Pokemon Journeys
Ash vs Leon Part 1:
A Chilling Beginning!
Ash sends out his pokemon from their pokeballs in a hallway. Dragonite, Gengar, Lucario, Sirfetch'd, and Dracovish join pikachu in a circle around their trainer.
"Okay guys! Todays the big day we take down Leon and prove were the best like no one ever was!" Ash yells as he throws a fist towards his pokemon, who reply with determined cries as they fist bump him.
At the Galar Stadium in Wyndon, many Rotom drones hover over the battlefield, shooting fireworks before their cameras flicker, recording live the stadium where the finals of the Masters 8 tournament is about to begin.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" The announcer begins yelling over the intercom. "Its finally that time of year again! The time for the finals of the Masters 8 Tournament. Here we will see who will be this years number 1 Pokemon trainer in the world!" He yells.
The stadium erupts in cheers as Dawn Chloe and Eevee watch as Piplup wearing a cheerleader uniform and palms cheers and dances. Sonia and Hop watch on the other end of the stadium.
At Pallet town, All of Ash's Pokemon and his mom, Tracey, and Professsor Oak watch. Across the world, Ash's former companions and rivals also watch, eager to see if Ash will become the new Monarch. Alola especially has a jumbo tron watching the match as countless citizen's await to see their champion.
(Movie theme intro ost) watch?v=SgY4xP7iYZ8
"First, from our very own Galar region, the champion of the Galar league who remains undefeated to this day! He defeated Alain and the Kalos champion Diantha in no time flat, he possesses overwhelming strength and determination with his dynamax band, the current monarch Leon!" The announcer yells as Leon himself enters the stadium from the left entrance and the crowd cheers.
"GO BIG BRO!" Hop yells.
"GO LEON!" Sonia yells.
"Then, from the Kanto Region's Pallet Town. The champion of the Alola region and rank 2 after defeating the Hoenn champion Steven Stone and the Sinnoh champion Cynthia. He possesses great spirit and ingenuity in battle wielding not just dynamax like Leon, but also Mega evolution and Z-Moves (we see snapshots of Ash's accessories as they are mentioned), facing Leon for his title of Monarch is… Ash Ketchum!" He yells as Ash runs into the stadium from the right waving to the crowd with Pikachu.
"GO ASH!" Dawn yells along with the crowd's cheers.
"Will Ash be the first to deliver the stinging sensation of defeat to Leon and end his record, or will the current Monarch retain his title and once again showcase himself as the words strongest?! WE'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT!" He yells along with the crows.
As both trainers make it to the battlefield in their respective corners, Dan the referee rides in on his Aegislash.
"This finals match will be a 6 on 6 full battle. No time limit. Pokemon substitutions are allowed for both competitors. The match is over when all 6 Pokemon on either side are unable to battle or one side forfeits. In addition, you are each allowed a single use of one of the following mechanics, Dynamax, Mega-" Dan began saying before a loud cry interrupted him to his and Ash's shock.
"HOLD IT!" Leon had yelled. Dan flew closer to Leon after this on his Aegislash.
"What is it Leon?" Dan asked curious.
"Just one use is no fun at all. Ash use them ALL!" Leon exclaimed, causing Ash's eyes to widen.
"All of them?" Ash said confused.
"To be here at the finals of the biggest Pokemon match of the year, its only fitting to have our pokemon unleash their biggest potential. Dynamaz, Mega Evolution, and Z-moves! I want to face them all, and crush them all! That's a real champion time don't you all think so?!" Leon exclaimed to the crowd, which erupted in chorus excitedly.
"YOU SAID IT BIG BRO!" Hop cheered, though the screeches of like minded fans drowned him out so Leon couldn't hear.
"That's so like him." Sonia sighed, not surprised by Leon's brashness. He was putting himself at a massive disadvantage facing all 3 mechanics with only Dynamax at his disposal, but then again. "You always did love a challenge." She said warmly.
Dan began talking on the phone to the owners of the league, everyone anxiously waiting for their answer.
"Right then…. Thank you, I'll let them know." Dan quietly said as he hung up and flew to the center of the arena.
"THE POKEMON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITY HAD GIVEN THEIR APPROVAL FOR LEON'S PROPOSAL. CONTESTANT ASH, DO YOU ACCEPT?" He asked, not sure if Ash would want the bonus or to face Leon under the same conditions. He saw Ash fight several times in the coronation series, and he didn't seem the type to pull dirty punches, rather he faced his opponents as equals with respect and not childish entitlement for greatness (i.e. tantrums when losing). He didn't have to wait long to hear the answer as Ash's face bolted with excitement.
"You bet! I want to show Leon everything we got!" Ash roared, the crowd following, almost knocking Team Rocket off the edge of the stands from the startle.
"HEY TWERP! Don't go giving us heart attacks or concussions like that!" Jessie roared, but the crowds cheers deafened her as Leon and Ash got into position, the latter holding his first Pokeball. Dan flies in between the two readying to observe the match.
"On the count of 3, send out your first Pokemon." He yells, Ash and Leon nodding in compliance. "3….2…..1!" He yelled.
"CINDERACE!
"PIKACHU!"
"I CHOOSE YOU!" Both Leon and Ash yell as Pikachu leaps out to the stadium arena and Leon's Pokeball is thrown and pops open, leading to a Cinderace to come out and start hopping in place, both ready for battle. Ash and Leon's faces on the battleboard have images of Pikachu and Cinderace replace unopened Pokeball icons on the screens, indicating their active and revealed Pokemon.
"The finals of the Coronation Series are now underway, BATTLE BEGIN!" Dan yells. Ash wastes no time in calling out his move, after all, the first to strike is usually the first to win in his experience.
(Battle wild galar ost anime) watch?v=16K9u-u_w38
"PIKACHU THUNDERBOLT!" He yells, Pikachu jumps in the air and slaps its red cheek pouches as it charges electricity.
"CINDERACE USE SCORCHING SANDS!" Leon yells with a smirk, ready to counter with a plan of his own. Cinderace's head glows a gold-like brown as it kicks the dirst and unleashes a ball of hot sand at Pikachu before getting zapped by the Thunderbolt. Pikachu tries to lean back and dodge, but a bit of the hot sand hits its stomach, sending Pikachu flying back towards Ash's position, but a cry from his trainer alerts it to the dangerous landing and he backflips to land on his tail, taking a second to huff and catch his breath from the minor damage.
"BOTH SIDES TOOK HITS! PIKACHU SEEMS FINE, BUT HOW MUCH DAMAGE DID CINDERACE TAKE?" The announcer states curiously.
To both Pikachu and Ash's shock, Cinderace emerges from the lightening unfazed, having seemingly received no damage.
"Not even a scratch?" Ash asks confused.
"ASH! I TAKE IT YOU NEVER EXPERIENCED THE LIBERO ABILITY?" Leon yells so Ash can hear, the boys ears perking as he caught those last words especially.
"LIBERO!?" He yells confused and shocked so Leon can hear him.
"THAT'S RIGHT! WHEN THE USER ATTACKS, THEIR TYPES CHANGE TO MATCH THE MOVES TYPE. SINCE SCORCHING SANDS IS A GROUND TYPE MOVE…" Leon yells amused, making Ash's eyes widen as he realizes at last.
"Cinderace became a ground type." Ash says horrified. So long as that was the case, Cinderace was immune to electric attacks. Ash stole a quick glance at his Z ring, especially the Pikashunium Z crystal on it.
"Even my best ones are useless." Ash thought bitterly. As much as he wanted to score his first win with his first Pokemon ever, Ash knew a drawn out battle with this type of opponent wasn't a good idea for Pikachu.
"PIKACHU! Come back!" Ash yelled, returning Pikachu to his side and out of the battle.
"Don't worry buddy, you'll get another chance soon." Ash says warmly as he rubs Pikachu's head and it coos.
Dawn sighs in relief at the smart decision. Cynthia and Diantha nod in the private booth above at this sight.
"Since electricity is useless right now…." Cynthia said.
"Right, it was the only thing he could do in that situation." Diantha said in confirmation. She was glad to see Ash wasn't losing his cool and making wise decisions. Her last loss to him and his Greninja in Kalos showed her he could be passionate and strong, but she always worried he'd be the type to just recklessly abandon all disadvantages once swept up in the flow of battle. Apparently not, she was glad to see as she wanted the battle to last long…
"At least longer than mine was." She thought to herself sadly. She wasn't a sore loser, but couldn't help be embarrassed. She was the Kalos champion, yet only beat 2 of Leon's Pokemon before losing. It was downright shameful for a champion by her belief and hoped history wouldn't repeat itself for her friend and rival.
As soon as Ash grabbed a new Pokeball, Leon took out Cinderaces.
"RETURN CINDERACE!" He yells as a red beam shoots out of the ball and recalls Cinderace into it to Ash's surprise. Leon grabs a new one as well. Ash shook his head defiantly.
"No, No, don't lose your cool it's still too early." Ash thought as he threw his ball and Leon replied in kind.
"SIRFETCH'D!"
"AEGISLASH!"
"GO!" Both yelled.
The crowd goes "oooh!" when seeing the duck carrying a massive shield and a leak sword but take especial note of Leon's Pokemon glistening as it exits its ball.
"HERE IT IS, LEON'S SPECIAL AEGISLASH, WITH THOSE BLACK AND RED COLORS!" The announcer declares as Ash and Dawn in the stands eye its different colors awed. Even Dan's Aegislash ride spasms a bit in excitement seeing one of its own kind, but Shiny instead of a normal version.
"HEY! Don't forget it's a fight were having not a beauty contest! Swords Dance!" Leon yells, snapping everyone out of their stupor as Aegislash in shield form flies up a bit and is surrounded by energy swords that clash, raising its attack power by two stages.
(Battle galar trainer 2 ost anime) watch?v=dkX508MoUvQ
"SIRFETCH'D! USE LEAF BLADE! Ash declared as the duck swordsman charged forward with its leak sword glowing green, courtesy of the training Sceptile gave it a few weeks ago. Sceptile's eyes glowed as it cheered at the tv screen knocking Tracey and Oak off their seats to Quilava and Totodile's amusement.
But Leon's smirks as well, having expected this.
"AEGISLASH! KINGS SHIELD!" Leon hollers, but Ash's eyes squint as his hears this.
"That's it." He thinks as Aegislash erects an energy barrier from its shield, stopping the blade and Sirfetch'd in its tracks. Streams of blue energy go downward from its body as King shields lowers its attack the announcer points out.
"Brutal Swing!" Ash yells, having waited for this one protect move and only really used the first attack to get close. Sirfetch'd yells at its sword glows red, its shield glowing red as well as it twirls and bashed the shield into Aegislash's side, staggering it.
"IT'S SUPEREFFECTIVE!" The announcer yells.
"Awesome Ash! Shouldn't expect anything less from Alola's champion. LETS HAVE A CHAMPION TIME! SACRED SWORD!" Leon hollers excited as he fist pumps the air. Aegislash dislodges itself from the ground and assumes its attack stance, it's blade glowing bright blue. Ash sweats nervously, having remembered it's attack boost earlier from Swords dance.
"DETECT!" He yells, the duck Pokemon's eyes shining a bit as it back flipped to dodge the blade going into where it was and getting stuck in the ground. Ash wanted his Pokemon to get a distance back less they become vulnerable while charging their best move.
"METEOR ASSAULT!" He yells, making Leon and Dawn look surprised.
"BUT ASH! FIGHTING TYPE MOVES DON'T WORK ON GHOSTS!?" Dawn yells confused, but Ash smirks. That's what im counting on everyone thinking.
Sirfetch'd takes its stance, aiming its blade straight at Aegislash as it jolts a bit from electricity before glowing yellow and charging up.
"Aegislash! Shadow Sneak!" Leon orders, knowing Aegislash couldn't get out right now as its blade glowed purplish black and a shadow shot out from it behind the duck Pokemon, a specter waving a hand and smacking Sirfetch'd in the back, staggering it as it slapped some more, making the blade lose its glow.
"SIRFETCH'D FOCUS YOUR ENERGY!" Ash hollers, Wikstrom crying in his seat as he watches Sirfetch'd do just that and dispel the shadow with a bright flaming light erupting from its body.
"Such Chivalry!" he tearfully cheers.
"METEOR ASSAULT!" Ash yells and sirfetch'd roars as it charges in. Leon raises an eyebrow confused.
"Why take all that damage? Why use a fighting…. WAIT!" Leon yells in his head as he realizes a possibility.
"AEGISLASH! SACRED SWORD WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT!" Leon hollers as Aeglislash's blade glows blue again and manages to slice the ground and release itself as both mons blades collided creating a huge explosion. When the dust clears both mons slide back, breathing heavily but still standing, Aegislash now free from the dirt in fact. Ash looks frustrated by this, but Leon just laughs.
"So…. Sirfetch'd's ability IS Scrappy huh?" Leon asks amused, already knowing the answer as Ash's nods.
"Scrappy?" Chloe asks Dawn who shrugs her shoulders, never hearing about that either.
"SCRAPPY! AN ABILITY THAT LETS FIGHTING AND NORMAL MOVES DAMAGE GHOST POKEMON! INCREDIBLE!" The announcer declares.
Ash eyes sirfetch'd breathing hard and narrows his eyes concerned.
"We lost some power and Aegislash is free with swords dance and King's shield ready. I got to go big or fall here." Ash thought to himself as he eyes his dynamax band. He chuckles a bit at the irony, the item Leon gifted him will be his own undoing. Ash pulled out his Pokeball.
"RETURN SIRFETCH'D" He says as he recalls as the announcer points out.
"GENGAR I CHOOSE YOU!" Ash yells as he throws Gengars Pokeball and the mon gives off a battle cry. Suddenly Ash recalls Gengar to the crowds confusion.
"WHAT'S THIS? IS ASH FORGOING THE CLASH OF GHOSTS OR…." The announcer asks before pondering something Leon already knows is coming.
"Here it is." Leon says quietly bracing himself while grinning, filled with excitement as he sees Ash's Dynamax Band shoot energy into Gengar's ball and enlarge it.
"LETS GO BIG! GIGANTAMAX!" Ash yells.
(dynamax theme) watch?v=1cfFhXo1axM
Gengar comes out of the enlarges ball from the ground gigantic as its red eyes glow yellow and tongue and mouth grows big, with red clouds hovering over its head indicating its Gigantamaxed state. Allister watches from his rotom phone in the Gym as this happens, nodding with approval for his friend's power up.
"AND CONTESTANT ASH UNLEASHES GIGANTAMAX, HIS FIRST MECHANIC TODAY! CAN HE BEAT DOWN AEGISLASH WITH THIS!?" The announcer asks.
"No problem, big bro can handle anything." Hop says quietly from the stand, intensely focused on the battle.
"AEGISLASH, SWORDS DANCE!" Leon orders. Shiny Aegislash powers up 2 more attack stages.
"GENGAR! G-MAX TERROR!" Ash commands, G-max Gengar roars at its summons purple energy that takes the shape of several tea pots, bar stools, and tables and shoes.
"AEGISLASH! SACRED SWORD!" Leon orders as the sword and shield pokemon slashes those energy items furiously before one hits it, ensnaring it in a binding ring.
"SUPEREFFECTIVE! AND G-MAX TERROR NOW KEEPS AEGISLASH FROM SWITCHING, LEON'S IN A TIGHT SPOT!" The announcer yells.
"One more push. MAX STARFALL!" Ash orders.
"USE SHADOW SNEAK!" Leon orders as the moves hit, Starfall smashing into Aegislash and exploding it in pink energy while Gengar is smacked behind its back by Shadow Sneak, its body trembling from the shock as it returns to normal, breathing a bit heavily.
The smoke from Starfall clears, revealing Aegislash lying down with it's shield out of its limp hand.
"Aegislash!" Leon yells concerned.
"POWERFUL HITS! BUT IT LOOKS LIKE AEGISLASH'S DID THE TRICK AS GENGAR'S RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL STATE EARLIER THAN EXPECTED! BUT WHAT OF AEGISLASH!?" The announcer states as Dan and his Aegislash, the latter crying a bit, examine its body.
"AEGISLASH! IS UNABLE TO BATTLE!" Dan announces and the Audience, especially in Alola cheer. Aegislash's icon on the battle board turns grey, indicating its defeat.
"No way." Hop says surprised and dejected as does Sonia.
"Alright! Ash got the first win!" Dawn yells as she claps Chloe's hand ecstatic while Eevee and Piplup cheer.
At Oak's lab, Charizard lets loose a celebratory flamethrower while Noivern, shiny noctowl, and heracross fly excited and Totodile and Buizel jump for joy.
"Well done young man, keep up your guard though or…OMPF!" Oak says before being smothered by Muk and having his forehead bit playfully by Torterra to Delia and Tracy's amusement.
Leon returns Aegislash to it's Pokeball.
"You did a great job my friend. ASH! Very Impressive!" Leon yells with respect, drawing the boys attention as he nods.
"Same to your Aegislash!" Ash yells back.
"But don't get cocky! The fun's just getting started! GO INTELEON!" Leon yells as he takes out the next ball and throws it, unleashing an Inteleon to Ash's shock.
"First Cindrace… now an Inteleon, it's like I'm fighting Goh right now…. Except actually skilled." Ash thought a bit concerned. "Gengar! Brace yourself" Ash yells and Gengar nods.
"SLUDGE BOMB!" Ash yells and Gengar spits out 5 balls of sludge towards Inteleon.
(Power showdown ost) watch?v=aLnZ0iEgdgc
"Use Ice Beam." Leon nonchalantly says as Inteleon fires from both fingertips a beam of ice that freezes the sludge bombs and makes them drop in midair shattering them.
"That's big bro's Inteleon for you! It can dual wield with Sniper for deadly results." Hop says proudly.
"Gengar use Shadow Ball!" Ash yells and Gengar throws a purple ball with black electricity charged around it.
"INTELEON, SPIN AND USE AQUA JET!" Leon orders and Inteleon spins and unleashes a barrier of water around it as tidal waves smash the Shadow ball and knock Gengar around. Ash and Dawn gasps as they realize the move being used against him.
"COUNTER SHIELD!?" Ash and Dawn exclaim.
"Always good to learn from your rivals Ash!" Leon lectures playfully. Ash groans as he sees Gengar take damage getting knocked around.
"Who would have thought Leon would use one of Ash's moves." Dawn says concerned for her friends state, knowing the pressure he and Gengar were under.
Ash eyed the stream of water pounding Gengar, wondering if Dazzling Gleam would block them before looking at the battle board.
"If I don't hurry Gengar will fall right after beating Aegislash… wait a minute." Ash then eyed Cinderace next to Aegislash's icon.
"A fire type…." Suddenly Ash thought of the fusion of fire and water he experienced before as he saw the water waves spiraling out at Gengar and got an idea.
"That's it! GENGAR USE WILO-WISP ON THE WATER!" Ash yelled. Gengar quickly smacks its hands and its body heats up and glows before summoning many balls of purple fire that it throws at the waves as instructed. The water evaporates leaving steam that blinds Inteleon as it ceases spinning and looks around, unable to see, but ash can see its shadowy figure and smirks.
"Shadow Ball!" Ash orders as Gengar appears from underneath Inteleon's shadow and smacks its face with Shadow ball as the smog fades to Leon's surprise. Ash grin's feeling more confident.
"Now two for two. GENGAR USE SHADOW BALL!" Ash roars and Gengar throws another ball.
"Inteleon! Smash it and use Ice Beam!" Leon orders and Inteleon smacks the ball away with its large tail and shoots ice beam from its mouth, freezing Gengar. Gengar's body shivers but suddenly Inteleon's does too as it gets a shadowy aura around it and it cries a bit.
"Curse Body!?" Leon says bewildered and Ash nods.
"Yup, no more ice beam for a while!" Ash says confidently, but Leon smirks knowing its not necessary as it sees Gengar stuck in place.
"No matter, Dark Pulse!" Leon orders, Ash's blood almost freezes as he hears a super effective move he knows Gengar can't dodge coming up. Inteleon fires a double stream of black circles from its fingertips that blast through Gengar, smashing it from the ice and sending it flying and landing it on its back.
"GENGAR! PIKA!" Ash and Pikachu holler as Dan flies over too it and examines its body.
"GENGAR IS UNABLE TO BATTLE!" Dan announces and Gengar's icon on the board glows grey as a result. The crowd Cheers though Team Rocket and Ash's fans in the stand look dejected and unamused.
"It just won after Gigantamaxing and it lost right after…." Chloe says annoyed and Dawn nods while Piplup sighs.
Team rocket eat lava cookies from their boxes they are supposed to be selling and shake their heads disappointed.
"What a letdown." Meowth says.
"Great job Gengar, you deserve a good rest." Ash says with a sad smile as he recalls Gengar in its ball. A sudden yell from Leon draws his attention.
"I DEDICATE THIS WIN TO SHINY AEGISLASH! Leon roars as he points in the air.
"To Aegislash?" Ash says confused.
"Ash! I'm sure you know in a full battle, accumulated damage from your team can go a long way, like Aegislash's did…. Right?" Leon lectures teasingly, making Ash clench his hands as he processes this reality, adding further to his frustration from losing his Gengar.
(Narrator): Ash finds himself staring down a tall wall before him. Having already lost one of his Pokemon after tasting a bit of triump, will Ash find a way to beat Leon or will the Monarch make him taste bitter defeat. The Journey Continues…
(Logo: To be continued)