

With a nod from an attendant, Ash took a deep and strode out of the tunnel and into the stadium with Pikachu on his shoulder for the last time. As soon as he was there the crowd went wild and why wouldn't they. This was the final of an Indigo Conference that would go down in history for what had already happened. All that was left was to crown a winner.

On the other side Ash saw Brendan walk out at the same time and together they made their way to their starting boxes as the crowd continued to roar for them. Then the announcer cut through them all.

"And here we are, it is the final of the Indigo Conference." The announcer said over the noise of the crowd who just got noisier at the announcement. "It's been a long competition and one of the most memorable to date, possible the most after what had happened in the quarterfinals but now it is time to crown a champion. Two trainers remain to battle it out for the trophy and the right to face the Kanto Elite Four. Oh and what is this? One of them has a real cheer section for him."

Instantly Ash knew who that was and turned to look at where his friends were. He expected as always to see Misty in her pink cheerleader outfit that she'd worn in all his full battle challenges and every day of the Conference except during the 2-day break. She was still there in the center of them as always but is eyes went wide as he realized that Misty wasn't the only one and the outfits were slightly different.

Almost all of his friends in attendance, at least the ones around their age, were dressed up as cheerleaders though this time the tops were smaller leaving their stomach on display. The exposed stomachs, a more traditional cut for cheerleader outfits suddenly made sense as Ash looked closely. They had !GO ASH! in that order painted so that it could be read, almost certainly Misty or Iris's idea to do that.

On one side of Misty was Dawn, Angie and Iris with the latter at the end. Each wore a different color with Dawn in a bright blue outfit, Angie in a forest green and Iris in a light brown similar to the shirt she usually wore. On the other side of Misty were May in a blood red outfit, Anabel in lilac that matched her hair and most disturbing of all Cilan in bright green number and it wasn't a male version so that sight was now seared into Ash's brain.

Ash had no idea how Misty had persuaded them to do it, though with Cilan Ash had a feeling Iris was forcing him to do it but he was more than grateful for it. They all had pom poms that matched their outfit colors and clearly Misty had drilled them into a routine. She hadn't been present for a while last night to give Ash some time to rest and prepare alone with his chosen team so this must have been what she was doing instead. Ash had a feeling Misty had been planning this for a while and he just smiled up at them.

"That is dedicated support for Ash in this final." The announcer continued now speaking directly about the cheer section. "And if my eyes don't deceive me one of them is Dawn the Cerulean Gym Leader here in Kanto and another looks to be Anabel, the Salon Maiden of the Battle Tower on the Kanto Battle Frontier. Two more appear to be known Top Coordinators, including the recent winner of the Kanto Grand Festival and the guy, according to my records, is one of the 3 Striaton Gym Leaders out in Unova. That is some high-level support for Ash."

"You make some interesting friends for sure Ash." Brendan called out grinning at him from the other side of the battlefield as they reached their starting points, Ash not realizing that he had still been walking until Brendan spoke to him. "Can't say I've had that honor yet."

"I seemed to always be in the right place at the right time or fried the right girl and/or her bike to make some great friends." Ash said grinning back. "Though that is not what I expected."

"Clearly, only your girlfriend has been doing it until now." Brendan said as Ash knew they were doing some routine but he couldn't hear it over the crowd and besides he was focused solely on the upcoming final but their simple presence was comforting to him and gave him strength for the final. "She's probably the one who persuaded the others."

"Some of them I'm sure of it." Ash agreed. "Though I think Iris is doing this on her own accord for the fun of it and has forced Cilan to fully partake as well."

"Well whatever the case it is nice of them to come and watch you lose." Brendan said smiling widely as the trash talking began. "Because I'm here to win this."

"As am I." Ash said smiling back as he fully got into the moment. "So they're here to see my victory over you."

"Alright folks it's time." The announcer said cutting them off and bringing back attention to him. "Our finalists know the rules well by now so no need to go over them but we do need to introduce our two experienced finalists as they deserve this honor. Both of these trainers combine for 12 Conference appearances, including this one, but this is the first final for either of them."

The crowd roared their support for the trainers at the impending match. Both had been around the block and come close but never gotten this far until now. That meant that one of them would walk away today a winner at last while the other still recorded his best performance to date.

"So starting with the technical visitor, let me introduce the man from Littleroot Town out in the Hoenn region." The announcer said beginning the introductions with enthusiasm in his voice. "He's been to pretty much every Conference there is and gone from top 32 in his debut in Hoenn to top 16 in Sinnoh to top 8 in Unova and then back-to-back semifinal appearances in Kalos and Johto. Finally he's in a final going for that elusive win. It's Brendan!"

The crowd cheered loudly, especially a large Hoenn contingent that had either been here to see the Conference, come as soon as Brendan began doing well, or were in it but had been knocked out and stayed to watch it. Brendan didn't look at them as he continued to look at Ash as both trainers knew that the focus today was on the match, not the crowd.

"And facing him is the hometown boy from Pallet Town here in Kanto." The announcer said just as enthusiastically as he had been for Brendan as Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder to stand next to him. "He's been in as many Conferences but with a different set of results. Top 16 when he debuted here 7 years ago and that was his worst. After that it was top 8 in Johto, Hoenn and most recently in Unova which was a step back for him. That was because he was in that infamous Sinnoh Conference 2 years ago where the rules on what Pokémon were allowed were changed and that was where he was top 4. Give it up for Ash!"

This time the crowd cheered even louder for Ash as he was their local trainer and thus held the pride of all of Kanto in his hands. The majority of the crowd were from Kanto so it was understandable. As with Brendan though, Ash didn't look at the crowd and stayed focused on the final.

"Alright it is time for the coin flip to determine who gets the first move and then, one the ref's whistle, the Indigo Conference Final will begin." The announcer said as the virtual coin appeared over Ash and Brendan flipping as it did before landing on the blue side which today was Ash's color thus giving him the start. "And it is Ash who will have the first move."

As soon as that was declared both Ash and Brendan set themselves and pulled out their first Poke Balls to for the biggest random part of the final, the opening Pokémon. Ash had noted that Brendan had switched Pokémon around and while a few like his Sceptile and Rhyperior were more often than not in battles, he had at least 10 other Pokémon he rotate between and Ash didn't doubt that there were a few new ones today so this was going to be tough to predict. Then the whistle blew and the final began.

"Krookodile, I choose you." Ash said throwing out his Poke Ball.

"Claydol, time to win!" Brendan yelled throwing out his own ball and surprising Ash, this was not a Pokémon he'd seen Brendan use before so Ash had been right assume that Brendan had some unused ones for the final.

"I see you're going with something new." Ash said as the two duel ground types appeared, Krookodile roaring his challenge as Claydol just floated there. "I haven't seen that Claydol before."

"I had to have a few tricks seeing as you almost always switch it up other than that Pikachu in the full battles and even now that is the only Pokémon you have used more than once." Brendan said with a grin as Ash already began to think on what to do against Claydol, a Pokémon he had an advantage over because of Krookodile's dark type but who he couldn't use ground type moves on as it almost certainly had the Levitate ability. "That Krookodile is impressive and looks strong but your type advantage won't save you here."

Brendan keep smiling but he knew that this was a lot tougher than he let on and Ash was no fool to not know the same thing, this matchup was a mismatch that was heavily in Ash's favor. What Ash didn't know was that the only move his Claydol knew that wasn't a psychic type move was a ground type one that while powerful wouldn't be that effective on Krookodile. Still Brendan was going to give it his all and damage that Krookodile as much as possible before going with a quick change to a Pokémon that had an advantage ove Krookodile.

"Let's start this off with a hit and stay in close when it's done Krookodile." Ash said with a grin. "Aerial Ace."

"That is not the attack I was expecting." Brendan said at once on the back foot from the flightless Krookodile using a flying type move but recovering fast. "But it won't stop us. "Claydol, Earth Power."

"Don't touch the ground." Ash said as Krookodile extended his arms and ran at Claydol.

Krookodile started sprinting but as soon as the odd floating thing with many eyes closed some he felt the earth begin to move. Knowing a ground type attack was coming, he was a ground type himself, Krookodile leapt forward taking off into the air but keeping low for his attack. Less that a second later the earth behind him erupted with power but because he was now in the air and ahead of it, the attack missed him.

That was all that Claydol could get off before Krookodile reached it and slammed into it with his arms wide. Claydol wailed as it was thrown back but kept itself afloat as it spun around to always keep its opponent in view. However Krookodile was in range and Ash wasn't going to pass this up.

"Crunch." Ash ordered going with his super effective attack.

"Dodge it Claydol." Brendan said but it was too close to avoid Krookodile's now glowing, elongated teeth.

Opening his powerful jaws wide and snapping them down around Claydol's midriff Krookodile held fast. The intimidation Pokémon put as much dark type power as he could into the attack before he shook the wailing Claydol several times and then tossed it to the side. Claydol couldn't remain airborne this time and hit the ground hard, rolling away but Brendan was already ready for it.

"Earth Power!" Brendan called out.

"Crunch again!" Ash countered. "If that attack hits then wait it out to strike, I know you can do it Krookodile."

Claydol didn't get up it just activated the attack before Krookodile could move. The earth beneath Krookodile erupted blasting him with power and completely covering Krookodile in dust and debris. A weary and wounded Claydol slowly floated up as the attack ended knowing that it had almost certainly not taken out the angry lizard it was facing.

Before Claydol could fully process it, Krookodile shot out of the attack with a roar, jaws wide and teeth glowing with Crunch having understood what Ash had said. He clamped them down on Claydol's head thing and it wailed as the second super effective attack coursed through it and ended it at last. Krookodile knew this and tossed it back to its trainer before heading back to Ash grinning at his victory and touching his shades to make sure that they were there.

Claydol slammed into the ground and rolled over a few times before coming to a stop pretty much right at Brendan's feet. All its eyes, or whatever they were, were swirls showing that it was out of the battle. Ash had won the opening matchup but there was a long battle to go.

"And with that Claydol is unable to battle so the first winner in this final is Krookodile." The announcer said as Brendan recalled Claydol and thanked it before pulling out his next Poke Ball as the ref raised a red flag to his side. "That was a clear mismatch and it seems like Ash is keeping Krookodile in for the next match."

Ash just nodded as Krookodile set himself in front of Ash and was ready. Krookodile hadn't taken much damage in that and Ash had seen what Pokémon Brendan favored, he was sure that Krookodile could handle whatever Brendan had for him. Plus he didn't want to bring out a fresh one unless it was necessary as this was the final so Ash needed all of his Pokémon at the strongest. Krookodile had plenty more to give and wanted to keep fighting so Ash was going to let him.

"Interesting trying to draw out my best early, well that won't happen." Brendan said with a grin and Ash realized that he'd inadvertently tried to goad Brendan into bringing out his ace but alas the Hoenn trainer had a different Pokémon that could counter Krookodile. "Shiftry, time to win!"

"Shiftry will be tough, I'll give you that." Ash said a little surprised at the choice, he'd seen Brendan use Shiftry in the last 16 match but not since then so he knew a little about it though he had still studied it as best he could. "But Krookodile will prevail."

"We shall see, Bullet Seed." Brendan ordered.

"Dig." Ash countered as Shiftry opened its mouth and sent the super effective grass type attack at Krookodile."

"Get ready." Brendan said as Krookodile dove into the ground and began digging towards his latest opponent. "We can't predict when it will surface but prepare a Focus Blast, hold it and then after the hit blast Krookodile as soon as you have an opening."

"Shiftry." Shiftry said with a nod of understanding as it began to form the blast of fighting type power between its leaf hands, focusing solely on the attack so that a hit didn't disrupt it.

As it was building Krookodile attacked, leaping out of the ground to strike Shiftry from beneath it. Shiftry grunted in pain but maintained its concentration before it unleased the blast of power while both Pokémon were in midair and knowing that it wouldn't miss. The attack hit Krookodile squarely in the chest and blasted him back and across the battlefield with a roar of pain before Shiftry slammed into the earth.

As Shiftry was getting up, Krookodile hit the ground hard on Ash's side, bounced once before rolling to a stop a few feet away. Slowly, Krookodile got up to his feet clearly hurt but not out of it yet, though he wasn't certain how much more he could take, especially if it the next attack to land was another super effective one.

"Aerial Ace." Ash ordered. "We tried dig but it wouldn't have been that effective against Shiftry so let's make sure it feels a super effective attack that we know it can't dodge."

"Bullet Seed, keep it up and bring Krookodile down!" Brendan ordered as Krookodile spread its arms wide and began running at Shiftry. "Put your all into it Shiftry!"

Shiftry bellowed as it opened its mouth and spat out the Bullet Seeds. Krookodile didn't have the strength after the Focus Blast to dodge the attack so he just pushed on and threw it as best he could to land this shot for Ash and win again as Ash shouted encouragement to Krookodile.

Alas the super effective attack was just a little too much for Krookodile. He tried, he really did, and he got close but within 10 feet of Shiftry before he finally passed his limit and fell forward, his momentum carrying past forward as he slid, Shiftry side stepping him as Krookodile slid across the battlefield and past Brendan before coming to a stop with his eyes swirls.

"Krookodile is unable to battle making Shiftry the winner and tying this match up again." The announcer said. "That was close and some toughness from Krookodile but in the end two super effective attacks are hard to withstand as Claydol experienced at that jaws of Krookodile in the opening matchup."

"Krookodile return." Ash said recalling his Pokémon as the ref raised a red flag to his side a little surprised that Brendan wasn't recalling Shiftry.

"Stay in Shiftry." Brendan said deciding that he didn't want to bring out his third just yet and wanting to see what Ash went with to counter his Shiftry while also keeping his remaining 4 Pokémon fresh for later. "Let's see of Ash has anything that can beat you."

"You did great Krookodile, that Focus Blast took us by surprise and was what beat us in the end as without it you would have landed that Aerial Ace which just shows how well trained that Shiftry but we will now beat it." Ash said with a grin before putting Krookodile away and pulling out his next Pokémon and looking at Brendan. "Oh I have a few that could but I'm saving one of them for when I need him the most so just as you didn't take the bait with Krookodile, I won't with Shiftry. Dragonair, I choose you."

"I see yes that is an interesting choice." Brendan said as Ash's second stage dragon type burst out in front of him. "Another one you haven't used yet. Keeping with that full change per round I see, makes you really tough to predict while also showing off your skill at training Pokémon given how many you have. I'm definitely impressed but impressed isn't going to be enough to beat me."

"And that trend will continue." Ash said grinning at Brendan. "With the exception of Pikachu, all of mine are new for this final. This is my best team I could come up with for you but I know impressing you won't beat you just as impressing me won't beat me. We both know that it is our skill that will win this battle."

"I'm honored, now bring it." Brendan said grinning back at Ash. "And let's see who is more skilled today."

"As you wish, Dragonair, Thunderbolt." Ash ordered.

"Shiftry, Feint Attack." Brendan countered as the electricity began to spark on Dragonair.

"Hold in there and wait." Ash said as Shiftry began running at Dragonair. "That attack will hit you no matter what you do so let it and used the second after to blast Shiftry. Trust me Dragonair."

Dragonair nodded as the ball of electricity formed in his mouth and he waited for the sudden dark type attack to hit. Training with that Banette his human's mate had had gotten him used to how Feint Attack worked and it would hit but it also forced the opponent to be near him so he could counter in that split second after contact when his foe couldn't dodge it.

That was what Dragonair was waiting for as the punch hit him in the face but he held the ball of electricity there so that as Shiftry was backing up, he unleashed the Thunderbolt. It almost immediately slammed into Shiftry's chest and sent it flying back across the battlefield back to where it had started its attack from.

Shiftry wailed in pain as it flew through the air but it wasn't that effective against it so it easily hung on while the electricity coursed through it. Ash wasn't deterred though as he readied his next move.

Of course what no one saw was the spark of electricity that had shot off Dragonair as it was sending out the Thunderbolt. Nor did they see it shoot into the crowd and hit a certain Piplup between the eyes where he stood in front of his trainer cheering for Dragonair having forgotten that Dragonair's Thunderbolt always found a way to shock him. They also didn't see the slightly crispy Piplup fall to Misty's feet and vow revenge again once it had recovered and stopped twitching.

"In the air Dragonair and use Agility." Ash said surprising Brendan with the use of a boosting move and not a direct attack that was usually Ash's style. "Then dodge whatever is thrown at you and land that Dragon Tail."

Dragonair roared in agreement as he triggered Agility and extended his wings. He then shot forward on the ground before he leapt into the air, flapping the wings once to gain more speed as he shot at Shiftry.

"Interesting tactic and a good idea as few realize that Dragonair can fly but I know it can." Brendan said. "Shiftry, stop it with Bullet Seed."

Shiftry nodded and opened its mouth to send out the high-powered seeds right at Dragonair. Dragonair for his part twisted and rolled his long, agile body and dodged most of the seeds but he definitely took a few of them for a little damage before he coiled up in and spun in for the hit.

More seeds hit him but he barely felt them as he uncoiled and lashed his now glowing tail down in what was becoming his signature move. As with before, the tail slammed into his opponent, this time it was Shiftry's head, and drove it to the ground with enough force to leave a small crack in it. Shiftry roared in pain and to its knees but it wasn't out yet and already Brendan was ready again. The best time to use a not so accurate attack was when you had no way of missing.

"Focus Blast." Brendan said as Dragonair was flipping back and away from Shiftry.

The blast of fighting type power was formed and sent out before Dragonair had finished his flip, hitting him in his long body and hurling him up and back with a wail of pain. Shiftry slowly got it its feet clearly starting to get near the end of its health but able to fight as Dragonair slammed into the ground hard and rolled over a few times. He was still moving but the hit had been a critical one so Dragonair had taken more damage than he would have liked.

"Come on Dragonair, I know you can do it." Ash yelled encouragingly as he put his love for his Pokémon into his words and that was all Dragonair needed to hear.

That love and encouragement from his trainer was what Dragonair fought for, it was what made him stronger and lifted him up when he needed it the most. As such it was time. Again he'd been holding off until the right moment and this moment was that right moment, he knew it. Plus he could feel a new move coming into his mind and just the right one to deal with this, er, sentient bush with an anger issue that he was dealing with.

Slowly raising the first half of his body off the ground, Dragonair rose and looked at his clearly exhausted opponent, though he wasn't much better, and winked at it. Then Dragonair triggered it and embraced the change deep in his cells, roaring as he glowed a bright white.

"Oh yeah, that's how we do it." Ash said pumping his fist in the air. "I've been waiting for ages for this, let's do this!"

"Well you don't normally see an evolution in a final." Brendan said shaking his head and knowing that this wasn't good for him. "Gotta admit, this wasn't what I was planning for though I also wasn't planning to face a Pokémon capable of evolving other than that Pikachu."

As Brendan was speaking, Dragonair shrunk as it grew wider, legs and arms forming as the wings extended and were now located on his back as his head passed them with some antennae things popping up on its head. Still glowing he flapped his new wings once and got off the ground before the glow ended to reveal the light yellow of Dragonite and he roared in triumph, flames forming in his mouth as he did, his new move fully unlocked.

"That's it use that fire type attack Dragonite." Ash said not 100% what it was but going with it, nonetheless. "Blast it at Shiftry."

Brendan's eyes were already wide in surprise at the sudden evolution and they widened as a 5-point star of fire shot out of Dragonite's mouth indicating that the attack was Fire Blast. Brendan knew at once that Shiftry couldn't dodge it as his Pokémon was to surprise to move and its attacks wouldn't do much to block it. There was only real option for the Hoenn trainer to make.

"Shiftry, return." Brendan said pulling out his Poke Ball and recalling it just before the fire reached and painfully knocked out Shiftry, leaving a scorch mark on the earth. "You fought well but you don't deserve to go out like that."

"Oh and for the first time in the full battles a trainer has willingly forfeited a Pokémon but that was the best option possible and the right move by Brendan." The announcer said as Shiftry's picture in Brendan's Pokémon column went grey indicating that it was out of the battle and the ref raised a red flag to Brendan's side. "Shiftry has been disqualified with that withdrawal giving the newly evolved Dragonite the win in that match as Ash retakes the lead in the final. What's this? Ash is recalling Dragonite."

"Take a rest buddy." Ash said as Dragonite returned well after Shiftry was off the battlefield so the change was legal unlike Shiftry's. "You were amazing in evolving but you need to rest up for when I need you again."

"I gotta admit Ash, that was a surprise for sure." Brendan said as he pulled out his third Poke Ball, Ash doing the same to ensure that his Pokémon was legal. "Shiftry had no chance there so I had to save him needless harm."

"I understand, I would have done the same thing." Ash said knowing that he would as he'd done so twice in the preliminaries. "But now we get to use two more fresh Pokémon so a new and unknown matchup."

"That we do." Brendan said as he threw out his Poke Ball. "Rhyperior, time to win!"

"Gengar, I choose you." Ash said throwing his own ball out grinning at the Brendan's choice as he'd seen this Rhyperior before and already had a plan for it, if he could get the opportunity that is.

The two fully evolved Pokémon burst out and looked at each other, Gengar earning a few gasps at his lighter than expected color though he wasn't a shiny variant. Gengar floated up and above Ash laughing the entire time as Rhyperior simply glared at him in preparation for battle.

This was one of the more evenly matched pairings Ash realized as the moves he knew Rhyperior had could be super effective against Gengar, though with Gengar's ability likely being Levitate any ground type attack would be useless, while Gengar had a few moves that would prove useful against a Pokémon with Rhyperior's duel typing.

"Interesting, I'm not sure what ability that Gengar has as I've heard it's been changing recently in the newer evolutions but best not risk it." Brendan said. "Going to have to go all out I think. Rock Wrecker Rhyperior, this is why we practice so much with this move. Show why yours is the best out there"

"Dodge that Gengar." Ash said grinning. "It has a recharge time so…"

Ash didn't finish before he was shocked at the speed of the attack as the high-speed rock shot out of the hole in Rhyperior's hand and slammed into Gengar's body before Ash was done talking or Gengar could even think about dodging the speeding projectile. That was faster than Forrest's Rhyperior had managed.

Gengar was thrown back and behind Ash but he managed to stop himself before he hit a wall and zoom back to the fight. Rhyperior was breathing hard and Ash knew that he had a window for a combo and just the right combo to use. Sure they mainly used it on grass types but, well, Rhyperior was weak to ice as well so it worked just as fine with it.

"Gengar grab Rhyperior with Psychic and pull it towards you." Ash said and instantly Gengar knew what his trainer wanted and his eyes glowed bright blue followed a second later by Rhyperior's entire body glowing blue. "Then before it recharges, hit it with Ice Punch."

Rhyperior couldn't do anything but grunt in pain as was yanked towards a manically laughing Gengar at full speed. Gengar had gotten better and stronger over the year so he knew that he could easily lift this walking rock formation with ease. Plus it was still recharging so he had the time to encase his right first in ice as he let go of Psychic and then punched it as hard as he could in the chest.

Rhyperior wailed in pain as it was thrown back by the super effective attack. Two attacks in a row with one being super effective were going to take their toll on it but not take it out. Still Rhyperior hit the ground hard and skidded several feet creating a deep furrow in the ground before coming to a stop up against a now large pile of earth near midfield that its slide had pushed up behind it.

"Night Shade." Ash said pressing his advantage on Rhyperior.

"Rock Wrecker again." Brendan countered, he didn't like relying on the powerful move that required a recharge but his other moves weren't great for this matchup as they either had no affect due to type or ability or were weak against Gengar but situations like this were why Brendan and Rhyperior practiced Rock Wrecker so much. "Blast through that Night Shade."

Gengar's eyes flashed with a dark black and purple color before they shot beams of that color out of his eyes at Rhyperior. At the same time the Drill Pokémon raised a hand and shot out a large rock from the hole there as hard and fast as it could just as it had been trained to do.

The rock slammed into the Night Shade attack and parted the beams. It was as if Gengar's attack went around it before resuming their trajectory and slamming into Rhyperior's chest causing the rock and ground type to wail in pain but the rock didn't stop and struck Gengar in his face at full speed.

This time the powerful attack was a critical hit and Gengar was out cold before he even began to fall to the ground. There was no way he could survive two powerful attacks that did a lot of damage normally unless he was resistant. Against Rock Wrecker Gengar wasn't resistant and as such he tumbled through the air before landing hard on his back behind Ash with swirls for eyes.

However Gengar was smiling because even if that Rhyperior wasn't out of the fight yet he had at least done plenty of damage to it and one of his friends would finish it with one hit so he had done his job and sacrificed himself for the team in the end.

Ash was going to ensure that as he was already in the process of his Pokémon change. After what he'd done to Lyra the day before, Ash wasn't going to let the same tactic for a quick change be used against him.

"And Gengar is out of this fight after an impressive series of attacks." The announcer said and Ash was already switching out as he spoke and the ref raised a red flag to Ash's side. "And Ash hasn't waisted a beat in changing Pokémon."

"Leavanny, I choose you!" Ash yelled throwing out his Poke Ball before Brendan could recall a still conscious but recharging Rhyperior.

With the position that Rhyperior was in, mainly on its back in a furrow making it hard for Brendan to see if it was out or not, and unable to move while it recharged from Rock Wrecker, well Ash wasn't going to waste this chance. He had to do what Blaine did to him in their battle and act quickly to land a super effective attack. Fortunately he had just the Pokémon for it.

"Energy Ball." Ash added as soon as Leavanny had appeared.

"Damn I'm impressed with that quick thinking to take out one of my best Pokémon." Brendan said with a sigh and Rhyperior's ball in his hand in preparation for the change but beaten to it by Ash's own change. "Speed and type choice, well played Ash though Leavanny was not what I was expecting. Still it is a bug and grass type and fully evolved so it has a lot more uses then one would think in a battle like this."

Brendan knew that there was now nothing that he could do as he spoke. Ash had realized his opportunity and struck before Brendan had a chance to recall his Pokémon though he had almost managed it. Ash just grinned at him as Leavanny formed the ball of grass type power and shot it out at Rhyperior.

Rhyperior saw the attack coming and groaned, resting against the mound of dirt behind its back that had been kicked up as it slid from the Ice Punch. It had taken a lot of damage and taken out that annoying looking Gengar but it knew that this was the end as it wasn't done recharging from its last Rock Wrecker. That's why it just closed its eyes and embraced the blackness as the ball hit it in the chest.

"Now that was speed and brains all wrapped up into one singular moment." The announcer said as the impact of the attack cleared to reveal Rhyperior had swirls for eyes and the ref raised a red flag to Brendan's side at its defeat. "Rhyperior is unable to battle so Leavanny is the winner. That was some quick thinking and acting to take advantage of the recharge time after Rock Wrecker before Brendan could recall Rhyperior and all perfectly within the rules."

"Stay in Leavanny." Ash said and Leavanny nodded, he wasn't going anywhere, not after that win. "You are still fully healthy and already out there but be prepared to fac a type disadvantage."

"Well done Rhyperior, that loss was one me not you." Brendan said to his Pokémon as he recalled it and looked fondly at the Poke Ball in his hand. "You got me to the final yesterday, you beat a Gengar who you could only use one move on and sustained a beating from it. Alas in the end Ash was quicker on the draw and I wasn't sure you were still able to fight because of that mound Gengar made with you so I hesitated a shade too long. That Leavanny would have been a problem regardless though but Ash is right, we're going with type advantage against it."

"Then send it out." Ash said with a grin. "Get ready Leavanny, this will be tough but I know you can handle it."

"Leavanny." Leavanny sang as he set himself for the next fight.

"Oh it will be, Magcargo, time to win!" Brendan said throwing out his Poke Ball.

"Yeah that is about as tough as it can get." Ash admitted looking at the fire and rock type Pokémon that Brendan hadn't used since the preliminaries but with Leavanny in the lineup Ash had been taken a Pokémon like Magcargo into account. "This one will be hard for you to face and has a lot of advantages but I know that you can do it Leavanny."

"Leavanny." Leavanny said as he nodded in agreement.

He knew how tough it would be to fight this, er, flaming snail thing but he was more than willing to give it all for Ash. Ash was his trainer and friend; he had evolved into his final form because of how close they were and he was going to prove to Ash that he was worthy of this honor that his friend had bestowed upon him.

All the Pokémon in the rotation today had been told last night that this was the final of the Conference that they had been training for all year. This was their chance to win it all for Ash. Other than Pikachu who was a given, to be selected from amongst all of Ash's strong and loyal Pokémon to be one of the other 5 with the honor of being the winning team, it was huge to all of them. This was the team they all wanted to be on so being chosen was something none of them took lightly.

True this didn't meant that Leavanny was a top 5, he knew that but it did mean that he was the best choice for this match. Ash had explained to each of them why they were there. Some, Gengar and Dragonair, had been training all year and had earned this right as traveling Pokémon for the year. Others like Krookodile had shown their strength and had multiple immunities or advantages to bring to the table. The last one had been chosen as the best of his type and was the one who actually deserved the title of Ash's strongest, for now.

Leavanny had been chosen as the best of the grass and water types, the last slot selected for the team. He had a bug type as well which was a useful advantage though somewhat negated by Krookodile's dark type. However there were only two other grass types who could fill this roll, Sceptile and Torterra, though none of the water types had made the final consideration this time.

Sceptile had been the first choice in fact but apparently Ash's opponent not only had a Sceptile but it was his best Pokémon so going with a Pokémon that was at a disadvantage due to the other trainer's knowledge was too risky for Ash. That left Torterra but Ash had already used him and decided that Leavanny was actually better and deserved to be his last choice for the team. Leavanny was going to prove that Ash's trust in him was well earned and fight until the end for his trainer.

He'd won once today but that was an easy one given that Pokémon's state and clear type disadvantages against him. This next one would be harder for Leavanny but he would give it everything he had and even if he fell, well he wouldn't go down without such a fight that the next Pokémon up would easily get their revenge for him just as he did for whoever had assisted him in his recent victory. Leavanny was ready, it was time to do this for Ash.

"Rock Slide." Brendan said to start the matchup as he had first move with Rhyperior's defeat. "Force it to us."

"I don't like this but the only way to avoid it is to get up close and personal so use X-Scissor Leavanny." Ash said as the rocks began to form in the air. "And dodge those rock as you get in close."

"Leavanny." Leavanny sang as he took off as fast as possible at his opponent.

The rocks began to fall as Leavanny's leaf-like arms glowed with bug type power. He was light and nimble on his feet and expertly dodged all the rocks as they fell down upon while he ran. Not a single one hit him as he reached the snail he was facing and slashed his leaves across its face with all the power he could muster. Thing was resistant to it but that didn't mean that it wouldn't hurt when he hit it. Unfortunately Leavanny was right where Brendan wanted it to be.

"Lava Plume!" Brendan yelled.

"Brace yourself Leavanny, I know that you can power through it and hit it with Energy Ball!" Ash yelled back knowing that at this range Leavanny wasn't going to dodge it. "You're strong, show that strength."

Leavanny knew that as well and braced himself, already building the Energy Ball in his mouth as Magcargo roared and unleashed a scarlet inferno around itself. Leavanny wailed in pain, it was impossible not to as he had multiple weaknesses to fire type attacks but he forced himself threw it and opened his mouth so that he could blast the ball of grass type power right into Magcargo's face at the same spot his X-Scissor had just hit sending it sliding back a bit as it too roared in pain.

Suddenly Leavanny wailed again as he temporarily combusted showing that he had been burned and fell to his knees. The burn side effect of Lava Plume had been triggered and Leavanny took a lot more damage from it but he slammed his mouth shut. This was for Ash; he wasn't going to lose just yet.

"Earth Power." Brendan called out surprised that Leavanny was still in the fight and that Ash was keeping it in but Ash was calm where he stood, no intention to forfeit this match at all.

"Energy Ball." Ash said to Leavanny as he poured all his encouragement into his order as the earth erupted around Leavanny. "I know you can hold on Leavanny; I know you can do it. Just a little longer, keep hitting Magcargo and it will go down."

Leavanny braced and got the ball ready. Thankfully this attack was not effective on him as a it was a ground type attack so it wasn't too bad. He also remembered where the snail was and as soon he could he countered with his own attack.

The Earth Power had created a plume of earth and dust complete obscuring Leavanny but out of it shot a ball of grass type energy hurtled and slammed into Magcargo's shell rocking it and causing a good bit of damage in the process. Leavanny was still there, still fighting until the very end.

What followed was a strange series of events. First, within the still large cloud of dust, a bright orange light was seen followed by wail of pain from Leavanny. Everyone, even Ash, thought that this was the end until a flash of dark green suddenly appeared as the dust finally began to settle and Ash realized what it was. Leavanny's ability, Swarm, had triggered powering up his bug type moves as he neared the end of his strength. Ash knew that this was it and he had one chance so he wasn't going to waste it.

"Leavanny, X-Scissor!" Ash yelled.

"Leavanny!" Leavanny said as loud as he could as he used the last of his strength to leap out of the dust, glowing with his ability and attacked the very startled looking Magcargo.

All Brendan and Magcargo could do was stare in disbelief as Leavanny's glowing arms slashed down on Magcargo's head imparting more damage than usual because of Swarm. It still wasn't enough to take out Magcargo as it slithered away from the impact due to Magcargo's resistance to bug type attacks but it was clear that one more solid hit that Magcargo had no resistance to would take it out.

As for Leavanny, he just smiled at his opponent the final burn consumed him and he collapsed onto the ground with a soft thump. He was out before he even hit the earth, his eyes were swirls but as with Gengar he was still smiling. He had done more than enough to ensure that one of his friends would take this Pokémon down for him.

"What a battle, who would have thought that a Leavanny could be that resilient against a fire type like Magcargo and suffering from a burn." The announcer said as the ref raised a red flag to Ash's side. "It may be unable to battle but that Magcargo took a beating to take it out and that is with a serious type advantage. Then again what do you expect from a Pokémon that evolves via friendship with its trainer. That folks is the halfway point; we are all tied up at 3 in the Indigo Conference Final so it is a whole new match from this point on."

"Leavanny return." Ash said smiling as he recalled his Pokémon knowing that Brendan would have time to recall Magcargo, which he did the moment Leavanny was off the battlefield but Ash needed to praise Leavanny so he gave Brendan the chance to change Pokémon. "You did amazing my friend, you really showed that Magcargo that you weren't a pushover and ensured that when it comes back out we will beat it quickly just as you beat that Rhyperior quickly."

"I'll give it to you Ash, that Leavanny really surprised me." Brendan said as he pulled out his 5th Poke Ball. "Truly showed me how strong one can be but in the end it fell and we are all tied up now. 3 Pokémon down and a fourth near the end each. We are as tied as the come as we head into the stretch of this final."

"True so let's start this second half fresh." Ash said pointing out to the battlefield. "Pikachu, I choose you!"

"Exploud, time to win!" Brendan said throwing out his own ball revealing another Pokémon like Claydol, one Ash hadn't seen him use yet in the Conference. "Let's see you deal with my other unseen Pokémon Ash."

Pikachu ran out onto the battlefield eager to face his latest foe just as the Loud Noise Pokémon landed on it at the same time and roarer louder than any Pokémon yet but then again it was an Exploud, they were known for the extremely loud sounds that they could make. Pikachu winced at the sound but smiled nonetheless, this was going to be fun.

"Start this off with Quick Attack." Ash said going for both the quick strike and the chance to try and trigger Pikachu's ability on contact.

"Send it back with Hyper Voice." Brendan commanded as Pikachu shot at Exploud at full speed.

"Push through it Pikachu, show your speed and strength." Ash said encouragingly as Exploud let out a horrible, echoing shout. "I know that you can do it."

Pikachu knew the sound wave was coming but his speed was such that all it did was slow him down slightly, and cause damage as it was an attack before he leapt and slammed into Exploud's forehead area. The larger Pokémon staggered back a bit from the attack but it didn't do much damage. Still Pikachu was close and Ash was ready.

"Iron Tail Pikachu." Ash called out and Pikachu leapt into the air, flipped and turned his tail to steel as he did.

"Fire Blast." Brendan countered. "Blast it back."

The fire built in Exploud's maw but not before Pikachu finished his move and slammed the steel type move home between Exploud's eyes and just below the spot he'd hit with Quick Attack. The normal type howled loudly but it was still building the move so it was able to unleash it at point blank range right into Pikachu.

All Pikachu could do was yelp in surprise before the powerful fire type move slammed into him before he hit the ground after landing his own hit. He was caught right in the center of the star and hurled back across the battlefield to Ash, a smoking yellow projectile as he flew. Still Ash knew Pikachu had fight left in him and went for the attack before Pikachu landed knowing his buddy would do it.

"Thunderbolt." Ash called out.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled from midair and sent out the powerful electric type attack.

Brendan stared in amazement as the electric type move shot out and slammed into Exploud before Pikachu hit the ground and rolled back to Ash. It was an impressive bit of coordination from Pikachu to pull it off but one that Brendan should have expected as he realized he'd seen Pikachu use it before in the final battles. An oversight that Brendan wouldn't repeat.

Exploud just grunted as it sparked and faced Pikachu ready for its next order. It had taken plenty of damage but it was still in this, the sparking however continued which indicated something more was at play then just taking a Thunderbolt.

"Shadow Ball." Brendan said realizing that the Thunderbolt had paralyzed Exploud so at any moment an attack could fail to go off and he's be screwed.

"Block it with Electro Ball." Ash called out as the paralysis did not take effect this time and the ball of ghost type power shot out of Exploud's mouth.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled as he formed his own type's ball on his tail and threw it at Exploud.

The attacks sored at each other before slamming into one another in midfield and creating a large explosion as they detonated against each other. Smoke blew everywhere but both Ash and Brendan weren't giving up on this fight and a little smoke wouldn't stop them.

"Hyper Voice." Brendan ordered again hoping that the paralysis didn't trigger.

"Thunderbolt." Ash called out as Exploud yelled the sound-based attack. "Remember where it is!"

The Hyper Voice cut through the smoke getting rid of it as Pikachu's own Thunderbolt arced out and towards Exploud. The nature of both attacks ensuring that they didn't collide like the balls but rather hit the other Pokémon with full force.

The wave of sound slammed into Pikachu throwing him back and sending him skidding along the ground until he came to a stop next to Ash. The Hyper Voice had been the final straw for him as the Fire Blast and earlier Hyper Voice had taken more out of Pikachu then he'd have looked and his limited health just couldn't hold him in there. All he could do was pass out, lying next to Ash with swirls for eyes.

Exploud on the other hand grunted as the Thunderbolt slammed into it and coursed through it but it surprised Ash by staying standing. It was sparking like crazy so any doubt that it wasn't paralyzed after getting two attacks off was gone but as it was a fully evolved Pokémon it was sturdier than Pikachu and still in the fight. Ash doubted it had much left though.

"Pikachu is unable to battle and for the first time all final Brendan has taken the lead though two of his Pokémon are nearing the end of their respective lines." The announcer said as the red flag was raised to Ash's side of the battlefield. "I don't think that Exploud doesn't have much left in it."

"You did great Pikachu." Ash said as he slightly moved his starter out of the way so that he was safe and could recover on his own while Ash won this. "We may be down but we are far from out and Brendan's lead isn't as good, Exploud and Magcargo aren't going to last much longer."

"That is true which is why you're going to stay in Exploud." Brendan said surprising Ash by not supping out but then again he had Magcargo and almost certainly Septile left with the latter being fully fresh so Brendan had to be saving Sceptile for last. "I know what Pokémon you're going to use Ash and Exploud here is the best for it."

"I see, the advantage of a normal type, it has the best range of moves that it can learn." Ash said as he pulled out his Poke Ball and threw it. "Dragonite, you're up again. Be wary, I'm expecting an ice type move or maybe one of the few known fairy type ones."

Dragonite roared as for the first time as a Dragonite he entered the battle and flapped his wings so that he stayed aloft in front of and above Ash looking at his opponent warily. If this thing did have an ice type move that wouldn't be good but Dragonite would do his best to fight through it and beat it for Ash.

"Fire Blast." Ash ordered going with Dragonite's newest move.

"Blizzard." Brendan said with a grin as the fire built in Dragonite's mouth. "You were right Ash; I do have an…damn."

Exploud had opened its mouth to use Blizzard when the sparks of paralysis flared up and seized all of Exploud's muscles. It roared in pain but couldn't do anything as the move failed and it fell to its knees. All Exploud could do was watch as the 5-point star of Fire Blast shot down at it and hit it full in the face.

It was good, it had withstood two Thunderbolts, a Quick Attack and an Iron Tail but the Fire Blast was the last straw as it was driven down and into the ground. When the fire ended Exploud lay in the center the scorched earth with swirls for eyes.

"Well that paralysis kicked in at the right time for Ash but after not doing so for two attacks hoping for a third straight clean move was a slim one and as such Exploud is unable to battle once again tying this match up." The announcer said as Brendan recalled Exploud and the ref raised a red flag to Brendan's side. "And it looks like Ash is going to keep Dragonite in. Probably the best decision right now, no point in revealing that last Pokémon unless absolutely necessary."

"That I am." Ash confirmed. "As with you, I know what Pokémon you're going to use this time Brendan."

"True." Brendan said with a nod as he finished thanking Exploud and pulled out a Poke Ball before quickly throwing it out. "Magcargo, time to win again!"

"Just as I expected it, we're saving our best for last." Ash said with a grin. "And we both know that our current Pokémon don't have much left right now. The end is in sight Brendan, it's crunch time."

"That we don't but I have the advantage right now." Brendan said grinning back at Ash. "Rock Slide."

"Avoid that and get in there with Dragon Tail." Ash said as the rocks began to form. "Land it and that Magcargo is done for."

"Keep it up no matter what Magcargo." Brendan called out. "Even if it gets in close to you, make sure at least one rock hits it."

Dragonite roared as he shot at the burning snail before him as fast as he could, his tail glowing with dragon type power as he did. The rocks were falling but he was flying between them as best he could. His newer, bulkier body was tough to maneuver at the moment as he hadn't practiced with it yet and one stone clipped a wing but Dragonite pushed on for Ash and his teammates as he got close enough to ensure the attack landed.

At the last second he flipped over and brought the glowing tail down onto Magcargo's head though it wasn't as satisfying as when he'd been a Dragonair. However Dragonite hadn't noticed that Magcargo had been solely focused on its task as well.

Knowing that it would faint if hit, Magcargo had kept the Rock Slide up even as the Dragonite reached him so that he could take it with him. That was the last thing Dragonite saw in that battle as his tail slammed into Magcargo's head at the same time a rock slammed into his own face and drove him into the ground with an explosion of dust.

Once the dust settled it revealed Magcargo on its side and Dragonite on his back in a small crater with broken rock all around them. Both Pokémon had swirls for eyes as they lay there indicating that the match had ended in a tie.

"Well I had a feeling this would happen in this match; we have a tie as both Pokémon appear to have been knocked out at the same time." The announcer said as the ref raised both hands straight up into the air to indicate the tie and Ash and Brendan recalled their Pokémon. "That means that this is it folks. The Indigo Conference is finally coming to a conclusion and a dramatic one at that. Each of our finalists have one Pokémon left and neither has yet been used. This is it, the final matchup to determine our winner!"

"You did great Dragonite." Ash said to his Poke Ball. "Three victories, even if the last one was technically a tie, you still took out three of Brendan's Pokémon. You did great today and we will now win it."

"Well done Magcargo." Brendan said to his own Poke Ball. "You put up a great fight and while you drew you took out two of Ash's Pokémon, one of them being a Dragonite so a noted powerhouse even if it was newly evolved and ensured that we have a true chance to win this."

"Well here we are Brendan." Ash said pulling out his last Poke Ball. "One on one to decide the winner of the Indigo Conference. I wouldn't have it any other way. Time for one of my oldest and best Pokémon."

"Neither would I." Brendan said pulling out his last Poke Ball. "And this is my oldest and best so it is only fitting that he be the one to win this for me. Just a shame I can't Mega Evolve him."

"Same as that would be epic." Ash said as he threw out the Poke Ball. "Charizard, I choose you!"

"Sceptile, time to win!" Brendan said throwing his own ball out both confirming his own last Pokémon to Ash and his suspicions of Ash's he'd had ever since Ash had mentioned that he had a Mega Stone for a Charizard meaning that it had to be his best and as such his last for the final.

Both fully evolved starters erupted from their balls and landed in front of their trainers in preparation for battle. Neither had their Mega Stones on them as they had been removed for the competition due the ban on Mega Evolution but that didn't stop either being top tier Pokémon warriors and both knew it. Sizing each other up they knew the other was just as seasoned as it. It was time to test themselves against a true opponent and bring the Indigo Conference title to their trainer.

"Sceptile, Night Slash." Brendan ordered.

"Charizard, Flamethrower." Ash countered as the battle to decide the Indigo Conference began.

"Sceptile, leap over it with your powerful legs." Brendan said as Charizard opened his mouth. "But make sure you leap at Charizard."

The gout of flames shot at the Forest Pokémon but Sceptile easily showed his power by leaping high and clear of it as he soared at Charizard before slashing Charizard in the side once the opening presented itself. Charizard roared in pain as the high critical hit ratio of Night Slash triggered and he took a lot of damage but he was much too strong to be taken down by a single blow. Plus Sceptile was too close to avoid a counter and Ash was going to capitalize on that.

"Dragon Tail." Ash said. "Send Sceptile back to his trainer."

Charizard roared as his tail glowed with power and he whipped it around to catch Sceptile right in the chest with it before Sceptile or its trainer could react. The blow blasted Sceptile back across the pockmarked battlefield. Before it had even hit the ground Ash was already following it up with another move.

"Wing Attack." Ash said dipping into the super effective attacks he had for this battle, he was going to take no chances in this matchup. "Follow Sceptile and don't let it dodge."

"Dual Chop." Brendan countered as Sceptile hit the ground bounced but flipped to land on his feet and skidded on the battlefield until he came to a stop. "If it's coming for you to hit you up close and personal then hit it right back."

Charizard was already speeding low and across the battlefield, his wings glowing with flying type power as he neared his opponent. Sceptile just grinned as he ran at Charizard his own hands glowing with his attack. Thanks to Charizard's speed Charizard was already on Sceptile's side when they met.

Sceptile tried to leap over Charizard but he twisted at the last second so that his wing caught Sceptile's leg imparting the super effective damage with the hit. However Sceptile was no novice, he was just as experienced as this Charizard was and knew how to handle himself in a fight so he rolled with the blow and laned both chops on Charizard's back as he passed over the Flame Pokémon.

Charizard fell and slammed into the ground hard but instantly pushed himself up with his arms and twisted to face Sceptile as he landed on his feet his back to the trainer that Ash was facing. Sceptile hit hard as well and rolled to midfield but was a shade slower than Charizard and Ash saw it giving him the perfect opening for one of Charizard's favorite attacks.

"Seismic Toss." Ash called out.

"Leaf Storm." Brendan countered but Charizard was too fast.

Charizard flew at Sceptile and grabbed him around the waist before kicking off the ground and flying straight up into the air reaching a height over twice as high as the stadium in a matter of seconds, twisting the entire time. As soon he was there, Charizard flipped Sceptile over his shoulder and threw him as hard as he could down to the ground.

However Sceptile hadn't been idle during his sudden journey to the heavens. He'd been given an order and was already building it up as Charizard tried to disorientate him by spinning. it didn't work. While Sceptile knew that this was about to hurt he focused on his task and unleashed a potent, concentrated, powerful Leaf Storm right into Charizard's face and body as he fell, keeping it up the entire time doing as much damage as he could.

The attack didn't cause Charizard too much damage but it was enough to knock him out of the sky and he fell to the earth at a slower speed then Sceptile. However, Charizard managed to get his wings out once he managed to fall clear of the Leaf Storm and turn himself over so that he could slow his descent long enough to land hard on one knee on his side of the battlefield. The same could not be said for Sceptile.

Sceptile hadn't fallen to the earth like Charizard, he'd been hurled to it with all the power a fully evolved and seasoned Pokémon. He impacted the ground at full speed back first with a colossal boom right in the center of the arena. The resulting explosion was massive sending rocks and debris everywhere, including one piece that knocked the ref over, as dust whipped around the battlefield covering almost all of it. All this before Charizard had landed.

There was no sign of Sceptile but Brendan knew that his Pokémon was still in it and Ash didn't doubt that a Sceptile with this much experience and that close a bond to his trainer wasn't still standing after that. This match was far from over and they both knew it.

"Night Slash." Brendan said. "Charizard is on Ash's side still so the opposite one to my voice."

"Flamethrower." Ash countered. "Blast it into that cloud and find where that Sceptile is."

Charizard roared in response as he blasted a gout of intense flame right into the still swirling dust. It cut through it and dispersed it enough to show that there was a massive, deep crater in the center of the battlefield that stretched from sideline to sideline. However it also showed that there was no Sceptile there surprising Ash and Charizard.

"Sceptile!" Sceptile roared as he fell down from above Charizard and slashed him hard across the face with Night Slash.

Sceptile had been badly hurt by the Seismic Toss but he was still in this fight and was already on his feet by the time Charizard was back on the battlefield. That was why as soon as he heard the order he had leapt high in the dust cloud to the side his trainer's voice hadn't come from, using it as camouflage as he bore down on Charizard. The duel fire and flying type had no hope of hitting him with that Flamethrower.

Sceptile's Night Slash hit though and once again its higher-than-average critical hit ratio triggered and Charizard roared in pain as he staggered back. Now the hits were piling up on him and he knew it. Both of them were strong but it was clear that their limits were closing in upon them. Still they had more to give and neither would stop until they were past their limits.

"Flamethrower." Ash ordered.

"Leaf Storm." Brendan said realizing that at this distance he wasn't going to get a physical attack in. "Send it around that Flamethrower so that you hit it."

Charizard roared as he belched an intense gout of flames for a third time and this time his favorite attack hit. Sceptile took the super effective attack straight to the face and was blasted back hard. Still he was focused and sent out the Leaf Storm.

It was an impressive sight as the leaves swirled around the fire not getting burned by it while Sceptile was blasted back on the end of the gout of flames. Then they hit Charizard again doing more damage to him. True he was resistant to it but that didn't mean that every little thing didn't add up and Charizard ended his Flamethrower panting and clearly injured.

As for Sceptile it hit the ground hard on the other side of the massive crater and rolled over a few times clearly singed and injured. However with a grunt of pain he slowly got to its feet looking as near the end as Charizard.

"Sceptile!" Sceptile roared as his ability triggered and he was surrounded by the bright green glow of Overgrowth, his grass type moves powered up thanks to his ability activating.

Charizard just roared in response as he lowered himself to a fighting stance looking at his opponent who stared back at him. The Pokémon locked gazes and nodded respectfully at each other.

They both knew what was about to go down. They were near the end and had one attack left to take. After that it would come to willpower to stay standing and win this. Charizard had the type advantage moves but that Overgrow boost coupled with how strong Sceptile was meant that even with a resistance whatever grass type move was used, if could take him over the edge and into defeat.

Both trainers knew this as well as they too met eyes across the battlefield. This was it; this was the Indigo Conference. It came down to this last move. Ash had a feeling he knew that Brendan would go with a powerful physical move and Sceptile's agility had made it clear that Charizard likely wouldn't hit with a ranged attack. Thankfully Ash had a physical move as well and it was one that was super effective.

"Charizard, Wing Attack." Ash called out.

"Sceptile, Leaf Blade." Brendan said in response.

Charizard roared as his wings glowed with flying type power and he shot off at Sceptile, keeping low to the ground as he flew. Sceptile too roared and the leaves on his forearms merged with each other, grew and glowed green as he too took off, using his powerful legs to match Charizard's speed and angle to the ground.

The two warriors met in the center of the battlefield as collided with each other. Charizard's left wing caught Sceptile in the stomach while Sceptile's left Leaf Blade scored along Charizard's back as they passed ensuring that both attacks landed and dealing a ton of damage each Pokémon.

The blows were glancing and their momentum ensured that they landed on the other side of the crater facing their trainer's opponent. Somehow both landed on their feet showing their impressive willpower and resilience but both were gritting their teeth and trembling as they tried to outlast each other. However one of them had to break and break one did.

Suddenly Sceptile fell to a knee and Ash began to grin, his heart pounding in his chest as his win seemed to be right there in front of him. His elation was short lived however as a split second later there was a groan and Ash saw Charizard fall face first onto the ground in front of Brendan with a thud, his eyes clearly swirls. Sceptile didn't get up, he couldn't, but he grinned at that sound knowing that he'd won.

Both Ash and Brendan stared in open mouthed shock at what had happened. The crowd too was stunned by the intensity of the final battle had been and how it had just ended. It had been an epic duel but it was over now.

"That is it!" The announcer said as the crowd found their voice and began cheering as the ref raised a red flag to Ash's side and the green one to Brendan's to signal the end of the match. "Charizard, after that epic final showdown worthy of the final of an Indigo Conference that will go down in the history books, is unable to battle making Sceptile the winner despite multiple type disadvantages. That also means that Ash is officially out of Pokémon. The winner of the Indigo Conference is Brendan from Littleroot Town."

Charizard's icon on the jumbotron went gray eliminating the last of Ash's Pokémon. His side vanished as Brendan's picture, surrounded by the 6 Pokémon he used in the final, their images lit again, and WINNER above them all in gold letters as fireworks went off on the screen.

"Charizard return." Ash said with a small, sad smile at what had just happened. "You did great old friend but in the end that Sceptile just had a little more in the tank but trust me, we aren't done yet. We know we can get here; we know we can go down to the end which means we know that we can win and we will win next time. Nothing will stop us."

Brendan had already left his side and run around the crater as fast as he could to embraced his still kneeling Sceptile. Ash saw how close it really was. How Sceptile just had a little more left. It was a tough loss but Ash made sure her remembered it clearly. It would drive him next year to win it all when he and Misty went to Kalos. Nothing would stop him. Now, though, he had to congratulate a friend on his well-deserved win.

"Well done Brendan." Ash said walking out once Brendan had recalled Sceptile for a much-needed rest and had turned to face Ash, the Kanto trainer extending his hand as he reached Hoenn trainer. "That was probably one of the best battles I have ever had."

"Same here Ash." Brendan said as he accepted Ash's hand and they shook while the crowd cheered around them at the sight of the finalists shaking hands the way good sportsmen should. "That could have been either of us in the end. I wouldn't have wanted to win this any other way or against any other trainer."

"Don't expect me to lose again though." Ash said with a grin as their handshake ended. "This will motivate me to get stronger and better so that next time we meet I will win. Though next time, let's bring out Key and Mega Stones because I want to see how that battle would have been if we'd Mega Evolved our Pokémon."

"Agreed, I look forward to a rematch because I may have won today but as far as I am concerned we're equals when it comes down to skill." Brendan said grinning back at Ash. "I will watch you in the future Ash. You will become a Master real soon, I know it."

"I know and enjoy this Brendan." Ash said. "And I will enjoy it myself when that day comes. I'll be in the stands cheering for you as you raise that cup in a few minutes."

Brendan just nodded as Ash turned and left the arena. Brendan would have to stay as there was the presentation soon and he was already making his way to the steps at the base of the torch where it would be held.

Ash was going to join his friends and reassure them that he was fine because he was. True he had lost but that just meant another adventure in a new region next year to try again. it was time now however to honor the winner of the Indigo Conference.


"Brendan, it is my honor as Kanto and Johto Champion to present to you this trophy for winning the Indigo Conference." Lance said as he held out the trophy for Brendan to take. "Congratulations, you earned this."

The trophy was a simple and elegant thing similar to the others Ash had seen. It had a rock base taken from somewhere near Pewter City; a narrow gold body that started slender but got wider near the top. At the top, in a special holder so that it was above the hollow center of the cup, was a replica of a Master Ball. The last thing on the trophy were a pair of white wings that accented it right as the top and framed the Master Ball well.

In the past there had been a podium for the top 3, including a full battle between the losing semifinalists for third place held in the morning before the final in the afternoon but that had been scrapped 3 years ago. Now Ash just got a silver medal in an ornate box handed to him by Charles Goodshow with a few words of congratulations and encouragement for the future before the man headed out to join Lance in the trophy presentation. The other semifinalists would be mailed bronze medals while all had gotten their participation pin when they arrived.

That had been a nice moment for Ash and he would certainly display his runner-up medal with pride alongside all his other trophies when he got home. However, as he said to his girlfriend and friends when he returned, and after thanking them for being his cheer squad, right now was for the winner not him. He reassured them that he was fine but knew he would have to talk to them tomorrow to once again reiterate it, as well as ask more about the cheerleader outfits.

However, this was Brendan's moment not Ash's and the winner deserved their full attention. That was why Ash cheered with everyone else as Brendan raised the trophy over his head and the Indigo Conference officially ended with a full fireworks display. Sure he had lost and sure it had been a heartbreaking one at the last second but Ash was fine with it. He'd lost to a friend and rival and had come closer than ever before.

That just meant that next time Ash wouldn't repeat what had happened here. Next time Ash swore by Arceus that he would win. Next time Ash would achieve his dreams.