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Chapter 6: Serena's Debut! Part 2
After about ten minutes we arrived in Couriway Town and we looked in the spot where the previous performance was and sure enough it was there. We raced there as many thoughts raced my mind. The fact that I've been acting differently lately is what is crossing my mind the most. And I wonder if it has something to do with Serena. Probably Serena. I don't know what these feelings are, but I have not experienced them in years. Not since that girl Gisele from that Pokémon academy back in Kanto. I snap back to reality as we have arrived at the Showcase Serena headed toward the seating area which I was a little confused about since she was a contestant. But I looked toward the stage and saw that her battle wasn't first. I saw that Shauna and Nini were up first with battling the duo Pierre and Aria. Who I saw next looked vaguely familiar. The referee. Serena said that her name was Palermo and she had requested that she become part of her organization and do performance battles with her. It made me mad thinking that she was trying to take her from us. But I put those thoughts aside and focused on the battle. Whoever wins this gets the Princess Key.
"Alright," Palermo said as the crowd settled down and raising her hand like a referee would do. "This will be a tag team battle between Shauna and Nini and Pierre and Aria. Now each trainer will possess one Pokémon each. The team with both Pokémon down is the loser. Now bring out your Pokémon. Now if the challengers win they both will get a Princess Key." She said making the regulations.
"Alright let's go!" They all said as they all brought out their Pokémon. Shauna had her Ivysaur. Nini brought out a Vaporeon. Aria brought out Delphox and Monsieur Pierre brought out his Ninetales. Everyone "ooed" and "awwed" at the Ninetails and Delphox.
"Alright battle begin." Palermo said and the atmosphere of the area rose as people began cheering who they wanted to win.
"Alright Ivysaur use Razor Leaf!" Shauna said as Ivysaur shortly after released a barrage of razor sharp leaves.
"Alright now Delphox show them what you can do with your Mystical Fire." Aria said gracefully and Delphox did just that as fire came out of Delphox's stick and collided with the Razor Leaf cancelling it out. But something was off. Delphox was stronger, it was holding back. Why though? Maybe they're testing Nini and Shauna. I'll find out their true intentions in our battle.
"Alright Vaporeon use Hydro Pump!" Said Nini as Vaporeon released a powerful jet of water towards the Ninetails.
"Alright Ninetails use Psybeam and stop that attack." Pierre said calmly. Ninetails released a pink beam from it's mouth and collided with the Hydro Pump and cancelled it out causing an explosion of smoke.
"Thunder Fang let's go." He said as Ninetails leaped into the smoke disappearing for a few seconds and then reappearing on the other side of the stage battlefield and it struck Vaporeon directly.
"Vaporeon no!" Nini cried out in despair. Vaporeon got launched back and slammed into the ground.
"Alright now is our chance. Ivysaur use SolarBeam!" Said Ivysaur as it charged up a beam of green energy and shot it towards the now distracted Ninetails from the hit it just landed it hit Ninetails directly as it got launched back and cried out in pain, but then got back up ready to battle some more.
"I must say I am impressed." Pierre said. Aria nodded in agreement. They then whispered to each other and strangely I heard what they said despite being tens of meters away from them all the way up in the seats and the crowd cheering. I could hear what they're saying, they want to finish this.
"Alright now use Dark Pulse on Vaporeon." Said Aria and Delphox created a purple beam of energy and it raced toward the beaten up Vaporeon.
"Quick Vaporeon dodge it and use Shadow Claw!" Vaporeon said as it went to the side dodging the Dark Pulse and raced toward Delphox and struck the fox Pokémon with the Shadow Claw. Delphox winced in pain for a split second and then retaliated with another Dark Pulse ordered by Aria which struck Vaporeon directly knocking it back and once again slamming into the ground. Excitement was bubbling inside me. I would get to battle these guys soon. I looked over at Serena as she looked nervous biting her lip. Man I wanted so much to just go over there and hug her and kiss her. Woah woah woah what am I thinking? She probably won't feel the same way. I was snapped back to reality as I heard Palermo's voice.
"Both Ivysaur and Vaporeon are unable to battle so the winners are Aria and Monsieur Pierre. That concludes one of three battles." Said Palermo. Man I spaced out I missed what happened. Both Aria and Pierre healed their Pokémon. Next up was Miette. Now Serena told me that originally all three battles were supposed to be tag team battles, but Miette insisted on battling just Aria so they allowed it. This should be interesting. But I know that Aria is going to win. Miette came onto the stage and she said nice job to Nini and Shauna as they both walked off of the stage sad that they lost, but happy at the same time that they got to battle two strong trainers. Miette and Aria got into their battle positions.
"Alright now. This will be a 1-on-1 Pokémon battle between Miette the challenger and Aria the Kalos Queen. Now the side with the Pokémon last standing is the winner. The challenger will receive a Princess Key if she defeats Aria. Alright now bring out your Pokémon." Palermo said.
"Alright Slurpuff let's do this!" Miette said as it popped out of its Pokéball.
"Alright Delphox time to shine!" Aria said as her Delphox popped out onto the stage battlefield.
"Battle begin." Said Palermo.
"Alright Slurpuff let's start this off with Grassy Terrain." Said Miette." Instantly grass and vines popped out of the ground and now Grass type moves' power are increased.
"Alright now use Energy Ball." Miette said. Slurpuff created a big green ball of energy which looks almost twice the size of a bowling ball and launched it at Delphox.
"Alright now Delphox use Moonblast." Aria said as it charged a milky pink ball and then launched it toward the Energy Ball. The two attacks collided and the Moonblast out powered the Energy Ball and hit Slurpuff.
"Oh no Slurpuff. Are you ok?!" Miette asked in concern and despair. Slurpuff got up with a grunt which signifies yes.
"Good alright use Geomancy." Miette said as it began to draw in energy and then it let out a battle cry as it's attack, defense and special defense rose.
"Alright now use Hidden Power!" Miette directed. Slurpuff created 6 balls of energy and launched it toward Delphox.
"Quick knock them away with Fire Blast!" Aria said as it created a a stream of fire which turned into a star shape as it collided with the Hidden Power and cancelled out the attack.
"Alright finish this with Moonblast!" Aria said as Delphox once more created a milky pink ball and after a few seconds launched it into the smoke and a few seconds later a loud explosion was heard and more smoke appeared. Well this battle was decided. So quick too. Slurpuff didn't even hit Delphox once.
"Oh no Slurpuff!" Said Miette. When the smoke cleared my suspicions were confirmed.
"Slurpuff is unable to battle so that means the winner is Aria. And that concludes two of three battles. Next up we have Serena." Said Palermo. I looked at her and we nodded at each other. We got up and began walking.
"Wait where are you going Ash?" Clemont asked me.
"Serena asked me to battle alongside her and I agreed." I said. I looked at Bonnie and she had a smirk on her face.
"Oh ok. Have fun and help Serena win this." He said with a determined smile. I just nodded and smiled back and headed toward Serena who was up ahead. We went to the stage and saw that Aria was ready to battle us as well as Monsieur Pierre as he walked back onto the stage.
"Well I see we have someone that isn't part of the Showcase. This will be interesting." Aria said with a smile. That made me smirk and Serena's mood brightened a bit.
"Alright let's do this Serena. You will win this and get your first Princess Key." I said with a smile. She blushed.
"Yeah. Let's do this." She said.
"Alright this will be a tag team battle between Ash and Serena and Aria and Pierre. Each person will have the use of one Pokémon. Now whoever's side has at least one Pokémon standing out of all is the winner. Bring out your Pokémon." Palermo said.
Serena's POV
I was nervous beyond belief, but I kept my composure. Ash knowing what Pokémon they have was gonna make him give everything he has.
"Alright Braxien let's go!" I said as I popped out Braxien and it landed with a small thud.
"Alright Greninja let's show them who we are!" Ash said throwing out Greninja's Pokéball with a lot of force and Greninja landed in a fighting stance. I then thought of the form they have. I just hope he doesn't use the form. They haven't even mastered it yet. On the other side Aria and Pierre popped out their Delphox and Ninetails respectively. I looked into the crowd and my eyes landed on Shauna, Miette and Nini and I smiled at them. They smiled back. I want to win this. No I need to win this. And these two weren't going to stop me.
Ash's POV
I was ready to battle as everything was set. I looked over at Serena and suddenly my urge to battle rose. I wanted Serena to win this. And I was going to put everything in it no matter what.
"Alright battle begin!" Palermo said.
"Alright we'll start first. Greninja use Water Shuriken on Ninetails!" I said as Greninja jumped into the air and threw watery shurikens that went extremely fast and it struck Ninetails pushing it back and growling in pain. It shook it off.
"Delphox use Mystical Fire on Braxien!" Aria said as a stream of flames came spiraling out of it's stick and headed toward Braxien.
"Braxien use Flamethrower full strength!" Serena said and Braxien used a full forced Flamethrower and it combined with the Mystical Fire and there was an explosion of smoke. I was going to use that to my advantage.
"Alright Greninja use that smoke to your advantage. Use Aerial Ace on both of them!" I commanded as he raced off with amazing speed which caused some people in the crowd to gasp. Greninja struck Ninetails twice and then struck Delphox twice and then did three backflips back to my side. Once the smoke cleared they were both panting and slumped from the pain, but were still standing.
"Wow that was amazing I wasn't expecting that." Pierre said. Aria nodded in agreement.
"Are you guys ok?" They both asked their Pokémon. Both Ninetails and Delphox nodded.
"The way Serena made the smoke cloud big for Ash to use was very impressive. And Greninja's speed and power is incredible." Aria added.
"Alright let's focus on Greninja." Pierre said. Aria nodded. I had to prepare for this.
"Alright Delphox use Fire Blast on Greninja!" Aria yelled.
"You too Ninetails!" Pierre said. They both shot out the Fire Blast and the two attacks fused together to make one powerful Fire Blast.
"Alright Greninja Double Team!" I yelled and Greninja instantly created multiple copies of himself.
"Now run towards the Fire Blast!" I yelled. Serena and both Pierre and Aria looked confused by my actions. Palermo did too along with some people in the crowd.
"Now! Cut the flames!" I yelled. Greninja's copies then fused into him and then pulled out what basically looked like a huge machete and jumped over the flames and sliced at them. Then the flames split in two and exploded. The crowd gasped.
"Alright let's use Ash's strategy! Braxien Flamethrower on Delphox!" Serena yelled. Good that will do even more damage. Then Braxien used her stick and fired flames from hit and it went into the smoke and hit Aria's Delphox.
"Yes! That's what I'm talking about Serena!" I said pumped. She smiled and blushed at that. That made me happy. Then I looked back at the battle field and saw that the smoke cleared. Delphox was slightly panting and Ninetails looked fine.
"Alright Braxien use Psywave on Delphox!" Serena says.
"Ninetails block that using Dark Pulse!" Pierre says. The two attacks collide and the Dark Pulse overpowers the Psywave. I had to act quick so that Braxien doesn't take a lot of damage.
"Greninja quick, run in front of the Dark Pulse and use Cut!" I yell quickly. And Greninja acts quick by pulling out a normal size Cut and stood in front of Braxien and held it up to block it. It partially worked as the Dark Pulse exploded, but Greninja got sent flying back near the curtains behind me.
"Greninja no! Are you ok?" I asked in slight worry.
"Gren." He said which meant yeah. He got up and ran and stopped by my side.
"Alright Greninja. I want you to use Aerial Ace and run towards Delphox, but pretend you are going to attack her as I know that Pierre is going to have his Ninetails to protect Delphox. Then jump up and hit Ninetails. Serena you follow up when I say so with a ranged attack." I say quietly, but then I talk louder when I talked to Serena. She looked confused, but nodded.
"Alright go use Aerial Ace on Delphox!" I say as he runs and does exactly as I say.
"Ninetails use Crush Claw!" Pierre says. Then Ninetails jumped as her claws grew longer and glowed silver.
"Serena now!" I say looking at her. She nods and orders Braxien to use Psywave. Greninja ducked and then the Psywave hit Ninetails head on and she got sent back to the ground in front of Pierre. That definitely did damage, but she got up quick.
"Man they are good. Good teamwork and their Pokémon are strong too.
"You wanna show them what we can do?" Pierre asked.
"They have proven worthy. We should." Aria said and they pulled out stones which I immediately recognized. Keystones. The crowd cheered even louder as they began the process of Mega Evolution.
"By the power of the stones, Mega Evolve!" They both say together as their Pokémon are engulfed in a pink light and transform into larger more powerful Pokémon. When they emerged the Mega Evolution sigil appeared completing the transformation. I narrowed my eyes in a little bit of anger. Man did they do this early.
"Hey how do we have a chance now?" I asked with irritation. They notice and look triumphant.
"You showed how you combined your power with strategy which we would like to counter." They say with a smirk. That is a pretty good explanation though I'll give them that. We were out battling them.
"It's ok Ash we can do this. We need to overcome the fear of Mega Evolution and just battle." She said which surprised me. No offense to Serena, but I would have not expected her to say that. She is a smart and laid back person. That is something that I would have said. Something reckless. I just nodded and looked at Greninja.
"Greninja you ready to give it a go?" I ask. Serena looked at me shocked.
"Ash don't. You haven't mastered it and you could get hurt." She said in concern and a little bit of desperation. I looked at her confused.
"But why? I know you really want to win this so a little extra strength could help." I say.
"But we can still win with strategy." She says. I take a moment to reflect. I then look at her and can tell she really wants to win, but I can tell she does not want me getting hurt. I want her to win. I can tell she did not want to win, she needed to win. And that is the only motivation I need.
"Sorry Serena, but I will risk it for a better chance for you to win." I said. She looked taken aback expecting me to not do it, but I need to. I faced forward and saw Greninja looking back at me over his shoulder waiting for my command. I nod signaling yes.
"Ash no!" She said. Too late. I'm already in the zone.
"Here we go Greninja! We're gonna get much, much stronger," I exclaim pulling my fists back. "Let's go!" I yell as my heart beat rises and my body heats up.
"Gre-nin-ja!" Greninja yells out. We both pull our arms back our fists facing the sky and while yelling and then it happened. The torrent of water rose from Greninja splashing me and Serena and the crowd as they cheered even though they don't know what is going on and it quickly surrounded him as he transformed. I'm not sure this is a Mega Evolution, but so much power builds inside of me and I can feel Greninja's power rise too. Then the torrent dies down as he was surrounded by the veil of water. I can see him more clearly than before though. His eyes were red as if we Mega Evolved and his body looks a lot like my attire with his head looking like my hat and his torso looking like my shirt. I take a deep breath as my vision suddenly changes to Greninja's.
"Greninja. Let's go!" I yell as raw power surges through me. Pierre and Aria look looked on in shock and a little bit of panic. Even Palermo looked shocked.
"Greninja!" He yells out with the same volume of voice. Everyone in the audience is surprised by what just happened. I wouldn't blame them. They were amazed by the Mega Evolution, but I'm guessing that changing forms without a stone was even more of a shock. Pierre and Aria looked extremely shocked and amazed at it and when I looked over at Serena I made a double-take as to what I saw. She was looking at me shaking her head with different emotions coursing through her face. Irritation, annoyance, shame and it looked like it was toward me, but I shook it off and faced back forward as the real battle was now beginning.
"Alright Greninja use Water Shuriken on Ninetails!" I say as he creates multiple Shurikens each bigger than normal and hurled them at Ninetails with speeds faster than cars on a freeway.
"Quick use Overheat!" Pierre said as it released a spiral of flames from it's mouth. Unfortunately for Pierre it wasn't enough as the shurikens exploded before Ninetails could create the attack. The explosion caused Ninetails to stagger with pain.
"Delphox use Mystical Fire on Greninja." Aria said as it released flames from it's stick and struck Greninja. A sharp pain hit me in my side. I fall to one knee. What was that?
"Ash are you alright?" Serena asked with concern.
"Yeah. But I don't know what just happened. It's as though I felt the pain Greninja experienced from that Mystical Fire." I said as I looked at my side to see if there was any blood or anything. Nothing. Everything was just fine. I looked over at Serena. Her look of concern turned back to the look before and I felt bad once more. This time it stuck, but I didn't let it get the best of me.
"Told you not to do it." She said with a little anger. I had nothing to say. That fueled me which then fueled Greninja.
"Grrr. Alright Greninja let's go. Use Cut on Ninetails!" I say as Greninja created two blades of cut and raced towards Ninetails. I sense that Serena felt bad after I growled.
"Now use Crush Claw!" Pierre said. Ninetails' claws grew again as it raced to match the Cut and match it did as it cancelled it out, but I wasn't done.
"Now Water Shuriken on Delphox!" I yell as he quickly pulls out 3 shurikens each the size of a huge cog in a machine and tossed them at Delphox.
"Use Dark Pulse and block that!" Pierre commanded his Ninetails. She then shot out a dark beam of energy and it collided with the three shurikens and came out even with a smoke cloud.
"Alright now Cut!" I say as he dashed into the smoke and went to go hit Delphox.
"Crush Claw!" I heard Pierre yelled and then I felt another pain in my side and I fell to one knee.
"Ash!" Serena gasped.
"I'm fine." I slightly groaned. The smoke cleared as Greninja came back to my side.
"Can't do the same strategy twice now Ash that is very dangerous." Pierre says in and way to inform, but in a little bit of a taunting voice too. That put a smile on my face.
"Oh we'll see about that." I say with a smirk.
"Greninja use Water Shuriken on the battlefield!" I yell as he creates the three shurikens and then tossed them into the ground closer to Aria and Pierre's side. Smoke appeared once more.
"Alright watch for it and prepare Crush Claw." I hear Pierre. Just what I wanted to hear.
"Now Water Shuriken!" I say as he then creates three shurikens again. Two in one of his fins and one in the other. One was for Delphox two was for Ninetails. He then sent them into the smoke and then after a split second I hear an explosion then some cries. Yes! It worked!
"Good job Greninja." I praise. He looks back and nods with a smirk.
"Hmm that was welled played. I guess you can pull that off twice. You are full of surprises Ash." Pierre said.
"Thanks. I work hard with my Pokémon." I say with pride.
"But let's finish this. Ninetails Overheat!" He says.
"Mystical Fire on Braxien!" Aria says.
"Flamethrower!" Serena says.
"Use Cut!" I said loudly. And then Ninetails and Greninja were sparring and then both the Mystical fire and the Flamethrower collided. This time Delphox came out stronger and the Mystical Fire overpowered the Flamethrower and hit Braxien.
"Braxien no!" Serena said in concern.
"Grrr." I say. Greninja looks over his shoulder at Braxien and sees her slumped and I can feel that it set him off.
"Alright Water Shuriken close up!" I say as he creates Water Shuriken and then slices at Ninetails and she winces as I know that it was a hit.
"Now finish this with Aerial Ace!" I yell as Greninja's fin glows white and he grabs it as if he couldn't control his power. His power was overflowing. He raced towards Ninetails and struck it with all of his might and Ninetails slumped to the ground and reverted back to it's old form as it lay defeated.
"Ninetails is unable to battle. Delphox is the remaining Pokémon on their side." Palermo said. All of the sudden a wave of exhaustion hit me as I fell to the ground and I saw Greninja fall as he changed back to his original form. I had to forfeit to prevent any further exhaustion.
"I forfeit to save any further exhaustion for Greninja." I say.
"Ash has forfeited and it is now Serena's Braxien vs. Aria's Delphox." Palermo announces.
"Win this Serena." I say panting. She nods, but not looking at me. She was still mad, but she wanted to win.
"Let's go Braxien!" She yells and a light surrounds Braxien. I know what's happening next. And this was gonna help her win.
Serena's POV
What I saw next surprised me. Braxien began shapeshifting as a white light envelopes her. She's evolving. After a few more moments the light died down and what was once Braxien was now Delphox. I pull out my Pokédex.
"Delphox. The Fox Pokémon. And the final form of Fennekin. It gazes into the flame at the tip of its branch to achieve a focused state, which allows it to see into the future." My Pokédex said. Finally. Delphox. I smiled as I was sure to win. I look over at Ash. He was looking down while breathing slightly heavy still. He looked exhausted. But I smile a little. I was a little upset at him for not listening to me, but you know what, he helped me out.
"Alright Delphox let's win this!" I exclaim.
"Del." It says. Aria was in awe, but shook out of it as she smirked.
"Just because it evolved doesn't mean it can beat my Mega Evolved Delphox." She said. I just smile.
"Let's see about that," I mutter with a smirk getting ready to command Delphox.
"Alright Delphox use Mystical Fire!" I yell as she created flames out of her stick bigger than the ones from Aria's Delphox before it Mega Evolved.
"You use Mystical Fire." Aria said as her Delphox did the same thing. The two attacks collided and to my shock they came out even. Even she was surprised.
"Alright Delphox. Show them your new move. Use Sacred Fire!" I yell as Delphox focuses and then she takes her stick and a glowing blue light appeared and she slams it into the ground causing a huge amount of flames to rise from the ground. Like Blast Burn, but different.
"Sacred Fire?!" Ash asked very surprised.
"Quick now use Fire Blast!" Yelled Aria. But she did it in panic. I've never heard panic in her voice before. The two attacks collide, but thanks to my attack coming from the ground it pushed back the Fire Blast and hit Delphox.
"Alright now use Night Slash." I say as Delphox launched off, her stick glowing purple, and striking Aria's Delphox. My Delphox stepped back and waited for the smoke to clear. Her Delphox was still standing, but was heavily breathing.
"Ok use Mystical Fire!" Aria yells as her Delphox creates the flames, which were even more powerful than before and they race toward my Delphox. Blaze.
"Now Delphox use Psywave full power." I say as she creates a powerful wave of pink energy and it collides with the Mystical Fire. The Mystical Fire overpowers the Psywave and hits my Delphox and she was flown back near me.
"Oh no Delphox!" I say.
"It's over now." She says, but to her surprise it wasn't. Delphox got up and let out a yell. I think her Blaze was activating.
"Alright let's go Delphox! Use Sacred Fire and finish this!" I yell and with all her power Delphox summons a field of flames far more powerful than the last one.
"Ok use Fire Blast full power!" Aria says. The two attacks collide and once more the Sacred Fire out powers the Fire Blast and hits Aria's Delphox and it is sent flying back towards Aria. A massive dust cloud was formed. This was the moment that would decide if I got my first Princess Key. After a minute the dust settles and what I saw was Aria's Delphox lying on the ground with swirls in its eyes. We won. We beat Aria. If only it was a battle for the Kalos Crown.
"Aria's Delphox is unable to battle so the winner is Ash and Serena!" Palermo announces and the crowd goes wild.
"Oh my Arceus we won. Delphox we won!" I yell as I race towards her and give her a big hug.
"You were great." I said. She gave me a tired smile. I smiled back.
"Congratulations Serena." Ash says as he approaches me. I immediately feel bad for being mad at him earlier.
"Thank you Ash. Look I'm sorry for snapping at you back there. If it weren't for you I wouldn't have won. Thank you so much." I said gratefully. He just slightly nodded as he slumped forward and fell. I caught him before he could hit the ground onto his face. I immediately began to worry.
"You're welcome. You do know that Sacred Fire is a move only Ho-Oh can learn right?" He asks.
"I did not. So that's why you were so surprised." I said as he nods his head.
"I'm so glad that you won." He said with a croak as he then stumbled and then fell to the ground as he passed out. I then saw Greninja fall too. It was at the exact time Ash fainted. I felt his forehead and it was hot. He had a fever. I began panicking. I looked out calling for help.
"I need help quick. Ash is burning up!" I say almost crying as I continued to look at Ash. I tried shaking him. He's not waking up.
