Chapter 82: Trial by Tower Part 1

Intrigued by the information Danika had given them, Ash, Goh, Lillie, and Chloe decided to head back to the Isle of Armor to learn more about Kubfu and Urshifu. It was a long boat trip, but at last they docked on the island. Avery was there, and was quite surprised to see them.

"Here I thought you were our new students. What brings you back here?"

"Is Master Mustard available? We have some questions we'd like to ask him about Kubfu."

"He's in the dojo right now, but I'm sure he has time for you."

"Great, thanks Avery."

Mustard was overseeing his students sparring with one another when he spotted the group enter. With a smile, he motioned for Avery to take over before running over to greet them.

"Ah, Ash and friends, welcome!"

Ash and Goh bowed to him before shaking his hand.

"It's good to see you again, Master."

"Oh please boys, no need to make me feel old. Just Mustard is fine. So, what brings you to my humble island?"

"We were wondering if we could talk to you about Kubfu?"

Mustard's face fell.

"Oh dear, has something happened?"

"No, no, not at all. You see, one of your former students told us about how Kubfu evolves into Urshifu, and we were wondering if you could help explain why. Do you remember Danika and Quillon?"

Mustard's face lit up once more.

"Ah, my fifth and fourth favorite students! How are they?"

"They're doing well, and their Kubfu have evolved into Urshifu."

"As I knew they would. And I suppose you want to evolve your Kubfu as well."

"Well, its more like they want to, but what our Pokemon want we're happy to give."

Mustard glanced down at the two Wushu Pokemon, who cheered. With that, his grin grew even wider.

"Well then, I think it's time you took on the final trial in your training."

Ash and Goh listened intently as Mustard continued his speech.

"On this island there stand two towers: The Tower of Darkness and the Tower of Waters. Inside you will find the answers that you seek, but be warned. This is no easy task. Not even Leon, strong as he is, could never pass this challenge."

This got Ash and Goh's attention. A challenge that not even the strongest trainer in the world could pass? Now they had to accept. Mustard held out two maps.

"You can only enter each tower with only Kubfu, and once you have entered one you cannot go to the other."

Ash and Goh nodded and took one map each. Ash decided to tackle the Tower of Waters, while Goh decided to head for the Tower of Darkness. Mustard nodded at their decision.

"Good luck. I have faith that you will prevail."

With one final bow to their teacher, Ash and Goh set out for their respective missions, with Chloe and Lillie right behind.

Ash didn't have to go too far to find the Tower of Waters, given that it was on the beach. A dojo student guarded the entrance, and stopped him as he approached.

"Master Mustard told me you would be coming. Leave all of your Pokemon except Kubfu behind. This trial is for only the two of you."

He then turned to Lillie.

"Only the challenger is allowed through these doors. You are welcome to wait here."

Lillie pouted, but Ash reassured her.

"Don't worry, Kubfu and I will be out before you know it. Right, buddy?"

"Kubfu!"

Lillie smiled, and took Pikachu off of Ash's shoulder, as well as his other Pokeballs.

"Right, here we go!"

"Ash, wait!"

Ash turned around, and Lillie gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Good luck."

"Thanks."

With that, Ash stepped into the tower, ready for whatever challenge awaited him.

He found the inside of the tower to be rather sparse. Only a few torches lined the walls, and a medium sized battlefield and some training equipment lined the walls. On the far side was a staircase, guarded by a female student.

"Challenger Ash, welcome. If you want to advance, you must defeat me in battle. Are you ready to accept my challenge?"

"I was born ready! Go, Kubfu!"

"Psyduck, prepare for battle!

"Use Water Gun, Psyduck!"

"Iron Head, Kubfu!"

Kubfu bent down, using his iron-coated head to reduce the impact of the blast. Once the attack had subsided, Kubfu charged and rammed Psyduck, making his opponent quack in pain.

"Aqua Tail, Psyduck!"

"Catch and throw him, Kubfu!"

Kubfu acted quickly, catching Psyduck's tail and tossing him into the air, only taking minor damage in the process.

"Water Pulse Psyduck!"

"No!"

Kubfu tried to avoid it, but the attack hit him, not only leaving him wet, but also confusing him. But Ash wasn't about to give up.

"Hit yourself with Dynamic Punch!"

Kubfu nodded, smashing his fist into his face, snapping him out of his confusion, much to the confusion of the student.

"Why would you order Kubfu to attack himself?"

"Now use Counter!"

Before the student could react, Kubfu ran up and dealt a swift uppercut to her Psyduck, sending the Pokemon flying into a wall. As it slid down, its eyes turned into swirls, indicating it was knocked out. With a sigh, the student returned her Psyduck to its Pokeball and bowed to Ash.

"Well done, you have defeated me. I never would've thought you'd use Counter like that. You may now move on to the second floor."

Ash bowed before climbing the stairs, beginning his ascent up the tower.

Ash climbed up the tower's four floors, battling each trainer he came across along the way. All of them came at him with their Water-type Pokemon: first was a Krabby, then a Marill, and finally a Poliwhirll.

"Poliwhirl, use Hydro Pump!"

"Dodge, then use Brick Break, Kubfu!"

Kubfu narrowly avoided the blast of water before running up to Poliwhirl and smashing his fist into Poliwhirl, causing the Water-type to faint. Despite losing, the student was proud to have fought a good battle, and bowed to Ash out of respect.

"Congratulations, Ash. You have defeated all of the students in the tower."

"I couldn't have done it without Kubfu! Right, buddy?"

"Kubfu!"

Their fellow student pointed towards the last flight of stairs leading to the top floor.

"Your final challenger awaits. Good luck to you both."

Ash and Kubfu bowed before making their ascent, ready for what lay ahead.

At the top of the tower, Ash found a room just like the rest, with one exception. On the far wall was a scroll with symbols on it that Ash couldn't read. Mustard waited for him, applauding his efforts.

"Well done, Ash! I just knew you could make it!"

"Thank you."

"Now, there is only one person who stands between you and completing the test."

Ash, confused, looked around at the empty room. There was nobody else there.

"But we're the only ones here."

Mustard grinned, and threw his clothes and hat off to reveal a yellow tank top and gray jeans beneath his usual outfit.

"That's right, so brace yourself! Or are you scared?"

Ash grinned, not one to back down from a challenge.

"Not at all! Ready, Kubfu?"

"Kubfu!"

"I like your spirit! Go, Kubfu!"

Ash and Kubfu stared in awe as an older, much more experienced Kubfu appeared in front of them.

"Are you ready, Ash?"

Ash grinned, twisting his cap around.

"Born ready! Kubfu, use Dynamic Punch!"

"Block and use Close Combat!"

Ash's Kubfu ran up and tried to punch his opponent, but the older Kubfu ducked underneath and began dealing swift punches to his opponent.

"Close Combat as well!"

Ash's Kubfu gritted his teeth and began returning the punches with his own. The two Wushu Pokemon went at it for several minutes, going blow for blow and kick for kick.

"Aerial Ace!"

"Zen Headbutt!"

Ash's Kubfu swiped his arm, creating a strong slice of wind that Mustard's Kubfu ducked under, the wind grazing his fur as it sailed overhead. Undeterred, the more experienced Kubfu headbutted Ash's, sending the younger Pokemon skidding back.

"Kubfu, are you alright?"

Kubfu growled triumphantly. He was getting tired, but was not ready to back down yet.

"Alright, then use Focus Punch!"

"Use Focus Punch as well, Kubfu!"

The two Pokemon charged up all their energy before running at each other, the collision of their attacks creating a small explosion that forced the two apart.

"Counter, Kubfu!"

Ash's Kubfu growled,dealing a swift right hook to his opponent, making them reel in pain.

"Use Counter as well!"

Recovering quickly, Mustard's Kubfu hit Ash's with a powerful uppercut, bringing his opponent to the brink of fainting.

"Counter, one more time!"

With as much strength as he could manage, Ash's Kubfu smashed his fist into his opponent's chest, the force from the impact sending his opponent flying. Mustard's Kubfu flew so far back that he hit the gong at the end of the room, the sound ringing throughout the small space. When Mustard went to check on him, the Wushu Pokemon was out cold.

"Yes, we did it! Kubfu, you were awesome!"

Despite how tired he was, Kubfu gave a weary thumbs up. Mustard laughed heartily, clapping proudly at his student's achievement.

"Yes, well done indeed! You have raised Kubfu exceptionally well. And as a reward for your efforts, I give to you the secret of Kubfu's evolution."

He then walked over to the far wall and removed the scroll. He then walked over to them and handed the scroll to Kubfu, who then took and read it. The moment he finished reading, he began to glow brightly, and grow. When the light settled down, Kubfu was now the same type of Urshifu that Danika has.

"Urshifu!"

"Wow, you did it, Kubfu! Or should I call you, Urshifu?"

"Yes, a Rapid Strike Urshifu, a Water and FIghting type. And might I add, the perfect Pokemon for you."

Urshifu bowed respectively to Mustard, who chuckled.

"No need to be so formal, my friend! Happy to help you reach your full potential."

"Now to wait for Goh to complete his training. I hope he succeeds."

"I'm certain that he will."