Well, here it is, the eighth part of the fifth and final installment in my 'Heart' series on the right day as promised. Three battles are in the bag and Ash still hasn't lost yet, he's extinguished the flames of Malva, parted the waves of Siebold, and blunted the blade of Wikstrom but now he has his toughest battle of the whole challenge as he ends it with the dragon specialist, Drasna. Will Ash be able to quell the power of her Pokémon or will she run over him? It's time to see and conclude Ash's Elite Four challenge as he takes on his fourth of his four greatest battles to date and with three victories under his belt, this one has become the greatest of all his battles with what is on the line if he can pull it off and go four for four. That is all the administrative stuff I have for this Part as the slight issue that has arisen in the last few days has been resolved so I don't need to go into it and while there are no questions to answer there is a guest reviews to respond to that I will do now. Do please keep your reviews coming as I love hearing from y'all.
To Lucarioblue (guest), thank you for your review and suggestion. I hadn't thought about that and I can easily add a Supplement focusing on the general reaction of all important people to the engagement when I get around to it. Between all my active stories and the only ideas I had for the Supplement being how Ash prepared for these battles I was going to do them all retroactive so that there were no spoilers for the teams Ash uses in the challenge. I always end up adding suggested Supplements as that is a great place to put suggested side stories so thank you for your suggestion, when I get around to it I'll make sure that there is one for it, it will either be the first or second one depending on things.
Anyway, that is it for this pre-Part note which means that it is once again time to sit back which and enjoy the latest installment in Heart of Champions. Part CXCVII: Taming the Beast.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.
Part CXCVII: Taming the Beast
Ash was nervous as he stood in entryway looking out over the fully repaired battlefield before him as he waited for the last time for clock to tell him when to walk out and face this battle. He wasn't nervous for the battle itself, after three days of battles that were the toughest of his life up to this point he could handle the fourth and final one of them. No, what made him nervous was what was at stake in this fourth battle, that was what got to him as it made it even more important and serious than any battle he'd had to date.
That was because and against all odds Ash was on the brink of doing something that hadn't been done in Kalos before and which hadn't been done in a challenge like this since Cynthia accomplished the feat in Sinnoh several years back as far he knew, sweep a region's Elite Four in the official challenge he'd earned from winning the regional Conference. It was possible of course but wasn't easy hence the additional right that Ash would gain if he pulled off this feat.
Of course the right that sweeping a regional Elite Four in the official challenge was the right to face that region's Champion for his or her title. In Ash's case that would allow him to face the Kalos Champion with her title on the line without having to spend at least a year in the Elite Four and surviving the next challenge to get a shot at it, that was what was at stake for Ash in today's battle.
Over the last 3 days Ash had gone from strength to strength as he first dispatched Malva and her fire types, then handled Siebold and his water types, before setting up this chance with his win the day before over Wikstrom and his steel types. That last battle had been the toughest and hardest of all of them as Ash had to come from behind to win and may have gone a little overboard in the ending when he'd beaten Mega Scizor with Mega Charizard.
It had been so intense in fact that he'd actually broken the battlefield beyond repair and the Kalos League had worked through the night to replace it so that there would be a working battlefield in time for the final battle of the challenge. They didn't blame Ash for it, the force at the end had been beyond anything that had been expected even with Mega Evolution taken into account as best as possible, but he'd still been told off for it and to try to not do it again.
Thankfully that wouldn't happen as Charizard, his only Pokémon capable of generating that level of force, was not on his team for the coming battle. No, this was a team specially selected to handle this specific battle because Ash was about to face off against the dragon type specialist and allegedly the strongest member of Kalos's Elite Four, Drasna.
Ash's team had been tailored to handle that kind of Pokémon either directly or in one case by learning a new move that the Pokémon could learn as he was needed regardless so Ash wanted some extra insurance there in addition to a move that Pokémon knew. Now, though, he was ready and he had to quell his nerves about what was to come as the time was at hand and the clocked ticked over so Ash began to walk out to the cheering crowds and the announcer for his fourth and final battle of his Elite Four challenge.
"Folks, here it is, the final battle in Ash's Elite Four Challenge that he earned by winning the Lumiose Conference." The announcer said as Ash walked over the bridge to his starting spot. "And for the first time in a long time, a challenger of the Kalos Elite Four is entering the final battle with 3 wins and no losses in the challenge and what wins they have been!"
The crowd let out a loud roar at that so the announcer shut up for a moment. When it ended he continued as Ash neared the battlefield and the crowd continued to cheer just not loud enough to drown out the announcer.
"In this challenge Ash has snuffed out Malva's flame, dried up Siebold's water, and in spectacular fashion that actually required a whole knew battlefield and a new set of regulations regarding how much the battlefield here can take, shattered Wikstrom's steel." The announcer said. "Now all Ash has left is to defeat the final member of the Elite Four and he's made history as no challenger since this was created has ever swept the Kalos Elite Four."
Ash for his part ignored the commentary as best he could while walking to the trainer's box that he'd come to know so well over the last few days. He needed his focus on what was to come and not the hype being done by the announcer as he got mentally ready for a battle that had a lot more at stake than just pride for beating every member of Kalos's Elite Four of he won. It was something the announcer reminded the crowd of as Ash stepped off the bridge and onto the battlefield.
"Folks, that means that if Ash wins today he'll have earned the additional right that you can only earn if you defeat all of a region's Elite Four in the official challenge." The announcer said as Ash came to a stop in his trainer's box. "That being the right to challenge the Champion herself in a full battle for her title without having to serve a year in the Elite Four. It is a rare honor indeed but a fitting one if you can sweep a region's Elite Four."
The crowd again roared at that causing the announcer to pause as Ash just waited. He knew that this was necessary so he patiently waited it out as the announcer really got the crowd pumped for the battle to come.
"That challenge will be in three days' time as we do need a break between now and then but first Ash must do what has only been done thrice before, most recently by Steven in Hoenn, and defeat the final member of the region's Elite Four that he's facing." The announcer continued. "And on that note, there is no need to wait any longer so it is time to introduce that final member. She's considered the strongest of the Kalos Elite Four and is one of the best dragon specialists in the world, give it up for Drasna!"
Ash didn't know that about Steven, he knew he'd taken the title of Champion from Wallace but not that it had been a sweep though he knew that it was pretty recent. He'd thought Cynthia was the last to do it as she'd confirmed that to him in Kanto after she met him following his loss in the Indigo Final the year before he came to Kalos, but that didn't matter to Ash right now.
Right now he had to get his head in the game and focus solely on this battle and what was at stake in it. He did so by looking at Drasna closely as she walked out of her side and down the bridge to him a warm smile on her face as the crowd cheered for her entrance.
He wasn't sure what to think of the woman at first glance but Ash took her in all the same noting that her black hair was parted in the middle and styled with several clumped strands that flowed out behind her as she walked. She also appeared to be the oldest of the four that Ash had faced and Ash pegged her as late 30 to early 40s with an almost motherly persona and slightly older, simpler, fashion style as she wore a three quarter length loose brown shirt and brown stripped skirt that came to just above her just above her ankles with a light brown belt around her waist.
However, what stood out the most with Drasna was her accessories and their style as they were, well, large draconic teethe. She had three on each wrist held there by bracelets with green stones between them as they curved back to where her sleeve ended from what Ash could make out, three on her sandals as the front of them, three in alternating point down, up, down on her belt and three long ones around her neck on a necklace with green beads between them and red and green ones past them. She even seemed to have one or two as part of her hair clasp though Ash wasn't certain about that.
The most striking though were her earrings as the large draconic teeth that were held on small red stones as the dangled from her ears and stuck out like tusks framing her face as she smiled and walked to her spot while the crowd cheered the entire time. Ash didn't notice a Mega Stone on her but he didn't doubt that she had it and a Pokémon to Mega Evolve if he pushed her to it, which he fully intended on doing, so he was fully ready for all that Drasna had to offer him.
"I must commend you on your performance so far in this challenge." Drasna said to Ash as she came to a stop in her box and opened her eyes to reveal they were a dark gray as she continued to smile warmly at him. "You've done amazing to beat my three colleagues and set up a chance at Diantha."
"Thank you." Ash said respectfully with a slight bow of his head to her. "It has taken a lot of work with my Pokémon and my friends to reach this point, I wouldn't be here without them. I will make all of them proud today."
"Humble as well, a good virtue to have." Drasna said her tone approving before it sharpened slightly. "But you will still have to get past me if you wish to have a shot at Diantha and I won't be so easy to beat. They say I'm the best and I'm willing to concur with them, only Diantha is stronger than me in Kalos as far as I am aware and I don't intend to lose that ranking now by losing to you."
"And I intend on beating you to earn that right so give me all you got because I'm not going to take you lightly." Ash said with a grin as he pulled out his first Poke Ball. "So let's get this started then."
"I agree, there is no need for talk or praise, I've said as much already." Drasna said her smile never faltering but her eyes hardening showing that there was more behind the smile as she got ready for the battle by pulling out her own first Poke Ball. "Show me what got you this far Ash, show me that skill and strength that defeat all of the Elite Four up to now."
"Folks this is it, the time for chatter is over, the time for the final battle of Ash's Elite Four Challenge is now upon us!" The announcer said excitedly as the crowd roared. "So without any more fanfare, battle begin!"
"Glalie, I choose you." Ash said tossing out the only ice type Pokémon he had and the second he'd ever caught as his first was Lapras who he'd released as promised years ago. "Start with Icy Wind and use it to get close and evade any counter attacks for what comes next."
"Noivern, go." Drasna said throwing out her own Poke Ball at the same time. "Defend it with Boomburst."
The Pokémon burst from their Poke Balls before their trainers with roars of battle, the floating head of ice that was Glalie before Ash and the flying and dragon type Noivern that Ash knew well as he had one himself flapping its wings before Drasna. Their images appeared in the first hexagons next to their respective trainers on the jumbotron just as both unleased their attacks at almost the same time.
A gust of chilled air blasted from Glalie's mouth and blew across the battlefield as Noivern's ears vibrated before it boomed out the area affecting sound attack that Ash knew well seeing as his Noivern knew it as well. Noivern was a good Pokémon for him to face as he had one so knew it well but Ash wasn't going to take Drasna's lightly especially because hers was almost certainly older than his and clearly had more battle experience.
That was shown as the Boomburst tore over the battlefield faster than what Ash's Noivern could manage before the force of the sound based attack dissipated the Icy Wind right after it made contact with it preventing it from being a threat to Noivern. That was good for ice was the worst type for a Pokémon like Noivern to face due to its type combination.
However the Icy Wind was just the opening attack and Glalie had used it to fly up and forward over the Boomburst, a rare dodge of an attack like that but as it had been aimed at the Icy Wind it had allowed Glalie to manage that, and get within range for Ash's next move. This was the real opening move in a way, and Ash called it out the moment that he had the opening.
"Now, Double Team." Ash said the moment Glalie was in position. "Into Headbutt."
"Not bad but not going to be an issue for us." Drasna said as Glalie created several shadow clones of itself that encircled Noivern as it hovered there looking around at the army of Glalies to see which was the real one. "Extend your wings and spin Noivern, bat it way and then use Flamethrower."
Noivern let out a noise of agreement as it extended its wings just as Glalie dove at it, all of his clones moving at the same time. Before any could reach Noivern though, Noivern had begun to spin in the air and as such rather than the planned slamming of Glalie's face into Noivern's back, the wings cut through the clones and then hit the side of the real Glalie with the membrane mitigating the damage a fair bit, though not entirely, by using Noivern's physical nature and sending Glalie spinning away from the deflection in the process.
As the had been happening Noivern's mouth was already filling with flames so that the moment that Glalie was sent careening away it stopped its spin showing its skill by doing so at the right moment so that it was facing Glalie and blasting out the intense stream of fire at the Face Pokémon. It was a great defense against ice type Pokémon and there was no way for Glalie to avoid it as the fire slammed into him and then washed over him. However, it wasn't enough to take him out and Ash already had the counter ready.
"Ice Beam." Ash said as the fire was washing over Glalie and he was wailing in pain from the super effective attack he'd just taken. "Use it the moment you can. You can do it Glalie, I know you can land the attack."
"Boomburst." Drasna called out. "Keep it at a distance."
Glalie had heard Ash's words and was already forming the Ice Beam in his mouth as the Flamethrower ran its course. He knew that he could take it so he used the cover of the fire that he was in to both create his attack and orientate himself while obscured to face Noivern and counter. This was the biggest battle Ash had ever had, he'd said as much to the team the night before because Ash had won the other three which put extra weight on this and Glalie wasn't going to let his trainer down.
He'd received the honor of this match, admittedly the team for this was heavy on type advantages be it because they were the right type or knew the right moves, so he was going to live up to the trust put in him by Ash as the fire ran its course and he opened his mouth the moment that it did to blast out the beam of ice he'd had ready. Noivern had no way of evading it as the ice tore over the battlefield the same way that the fire had and slammed into the Sound Wave Pokémon's chest.
Noivern let out a caw of pain from the blow and flipped back from the force of it as the doubly super effective attack struck but Noivern was strong and could withstand an attack like that so it used its wings to stabilize itself as its ears vibrated. As such, the moment that it was done it unleashed a second Boomburst that blasted at Glalie.
Unlike before where Glalie used the Icy Wind to evade the attack as that was what the Boomburst had been aimed at, he couldn't get away this time as the powerful normal type attack boomed out and into him. He let out a wail as he was rocked by the attack that he wasn't resistant or weak to but withstood it. It was a powerful attack that coupled with a Flamethrower was a lot to handle but he was tough, he could last as he flipped back and Ash knew it as he gave his next order.
"Icy Wind." Ash said as Glalie flipped back.
"Flamethrower." Drasna said as the chilled air billowed from Glalie's mouth and at Noivern for the second time that battle. "Blast it away."
"That's just what we need." Ash said the idea for how to use this to his advantage in his mind as flames filled Noivern's mouth before they burst from it. "Use the cover for Double Team in Ice Beam."
"Clever." Drasna said as the Flamethrower hit the Icy Wind and the attacks blew up on each other creating a dense mist between the Pokémon. "Noivern, cover yourself with your wings the moment the Ice Beam comes and then counter with Boomburst the moment that you can."
Noivern cawed in agreement as it flapped there waiting for what it knew was coming. That came a moment later as several blasts if ice shot out of the mist. Only one was real but Noivern didn't know which one it was so it used its wings the shield its body as the ice reached it mitigating some of the damage from the blow, a tactic that Drasna drilled into all her Pokémon as their physiology could be advantageous if used right, before he opened them the moment the Ice Beam ran its course.
The flying and dragon type had already prepared its Boomburst while blocking the Ice Beam so that the moment it got its wings under it again could it unleashed the normal type attack. As with before, the area affecting move boomed out over the battlefield, this time it dispelled the lingering mist from where the Icy Wind and Flamethrower attacks had canceled each other as well as destroying all of Glalie's shadow clones from Double Team that was in it while rocking Glalie as well despite the mist obscuring exactly where Glalie was. Such was the usefulness of a move like Boomburst.
Glalie let out a wail of pain from this as he was shaken from the second Boomburst to land before he fell back and to the ground. Two powerful Boombursts and a super effective Flamethrower were too much for him and he was out cold before he crashed to the ground where he lay there face up with swirls for eyes.
Ash grit his teeth but he'd been ready just in case. The whole battle had shown him that Drasna's rank was well earned as she had a deep understanding of Pokémon but so did Ash and he was already prepping his change as the ref raised a red flag to his side.
"Glalie is unable to battle." The ref declared as Glalie's image grayed on the jumbotron to confirm the ref's ruling. "Noivern is the winner."
"Glalie, return, you did well and set us up to win now." Ash said as he recalled his Pokémon and pulled out his next Poke Ball in a swift move so that he could throw it out with an order before Drasna had a chance to recall Noivern for a break. "Mimey, Ice Punch!"
"Mimey?" Drasna asked as Ash threw out the Poke Ball before it burst open and Ash's Mr. Mime burst out and began to run at Noivern as his image appeared on the jumbotron. "Oh, so it has a nickname, I only saw the replays of what it did not the order given. Very well, the Pokémon who revealed fairy types to the world, a fitting one for a dragon specialist to beat so I thank you for allowing me to face it. Noivern, that Pokémon likely has the Soundproof ability if I recall our studies of all newly confirmed fairy types so use Super Fang."
"Dodge and use another Ice Punch the moment that you can." Ash said unaware that Drasna was right which gave Mimey an extra advantage as a move like Boomburst wouldn't work on him, he was focused on the attack as the ice formed around Mimey's right fist as he closed in on Noivern who in turn dove at him. "We got this Mimey."
Of all the Pokémon that Ash had chosen for this challenge, Mimey was by far the least battle experienced and the least expected from everyone when Ash had announced that Mimey would be on the team to face Drasna. All the girls had questioned this but Brock had realized the reason for Ash's choice, Mimey was Ash's only fairy type and in a battle against a dragon specialist, especially one like Drasna who wasn't just the top of Kalos's Elite Four but many viewed as the second best dragon specialist in the world behind Lance, you needed at least one fairy type which was why Ash had chosen Mimey.
When you added in that Mimey was a lot stronger than he looked, had the Soundproof ability, and knew Ice Punch thanks to Ash and Buizel teaching him it for the big reveal during the Indigo Conference he actually made a lot of sense. Of course he still went through intensive training not just for general battle but also in the use of punch based attacks from Ash's fighting types so that he was ready for this match which he was and proceeded to show that as he and Noivern reached each other.
Before Noivern could open its mouth and grab Mimey with Super Fang, the move chosen as the opener in this to cut Mimey's health in half without risking a move that may not work like Boomburst, Mimey had leapt up with his fist low and launched an uppercut into Noivern's jaw. It was just as he'd done to that Hydreigon and like then it landed inflicting ultra effective damage due to Noivern's types.
However, unlike then when Mimey had the surprise on his side having leapt through a dragon type attack, and facing a more beat up Pokémon thanks to Buizel's efforts, this time he didn't as Noivern angled its wings to prevent it from flipping over as it took the ice type attack. Then, the moment that it could, it bend its head down and lunged at Mimey with jaws open and teeth glowing with normal type power.
Mimey had no way of avoiding it in the air as the jaws clamped down on his left shoulder and he let out a wail of pain from the first hit he'd taken in battle though admittedly the one battle he'd ever had had been a one punch victory. However, his fellow Pokémon had told him that this would happen and instructed him to trust Ash and his orders and push through which he did as he clenched his right fist again, ice encasing it, before he punched out and slammed it into Noivern's gut as he was still held in its jaws.
Noivern let out a gasp as the blow landed and opened its mouth reflexively, releasing Mimey in the process, before it was tossed back as Mimey pushed through the punch. That was it for Noivern, with its type combo three direct and one indirect ice type attacks were more than it could take and it was tossed back to land hard on its back, wings splayed, and slide over the battlefield for a few moments as Mimey fell to the ground to land on it hands raised in triumph. Mimey had good reason to do that as Noivern's eyes were swirls for all to see.
"Noivern is unable to battle." The ref declared raising a red flag to Drasna's side as Noivern's image went gray on the jumbotron and Mimey continued to show his celebration. "Mr. Mime is the winner."
"Noivern, return, you did well but that Mr. Mime is a famous dragon's bane for a reason so take a rest as we deal with it with the best Pokémon for it." Drasna said as she recalled Noivern and put away its Poke Ball before pulling out her next one and tossing it out faster than Ash could sub out as her words gave Ash a good sense of which Pokémon Drasna was about to use, which she proceeded to confirm. "Dragalge, go and use Sludge Bomb."
"Block that with Psychic." Ash said glad that Mimey's psychic type negated his new fairy type's weakness to poison type attacks, though it did remove his former resistance to the type in the process, while giving him an advantage in this as the poison and dragon type that Ash knew well thanks to Dawn having one burst form its Poke Ball to appear before Drasna. "Toss it to the side."
"The moment you can, use Thunderbolt." Drasna countered as Dragalge sent out the balls of sludge. "We won't let this Mr. Mime beat more than one of our team."
Mimey knew that he was no longer resistant to an attack like this, not that he wanted to be hit by it regardless, so he raised his hands and glowed blue before he caught the balls of sludge in his psychic hold causing them to glow blue as well before he tossed them to the side. As such the Sludge Bomb missed him as it splattered on the ground.
However, true to her orders, Dragalge was already ready with the electricity sparking in its open mouth as Mimey caught the Sludge Bomb. As such, the moment that it was away and thus giving Dragalge a clean shot at Mimey, it blasted out the Thunderbolt.
This was something that Mimey couldn't avoid the electric type attack, one he knew well thanks to it being Pikachu's favorite attack, and took it to the chest. He wailed in pain from it but Ash knew that his Pokémon could withstand it and called out his next order as the electricity coursed through Mr. Mime.
"Psychic." Ash said. "That's our best move right now."
"Interesting you're talented I'll give you that." Drasna said still smiling, she'd not stopped all match, as Mimey glowed blue while still coursing with electricity so that he was able to grab Dragalge in a psychic hold right as the Thunderbolt ended causing the Mock Kelp Pokémon to moan in pain from the super effective attack. "But we're ready as well, thanks to your example in fact. Use the hold you're in Dragalge to land a Sludge Bomb."
Dragalge grunted as it focused and blasted out the unsanitary sludge out of its mouth and right at Mimey as Mimey held it there. Back in Ash's battle with Siebold his Sceptile had used a ranged attack to overcome Siebold's Starmie's Psychic so this was what she was doing to Ash in return as the poison type attack slammed into Mimey's face while he held Dragalge there.
Had he not been a psychic type as well as a fairy type Mimey may have fainted at that but he just let out a groan of pain as he was hit and his Psychic ended. Due to his back to Ash, he didn't see the purple line appear under Mimey's eyes to show that he'd been poisoned but he already had his next move ready regardless and he knew that Mimey could land it.
"Ice Punch." Ash said. "Take it to Dragalge and make sure that we inflict as much damage on it as possible."
"Mr. Mime." Mimey said as he rushed forward knowing that he was nearing his limit so he had to do as much as possible before he hit that and found out what happened when he was knocked out for the first time.
"Send it back with Surf." Drasna said. "That Mr. Mime is all but done."
"Push through everything, I know you can do it." Ash said as Mimey was rocked by a bout of poisoning but he did as his trainer instructed and powered through, the love Ash had clear in his words and driving Mimey on to win this and show that he was more than just Delia's partner but also Ash's Pokémon as well. "We got this."
"Mr. Mime!" Mimey roared as he leapt up, right fist clenched and encased in ice, the moment that he'd closed enough of a distance with Dragalge to manage it.
Dragalge was surprised but this and before it could get its Surf off Mimey had cocked his fist back and slammed it into the side of Dragalge's face showing a level of competence that could only come from training with fighting types. The fully evolved Kalos Pokémon wailed from the super effective attack but it could take it and as Mimey fell down the water bubbled up from around it and hit Mimey's feet before he could land as the wave of Surf erupted.
The force of the Surf blasted Mimey up and in an arc across the battlefield to land on Ash's side of the battlefield in a heap. A moment later the wave crashed down on top of him before he could get up and bounced him off the ground. Mimey spun in the air, wet and in pain, to crash down to the ground closer to Ash but he still felt that he was in it as he came to a stop.
As such, and as Ash encouraged him, Mimey tried to get up but as he got to one knee a second round of poisoning rocked through him and he let out a long, almost theatric, wail before he toppled to the side and fell to the ground with a slightly wet thump before rolling onto his back. The Super Fang had cut his health in half which had been the critical hit on Mimey as the three standard attacks he'd taken since then along with two rounds of poisoning was too much for Mimey and for the first time he fainted, lying on his back arms spread and swirls for eyes.
"Mr. Mime is unable to battle." The ref declared raising a red flag to Ash's as Mimey's image went gray on the jumbotron. "Dragalge is the winner."
"Mimey return." Ash said recalling Mimey and looking at the Poke Ball with a smile not caring if Drasna changed Pokémon or not, she didn't though Ash would only learn why if he could defeat Dragalge. "You did well for your second battle, take a good long rest, you earned it. We know Dragalge well so we can beat it."
"You do, do you?" Drasna asked as Ash put away his Poke Ball and took out his third of the match. "It is a native to Kalos so I'm not surprised you've met one."
"Yeah my fiancée has one so I've trained against it just as I knew how to handle a Noivern thanks to having one myself." Ash said as he tossed out his third Pokémon of the match. "So now I'll beat another one, Dragonite I choose you. Use Dragon Rush."
"A dragon type, I was expecting one from you in this battle and her it is, fitting that it is a Kanto native Pokémon." Drasna said as the fully evolved, Kanto pseudo-legendary burst from his Poke Ball and his image appeared in Ash's third slot as Dragonite roared and flew at Dragalge while exhibiting overwhelming malice. "Well then, let's counter it with Dragon Pulse."
"Power through it and if Dragalge is still standing use Dragon Claw." Ash said as the shock wave that was Dragon Pulse was blasted from Dragalge's mouth. "It can't take two dragon type attacks, not after all that its already taken."
Dragonite just roared as he powered through the super effective attack as he tore at Dragalge, the ranged attack hitting him before he could reach his opponent, but he ignored the pain. He had an order and he was going to carry it out for Ash and the team.
It had been a while since Dragonite got this honor to fight alongside Ash and as he'd been part of the team that had lost Ash's first shot at a Conference title in the Indigo final he had to make up for that, especially in such a pivotal match in the region where Ash finally won a Conference. He couldn't let the team down now so a Dragon Pulse wasn't going to stop him from landing his Dragon Rush.
It didn't and he reached Dragalge just as the Kalos Pokémon closed its mouth and slammed into it and tackled Dragalge to the ground as was the nature of the attack. The moment that he did, Dragalge let out a wail of pain and shuddered in the tell tale sign of flinching but didn't faint showing that it was a resilient Pokémon.
That didn't matter to Dragonite as the flinch was just what he needed to finish this. As Dragalge shuddered, Dragonite raised his right arm, claws extending and glowing with dragon type power, before he slashed it down on the still downed Dragalge that he was currently sitting on thanks to the tackle aspect of Dragon Rush.
Before evolving in the Indigo final, Dragonite had loved using his speed and body to land a flipping Dragon Tail but with the drastic change in his physique that evolution had caused he couldn't do that as reliably anymore, at least not at the level that Charizard could due to his tail's size. As such, while training for this match he and Ash had come up with a new combo that worked better with his fully evolved body, the Dragon Rush into Dragon Claw combo.
It was even better if he could get the flinch that Dragon Rush could cause as that would ensure he'd land his Dragon Claw afterwards. He'd gotten this time around and that was all he needed as his Dragon Claw racked across Dragalge's face and neck.
The Mock Kelp Pokémon had no hope of surviving all that. It had already taken two super effective moves from Mimey, two more were too much for it and it fainted there, going limp under Dragonite. The moment that Dragonite felt that he leapt off Dragalge and flew back so that all could see Dragalge on its side with swirls for eyes.
"Dragalge is unable to battle." The ref declared raising the red flag to Drasna's side as Dragalge's image went gray on the screen bringing the match back to even though Dragonite had taken an attack already. "Dragonite is the winner."
"Dragalge, return, you did well and now we can really do some damage." Drasna said as she recalled and quickly put away Dragalge's Poke Ball before pulling out her third Poke Ball of the day and tossing it out with an attack, revealing the reason she didn't sub out Dragalge after it beat Mimey in the process though Ash wasn't going to sub out regardless as he was saving his remaining Pokémon for last. "Druddigon, Retaliate. Use it to land a Dragon Tail right afterwards."
"Counter with Dragon Claw." Ash said as the Poke Ball burst open and the blue Unovan dragon type with a red head and spikes and yellow underbelly that didn't have any known evolutions burst out with a roar. "We can do it, I know it."
However, before they could do anything, Druddigon landed on the ground and kicked off it with a lowered head and at Dragonite as its image appeared in Drasna's third hexagon. A second later it slammed its head into Dragonite's gut with more force than normal thanks to Dragalge being knocked out right before Retaliate was used and bending Dragonite over it as Dragonite forcefully exhaled air.
This move was the reason why Drasna had held off on recalling Dragalge after it had beaten Mimey because she was saving her Mega Pokémon for last so this way if Dragalge fainted she could use Retaliate, providing that Ash didn't use a ghost type, with the boost it gained for avenging a fallen ally. It also allowed for the combo and as Druddigon was pushing back with its head in Dragonite's gut, its tail glowed with dragon type power.
Using all that was going on, Druddigon flipped forward, dragging its head down Dragonite's belly in the process, and slammed its glowing tail into Dragonite's head imparting the super effective move. However, that was nowhere near enough to take down Dragonite and as he grunted with pain and was pushed back from the blow, the claws on both his hands grew and glowed with dragon type power and he slashed them down and into Druddigon's belly as it finished its flip but before it could get its feet under it.
The result was that as Druddigon pushed through the end of its attack and blasted Dragonite back a several feet it was blasted down, back first, into the ground with enough force to crack it ending the blistering opening exchange between the dragon types caused by the Retaliate. That wasn't the end though, it was just the beginning of the furious third matchup in the final battle of Ash's challenge.
"Dragon Rush." Ash said as Dragonite got his wings under him. "We got this."
"Intercept it with Dragon Tail." Drasna countered as Dragonite shot at Druddigon with extreme malice just as he'd done to Dragalge when he'd joined this battle. "As we trained, use your body to ensure it."
Druddigon grunted as it got to its feet knowing that it couldn't avoid the incoming attack so rather than do that it leapt up and took the tackle to the gut its arms around and under Dragonite, teeth clenched through the pain and tail glowing. There was a slight benefit to taking the contact hit and that was that Druddigon had the Rough Skin ability so it inflicting damage on Dragonite every time contact was made and that damage would really add up over time.
In addition, the flinch didn't trigger when Druddigon was hit so it was able to lash its tail up and into Dragonite's underbelly to inflict another super effective attack before the Pokémon crashed to the ground kicking up dust. Neither were out and their trainers knew it as they gave their next orders.
"Dragon Claw." Ash said as an idea struck him. "Use your body to pin it to the ground and then keep it up until its out cold! You can do it Dragonite!"
"Dragon Tail." Drasna said her estimations showing that Dragonite could only take one more dragon type attack her smile still on her face though she was getting frustrated that she would almost certainly end up losing three Pokémon to Ash in this battle even if she took out Dragonite. "We just need one more hit to defeat Dragonite."
Both Pokémon roared in the dust at the orders as Dragonite sat on Druddigon pinning it to the ground, claws raised and glowing with dragon type power as Druddigon's tail glowed as well. Before the Cave Pokémon could react, though, Dragonite brought its claws down on slashes not once but twice in quick succession, ignoring the pain the attacks caused Dragonite thanks to Druddigon's ability as he had a battle to win.
Dragonite knew that he was nearing the end of his rope, he'd taken a lot of damage between the hits and that damned ability of Druddigon, so he wasn't going to let Druddigon land another dragon type attack before he beat it. Dragonite was sure he couldn't take a fourth dragon type attack between everything else so he had to end this now.
He was right of course but he didn't realize it until it was too late as he brought his claws down for a third time, slashing Druddigon across the face and chest with the attack that was more than enough to end the other dragon type as it had now taken 5 of its own type attacks that it was weak to. However, as the Dragon Claw landed, and Dragonite took another bout of Rough Skin damage that had really piled up, Druddigon was able to finally lash his tail up and strike Dragonite in the back between his wings at the same time as it took its fourth Dragon Claw of the matchup.
The result was that as the Dragon Claw hit and knocked out Druddigon, the Dragon Tail hit and knocked out Dragonite at the same time. As such he pitched forward and landed on top of Druddigon's unconscious body due to sitting on it when he was knocked out.
Thanks to the dust cloud that had been kicked up by Dragonite tackling Druddigon to the ground with Dragon Rush no one could actually see more than the flashes of dragon type power as the Pokémon battled in it until the flashes suddenly stopped. It took a moment but finally the cloud cleared to reveal Dragonite lying on top of Druddigon who was lying on the ground, both unmoving. It was clear that they'd fainted at the same time as both Pokémon had swirls for eyes showing what the outcome of the intense clash had been.
"Both Pokémon have been knocked out." The ref declared not raising any flags and causing the images of Druddigon and Dragonite to simultaneously go gray on the jumbotron leaving just one blank spot each. "It's a tie."
"Folks this has really gotten intense." The announcer said to the roaring crowd able to be heard for the first time as finally a lull appeared in the intense final battle of Ash's challenge. "Ash's fourth and final battle in his challenge, a battle he needs to win to sweep the Kalos Elite Four and set up his battle with Diantha for her title, will come down to the wire as both trainers have one Pokémon left and those Pokémon have yet to be revealed. One this is sure though; both are going to be able to Mega Evolve because we've not seen that yet in this amazing battle."
"Druddigon return." Drasna said recalling her Pokémon and looking at the Poke Ball she held smiling at it. "That was well done, the Retaliate set everything up but Ash adapted as I should have expected. Take a break, our final Pokémon is up and she'll win this for sure, she's our ace after all."
"Dragonite, return." Ash said recalling his Pokémon also smiling at the Poke Ball in his hand. "You did great out there buddy, really held your own and won some important matches to ensure that we didn't fall behind in this battle. You've set it up so that we can win it with our final Pokémon. All this training has really paid off and we'll win now."
"You think so." Drasna said as she put away her Poke Ball and pulled out her fourth and final one. "Well I've save my best for last so let's see if you can beat her."
"Oh I can, I've been preparing for any eventuality against you and whichever Mega capable dragon type you might have." Ash said as he too put away his third Poke Ball and pulled out his final one as well. "So I can handle whatever you can throw at me."
"We shall see." Drasna said as she tossed out the Poke Ball. "Altaria, go."
"Gengar, I choose you." Ash said throwing out his own Poke Ball at the same time. "So, it's Altaria that has a Mega Stone. I didn't see the Mega capable one in the Lumiose Conference so it will be interesting to see and battle this one."
"Your Gengar is your Mega Pokémon in this battle, you're full of surprises I see as I didn't expect to meet someone with more than one Mega capable Pokémon and yet you have four with Mega Stones and whatever that Greninja of yours is." Drasna said as the Pokémon bust from their Poke Balls, the Hoenn dragon and flying almost floating in the air as she gently beat her wings and faced off against the Kanto ghost and poison type that landed before Ash with a closed mouth grin, their images appearing in the final hexagons on the jumbotron. "Interesting though I'm not seeing a Mega Stone."
"Neither am I." Ash noted as he didn't see on one Altaria as well. "But I know it has to have one just as you have a Key Stone somewhere so I'm not going to presume that you don't have a Mega Stone hidden somewhere on your Altaria."
"Not bad." Drasna said holding up her right arm to reveal her Key Stone was on the inside of her bracelet there hence why Ash hadn't seen it until now. "Her Mega Stone is in her plumage on her back. I presume your Gengar has one as well, likely on its back if I had to guess."
"Of course, show everyone what we got in Laverre, Gengar." Ash said and Gengar chuckled before he opened his mouth and stuck his tongue out. "Some girl there gave it to me saying that I was meant for it or something and now I see why, it's just what I need to beat you though it's not on his back as you can see."
Drasna did because on Gengar's tongue was a specially developed holder that didn't taste bad or cause him issues, it had actually been the hardest part of all this, with the glowing Mega Stone set in it. Ash had gotten it by chance during their off day in Laverre City after Ash's battle with Valerie had concluded their hectic time in the city and while Dawn was having tea with the gym leader and May and Serena were training.
It had happened when he'd been drawn to some strange house, been called to by the resident, and then had a really odd conversation with her that culminated in her checking his Pokedex, confirming he had a Gengar, and giving him the Gengarite as she'd deemed him worthy of it. Now he was ready to use it after having proven that it worked in training and thus living up to the gift he'd received.
"Well then, let's see if you can." Drasna said as she held out her right arm to Ash, turned her palm to the sky and brought her left hand down onto her Key Stone. "Let the power of dragons awaken, Altaria, Mega Evolve!"
"Gengar, for the first time in battle, break past your max and Mega Evolve!" Ash said touching his own Key Stone at the same time.
"Folks, this is really it, a Mega Evolution battle to conclude the challenge!" The announcer said excitedly as the Mega Energy shot from the Key Stones at the same time and connected with their respective Mega Stones before the Pokémon simultaneously began to glow and Mega Evolve in front of the cheering crowd. "Ash has shown us a different Mega Pokémon in each battle, another factor that will be noted in his impressive run, so we can't wait to see what Mega Gengar can do against Mega Altaria!"
The crowd roared in anticipation as the Pokémon began to change. As was often the case, Altaria grew as she Mega Evolved, adding a little over a foot to her size but the big change was in her plumage.
Rather than cover her chest and wings, it moved to her back while remaining on her wings just not as far out before it exploded outwards from her back covering it in what appeared to be a large cloud of fluffy looking feathers with more growing on her head to look almost like a hat as well as around her neck in a collar while her head tail things shrank and became on small one in front of her head plumage. Lastly her tail grew significantly longer though kept the same style it seemed.
By contrast, and unlike any other Mega Evolution that Ash had seen, Gengar shrunk when he changed. It happened as his body leaning forward as his arms and fingers elongated before entering the ground, as did is legs so that he appeared to be waist deep in the ground losing a few inches in height.
While this was happening, spikes shot up around his arms and tail just like the ones normally on his back, which themselves got longer, more numerous and more pronounced just as his ears did as they fell back. Lastly a strange oblong orb appeared in the center of his forehead to finish the Mega Evolution.
Both Mega Evolutions ended at the same time revealing that Mega Altaria's plumage was a little more off white than normal, though that might be due to the increased volume of it, while her body had turned a lighter blue. Mega Gengar on the other hand had changed more with the lower half of his arms, torso and tail turning an eerie red color while the top halves darkened in purple, which given that Ash's Gengar was an oddly light purple for his species though not a shiny variant made it closer to a normal Gengar's hue, while the orb was revealed to be yellow with a black dot in it.
Overall it couldn't have been two more contrasting Mega Evolutions as Mega Altaria now seemed almost purer and as she cawed there was a dreamy wonderment to her song while Mega Gengar now looked even more sinister than normal and the strange power he seemed to be filled with was palpable to Ash. It wasn't as bad as Mega Banette's change, that still unnerved Ash seeing the backlash it had caused Dawn, but it was still one that gave a few shudders especially next to the purity that seemed to be exuded from Mega Altaria.
Naturally neither trainer cared nor minded about the dichotomy in appearance. This was a battle and the whole thing came down to this Mega matchup so both acted right away as Ash and Drasna called out their first attacks at almost the exact same time.
"Sky Attack." Drasna said knowing that with Gengar's poison type one of her moves would be less effective than normal so going for an up close attack to set up her follow up to not miss was the best strategy, plus Sky Attack had a slight benefit to it that could be important if it triggered as it would add up over time. "Dodge whatever it throws at you as you find that weak point."
"Good luck." Ash said as he unveiled Mega Gengar's new move that had been taught, in addition to a move he already knew, to him in preparation to face a dragon specialist as on the face he appeared to not have an advantage in the type matchup of ghost and poison verses dragon and flying though no disadvantages either so it would all come down to moves and Ash intended to win there. "Show off what we learned just for Drasna and her Pokémon. Dazzling Gleam!"
"So you know that move, not bad but it's not enough to beat us." Drasna said as Mega Gengar glowed bright before unleashing the flash of light that was Dazzling Gleam while Mega Altaria searched for, and found, the weak point she was looking for. "We can take it."
Mega Altaria let out a caw of agreement as she closed her eyes and shot forward right as the Dazzling Gleam hit her. She could withstand the move even if it hurt her more than normal due to her dragon type and it would cover her as she flew through it at her opponent so Mega Gengar wasn't going to avoid this.
As such, when the light faded and she opened her eyes she was already on Mega Gengar and slammed her right wing into his face triggering a critical hit from the above average ratio that Sky Attack had. The blow was hard enough to move Mega Gengar back through the ground a few feet though it kept Mega Altaria close which was just what they needed.
That was because Ash was more than ready for this and they had a combo prepared if they were dealing with a dragon and flying type that got in close for a hit that would repel it and do some serious damage in the process. At least that was the plan, the results, while working, would, in classic Ash fashion, change the understanding of one of the Pokémon battling forever.
"Ice Punch." Ash called out. "Into Venoshock!"
"Block it with your plumage." Drasna said. "Ice is our bane Altaria."
Mega Altaria let out a caw of agreement, though part of her felt that she was no longer as weak to ice as she should be when she was Mega Evolved, as Mega Gengar seemed to leap out of the ground the long fingers on his right hand encasing in ice as he brough his arm back and then struck out at Mega Altaria. She got her plumage from her wings up and over her body to take the blow in them and mitigate the damage a decent bit, though she still took some from the super effective attack, as Mega Gengar punched her.
It was still a strong blow though and she was forced back by it and through the air. As she went backwards, Mega Gengar opened his mouth and spewed out a special poisonous liquid in an arc over the battlefield as he fell back and landed on the ground again which he once more sank into like before the moment he hit it. Mega Altaria may have blocked the Ice Punch but she couldn't block this as she was drenched in the poison type attack and that was when everything changed.
Rather than let out a grunt or moderate cry of pain as would be associated with a poison type attack landing on a dragon and flying type, especially because she'd not been poisoned so the additional damage that Venoshock could have done was avoided, she let out a full on wail of pain. The moment she did everything changed.
It was obvious to all that the wail was one that would only occur if the move that hit her had either been super effective or if she'd already been poisoned thus increasing the power of Venoshock. It was obviously not the latter so it had to be the former and that stunned the crowd to silence as both Ash and Drasna went wide eyed, Drasna's smile falling for the first time all battle which for her was practically unheard of as she never stopped smiling no matter how frustrated or irritated she was in a battle. This was clearly a different situation though.
"No way." Ash said as he processed what had happened deducing the only thing that it could be given the factors before him. "It can't be. I didn't think that type combination existed. Of all the changes it's one of the few that have never been recorded since the emergence started and given what the new type does it's the one that was always asked about."
As Ash was talking, Mega Gengar just chuckled at his success as he'd not expected that to work as well as it had. Meanwhile, Mega Altaria shook the remaining liquid from her thanking Arceus that Venoshock didn't have a poisoning chance as well as being doubled if poisoned.
More importantly though was that she now knew for certain that what she'd felt every time she'd Mega Evolved until now was true, she'd just not been able to confirm it as she'd never taken a steel, poison, or dragon attack since she first felt the change had taken place. Her secondary type changed upon Mega Evolving from flying to that new, anti-dragon, fairy type making her unique in that regard.
"It must be confirmed with a second Mega Altaria and via the immunity to dragon type attacks but I assure you this is a change triggered by Mega Evolution, she is still part flying type when normal." Drasna said as she too recovered her smile returning though now it was strained. "But mine is one of only three known to be able to. That kid in the Lumiose Conference, Titus and Wallace's niece Lisia who he told me about when he was hosting his cup here. It is not common to see one in battle as I am seldom forced to use it and the other two either don't battle or never had the right matchup to show it. This is certainly unexpected."
"My friend Iris has an Altaria I think though I don't know if it can Mega Evolve yet." Ash said. "She wants to be able to do that though but she may freak out a bit now that the change has happened to make certain Pokémon immune to dragon type attacks. She's terrified of fairy types."
"Iris, she's that aspiring dragon trainer from Unova if I recall, Drayden's protégé as he said something about expecting her to replace him as the Opelucid Gym Leader one day." Drasna said, she was well informed of the other dragon specialists out there and had even met Iris on request when the girl was visiting Kalos several months back to discuss things with her about their type specialty though that had been after Ash had run into her. "She does have an Altaria but when I met her she didn't have the Key and Mega Stones for it. I heard that she just lost in the first Alola League Conference final. A shame as she is quite talented according to Drayden."
"I wasn't aware of that but Iris is a friend from my time in Unova, she traveled with me when I challenged that region and I owe her a lot as she helped me see something important." Ash said. "But she is a little scared of ice types and fairy types are something else for her."
"Ah then she must not like the Alolan variant of Ninetales, not that I blame her as that is the most anti-dragon Pokémon out there." Drasna said. "But I feel like we've been sidetracked by this unexpected development. You may seem to have three moves that work against my Altaria but it won't be enough Ash. I will still win despite this revelation."
"I don't care that Altaria has changed its secondary type from flying to fairy, I was going to win either way and I know not to expect to win just because I have the type advantage when it comes to moves." Ash said. "Now, Dazzling Gleam again."
"Heat Wave." Drasna said as for the first time all battle a slightly nagging feeling of doubt crept in as between the revelation of Mega Altaria's secondary type change, something that no one saw coming, and what Mega Gengar knew had put her at a significant disadvantage but she powered on through it. "We aren't out of this just yet."
As Drasna had given her order, Mega Gengar had begun to glow and unleash the bright light that was Dazzling Gleam. Even with a third super effective attack, Mega Altaria was still in the fight as she could take a good amount of damage and as such she opened her mouth and exhaled a hot breath that covered the distance between her and Mega Gengar as the light of Dazzling Gleam hit her.
The result was that Mega Gengar took the attack as well though he wasn't burned by it thankfully and as he was neither weak nor resistant to fire type attacks he could manage just fine. In terms of types he now was in the better position and knew it, all he had to do was land his hits while withstanding what was sent his way and he'd win not just this match but the battle as well and given the importance of it that would really boost his cred and show that he was worthy of his Mega Stone and placement in this team. He wasn't going to lose this battle.
Drasna and Mega Altaria would beg to differ of course and as the light faded she had her plan in place. Regardless she could take another Dazzling Gleam and probably another super effective attack as well but she would likely have to take a Dazzling Gleam. It was necessary though as it would allow her to land the next attack that while not super effective wasn't resisted either and was strong enough to cause serious problems for Mega Gengar. This would be tough but Drasna had achieved her reputation in Kalos for nothing.
"Sky Attack." Drasna said. "Dodge or endure whatever Mega Gengar throws at you."
"Venoshock." Ash said an idea forming in his mind to end this. "And then wait my order."
Mega Gengar just chuckled in agreement at that as he opened his mouth and spewed forth the special liquid again as Mega Altaria looked for a weak point on him while preparing her Sky Attack. This time Mega Altaria had the space to dodge it, which she did as she flew up high and above the arc of poison that was now super effective against her as she found the point she needed. The moment she did she dove at Mega Gengar as hard and fast as she could.
Her speed, already high from all her training, was boosted by Mega Evolution so she was able to reach Mega Gengar before Ash could get a word out, striking him on the head with her right wing and triggering a critical hit in the process which coupled with the first Sky Attack that was also a critical hit and the Heat Wave was starting to really add up on Mega Gengar. However, Ash had been ready for it even with the speed and had been about to give the order regardless so he got it out right after Mega Altaria landed her hit but as her wing was still on Mega Gengar.
"Ice Punch!" Ash yelled. "Into Dazzling Gleam. We've got this Gengar, I know it!"
"Block and use Heat Wave." Drasna countered as Mega Gengar laughed and leapt up out of the ground with Mega Altaria's wing still on him so it pushed it to the side in the process.
Alas for Mega Altaria, that action of Mega Gengar ensured that she didn't have the time to do it before Mega Gengar was on her, right arm cocked back and hand encased in ice, before it shot at her as she tried to get her wings up to block it. She was too late and Mega Gengar's fist slammed squarely into her face and blasted her back with a wail of pain from the super effective ice type attack.
That alone might not have been enough to beat her but as Mega Gengar fell back to the ground, laughing the entire time, he glowed brightly with the fairy type attack that he blasted out as he landed in the ground like before. Mega Altaria didn't have a chance before the hit, the 5th super effective attack she'd taken without mitigating in anyway so 6th in total, in this matchup, slammed into her and pushed her to and then just past her limit as she flew back through the air from the Ice Punch.
Mega Altaria fainted before the light faded and hit the ground with a dull thud on Drasna's side of the battlefield where she rolled several feet before coming to a though no one saw that. What they did see, however, was the aftermath as the light faded and the crowd stared in shock as they took in Mega Gengar was sunk into the ground like he'd been for most to the time that he'd been Mega Evolved laughing his victory as Mega Altaria lay on her side, wings limp and swirls for eyes a few feet in front of her trainer.
"Mega Altaria is unable to battle." The ref declared raising a red flag to Drasna's side as the Mega Evolution fell to reveal Altaria as she normally was just out cold and her image turned gray on the jumbotron leaving only Gengar's still lit which snapped the crowd out of their shock and they exploded at the result in time with the ref raising his green flag to Ash's side. "Mega Gengar is the winner. Drasna of the Elite Four is out of Pokémon, that means that the winner of this match is the challenger, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."
"He's done it!" The announce exclaimed speaking loudly to be heard over the roaring crowd that was now going wild. "The unthinkable has happened! Ash Ketchum, this year's Lumiose Conference winner has vanquished all four members of the Kalos Elite Four in the challenge he earned, a feat never before seen in Kalos! As such he's earned the right to face Diantha in a full battle to try and claim her title of Kalos Champion from her."
The announcer paused at this as the crowd reached a crescendo in its cheering at what they'd just seen, the whole thing building with each victory of Ash's until this very moment when he defeated Drasna to complete the sweep. Only when it started to die down did the announcer resume his commentary.
"There will now be two days off before the full battle between Ash and Diantha occurs but for now we are all still reeling from what we've seen." The announcer said his voice starting to stain. "However, I for one can't wait for that full battle so stay tuned as it's coming folks. One more time, the winner of all four of his battles against the Kalos Elite Four, the challenger Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"
"Altaria return." Drasna said her smile back to how it had been before the match had begun as she recalled her final Pokémon and looked at the Poke Ball while the crowd roared around her and the commentator spoke of the upcoming full battle Ash was going to have against Diantha. "You did your best but that revelation, coupled with the moves that Gengar knew, was too much for us in the end. The best trainers out there, the ones who can do what Ash just did, make their own luck and he certainly did that today. He deserves the praise he's earned for what he's accomplished. Take a rest, we'll all watch his coming full battle with Diantha together soon."
"We did it Gengar!" Ash said a moment later as it all hit him and he rushed out to his Pokémon as Gengar's Mega evolution fell and he turned to embrace his trainer smiling broadly at the win he'd just had and what it would mean for the team. "Four up, four down, we beat them all and achieved the first of the goals we had to beat them all and face Diantha. Now all that remains is to beat her as well and we've done it."
Gengar just chuckled at that. He wasn't sure if he'd be in that team, Ash hadn't announced it yet though most of them knew who at least three of not four of the team would be, he just hoped that his contribution today helped even if he likely couldn't Mega Evolve in that final battle. Regardless, he'd shown his mettle and prestige in Ash's team and embraced his trainer in return thinking of how far he'd come since Ash had saved him in Lavender Town.
"That is easier said than done." Drasna said interrupting them having walked out during Ash's praising and embracing of Gengar and getting his attention as she stood before him with a warm smile on her face just like she'd had when she'd walked out at the start of the match. "But if anyone could do it then it would be you."
"I indent to." Ash said. "I've come this far; I won't let it end at the last hurdle."
"I like that commitment." Drasna said. "And I commend you from the bottom of my heart for all you've accomplished so far. Defeating just one of us is a tall task, two is nearly impossible, three practically unheard of, but to defeat us all in the challenge, that's unprecedented. You earned your wins and deserve the praise that will be coming your way, Ash. I wish you the best of luck against Diantha and look forward to watching that match in a few days because it's going to be good."
"Thank you." Ash said, turning to Drasna as she spoke to him and recalling Gengar in the process, they'd all properly celebrate later when the rest of the team was fully healed up. "I've learned a lot from these matches, they've pushed me beyond any I've had before and set me up to face a Champion in a full battle for the first time. I have a specific rematch that I wish to have with Diantha but more I want to face her full strength with my own."
"And you will." Drasna said as she held her hand out to Ash which he took and they shook on the battlefield as was right after such a battle. "It will be a battle that will be spoken of for generations to come, I am sure of it. The fact that it is occurring to begin with alone ensures it but having faced you myself I know that it will not disappoint. Diantha is not a type specialist so this will certainly be something to see as her best 6 face your best 6."
"It won't, I promise." Ash said as they ended their shake. "I won't let it end until its properly over."
Drasna just smiled at that before she turned and walked off the battlefield without another word as the crowd began to disperse. She'd tried but even she couldn't handle Ash in the end. Four epic wins and one battle left for him.
In Kalos, no one had ever managed to face the Champion at the end of his or her challenge before but Ash had done just that. It would be good and Drasna couldn't wait to see how it played out as she walked off to meet up with Malva, Siebold and Wikstrom as they had a tournament draw to sort out for after Ash and Diantha faced off in three days' time. She expected that regardless of the outcome, one of them would have to step down from the Elite Four in the wake of this challenge.
Ash just watched Drasna leave thinking on her words and everything he'd done to get this far in his challenge. He'd done it and now all he had left to face to complete his goal in Kalos, a goal that had become one when he won the Lumiose Conference, was Diantha. He needed his best team possible and all the experience he'd had in 9 years as a trainer if he wanted to win it. That meant getting back, getting the team to face Diantha together, and preparing for it. There would be celebrations of course but the focus was Diantha.
With that Ash turned and walked off the battlefield himself to meet up with Dawn and the others and prepare because in 3 days' time he had the biggest and toughest match of his life as he faced off in a legitimate, full battle with a regional Champion with the chance to take her title from her if he won. His next and final opponent, the Champion of Kalos, Diantha awaited him.
"Even without that change that still needs to be confirmed favoring him, Ash would have won that final matchup." Diantha noted from her private box as she watched Ash leave the battlefield only Gardevoir by her side as she leant forward in her seat smiling at what she'd just seen bellow her and not just today's battle but all 4 of the challenge. "That Venoshock only landed once and he had other factors, including a double type advantage with that Ice Punch if Mega Altaria retained its flying type, so it was his to lose in the end, they all were. I knew he'd manage it and now, at last, we can have a proper and full rematch."
"Gardevoir." Gardevoir said from next to her thinking on the matchup that she in particular wanted and Diantha smiled as she looked over to her best friend and constant companion. "Gardevoir."
"That's right, you and his Greninja will get to finish that battle at long last." Diantha said with a smile. "We both want this and there's no way that Ash doesn't use him in the battle. We've seen many strong Pokémon of Ash's not just over the last four days but in the Lumiose Conference as well, haven't we?"
"Gardevoir." Gardevoir said with a nod. "Gardevoir."
"And yet I do not doubt that Greninja is the only Pokémon that Ash hasn't yet used that he was saving for me should he beat the Elite Four." Diantha said as she stood up. "Come on Gardevoir, we need to be ready because this battle will be the toughest of our lives, I just know it. If there is anyone who can beat me and claim my title right now, it is Ash Ketchum. However, if he wants it he's going to have to earn it and we won't make that easy."
"Gardevoir." Gardevoir said her tone full of agreement. "Gardevoir."
With that Diantha turned and walked out of her box, her Pokémon falling into step next to her as they walked out. It had been an intense 4 days, easily the most memorable Elite Four challenge in recent history, but the end result that Diantha had wanted had come to pass and soon she would face Ash in a full battle with her title on the line. She couldn't wait as she left to get ready for a battle that would rock not just all of Kalos but the whole world when it commenced in three days' time.
Well, Ash did it, he won all 4 battles and has now moved into the history books regardless of what happens when he faces Diantha in a full battle in a few days' time and yes the 6 Pokémon Diantha will use will be the 6 she's shown to have in canon from journeys with priority given to the moves they've shown there while anything else is rounded out from game data (so Tyrantrum will have the anime move it had that it doesn't have in X and Y). Before that happens though he needs a break so there will be a short recovery chapter to prepare and hype up that battle. For those wondering about Gengar's Mega Stone, it was implied to exist in the 6th Supplement to Winning and seen but not confirmed in the 17th as a massive cliffhanger. Some rightfully guessed that there would be importance to it, though no one realized what it was or that I used the game canon location for Gengarite, and here it is being debuted thus answering the sole remaining cliffhanger from Winning and its Supplement. Also, as there is often confusion, I will address a few things about the final matchup that may confuse people so to clear things up her they are. First, I have consistently in the past and as recently as Part CXCIII stated that in the emergence of fairy types it has yet to be discovered that a dragon type gained or changed a secondary type to it because I was setting it all up for the discovery of the change to Mega Altaria in this battle so hopefully that clears any confusion some of you might have had. The other two things are about the battle itself, mainly that this isn't the same as the battle in Journeys so that is why it's different, as with other battles that are either against later canon opponents in the timeline or are against Pokémon Ash has faced and beaten differently in canon matchups like Aegislash, I wanted this to be unique and original in how Ash handled and won it while keeping battle styles and traits the same like Drasna's use of physical attributes in her Pokémon. The other thing about the battle to clear up and avoid any confusion is that I know that in the canon that Altaria know Breaking Swipe but I chose not to add it for two reasons, the first being that Breaking Swipe is a gen VIII move and under my rules in this story (baring one specific exception for unique moves of Pokémon introduced in a later generation debuting before then) it cannot debut until I hit gen VIII in the timeline, which will occur after chapter 10 so we are still in gen VII for the next two chapters. The second is my established rule of only 4 moves per Pokémon due to the anime canon inconsistency on that front causing me to default to game canon in the absence of clear anime canon. I hope this clears up any confusion some of you may have had about this or previous Parts. Lastly to note is that as the final matchup revealed, Iris has lost the inaugural Manalo Conference final though to who won't be revealed just yet. This does mean that she will not be a regional champion in this story, Alder will remain as the Unova Champion, while what Iris is up to will be revealed in time. Anyway, that is all that I have for this Part, so I will leave it off here. As always if you like my work then please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), if possible leave a review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.
Stringdog