Chapter 74: Itching for a Rematch
Ash and Nikki, still on their way towards the Valley of the Iron Fist, were just enjoying each others' company. However, Nikki could tell something was eating at the Pallet Town trainer and she was determined to find out what it was.
"Penny for your thoughts," Nikki said.
"Huh?" Ash replied.
"It looks like you have something on your mind. Anything I can help with?" Nikki offered. Ash let out a sigh before speaking.
"Well, you're right about something being on my mind but I doubt if you could help with it," he said.
"What is it?" Nikki asked.
"This may sound weird but I don't fell as if I'm being challenged enough," Ash admitted.
"What do you mean? You've been battleing with your Pokémon everyday getting them ready for the next challenge, not to mention all our encounters with Team Rocket," Nikki pointed out.
"I wouldn't really count sparring matches as real battles, and I could take Team Rocket in my sleep at this point," Ash replied. "What I need is a real challenge that'll push us to our limits."
"Maybe you'll find someone soon," Nikki said.
"Maybe," Ash agreed. The two of them kept walking, occasionally engaging in small talk, until they came across a small town. Naturally the first place they headed was the Pokémon Center to get their Pokémon checked up. As they waited more trainers began pouring in.
"Getting a little crowded, isn't it," Nikki commented.
"Sure is," Ash agreed. As they looked around one group of trainers caught Ash's eye.
"Is that who I think it is?" he wondered.
"Huh? You say something?" Nikki asked.
"Do those trainers over there look familiar?" Ash asked her. Nikki followed his gaze and saw the trainers he was talking about. As soon as she saw them she had the same feeling her did.
"Yeah, they do," she said. Before they could don anything the trainers approached them.
"Ash, Nikki. It's been a while," one of them said. As soon as he heard the voice and saw the spiky blonde hair Ash knew who it was.
"Itchy! It has been a while," he said, greeting his first ever rival in the Legenda region. "How have you been?"
"I've been well. Just looking forward to the next challenge," Itchy replied. "How about you? What brings you this way?"
"I'm on my way to challenge the Area Boss for my second Crest," Ash told him.
"Second Area Boss already? Man, you're making good progress," Itchy commented. While they spoke Dani and Nikki were having their own conversation.
"How many ribbons have you won so far?" Dani asked.
"Two so far," Nikki answered. "Ash has been a real help with my routines when he's not training for his Gym battles."
"It's great that you have each other," Dani commented. "Still no progress on the boyfriend front?"
"We're still just friends, nothing more," Nikki stated.
"Okay, if you say so," Dani said. As they talked Nurse Joy returned with Ash and Nikki's Pokémon, reporting that they were all in good health.
"So, I guess you two will be heading out now," Itchy assumed.
"Actually, there's something I could use your help with," Ash said.
"Sure. What is it?" Itchy inquired.
"I need a challenge to see how my Pokémon and I have improved during our journey. I remember you handing me my first loss here in Legenda, and I think you'd be the perfect opponent for my Pokémon and I to test ourselves against," Ash explained. Itchy smiled once he realized what Ash wanted.
"If it's a battle you're looking for then I can give you one you won't soon forget," he said.
"Great! Let me just get the Pokémon I want to challenge you with," Ash said. He hurried to the videophones and made a call to Professor Oak's lab. After swapping some of his Pokémon he was ready to battle Itchy. After Nurse Joy gave them permission to use the battlefield behind the Center the five of them headed outside for their battle.
Ash and Itchy had taken their places on each side of the battlefield. Nikki and Dani had taken places on the sidelines while Scratchy would act as the referee just as he did the previous time.
"So, what are the rules?" Ash inquired.
"How about three battles, best two-out-of-three," Itchy suggested.
"That sounds good to me," Ash said. With the ground rules set the two of them got ready to send out their first Pokémon.
"Go, Inari!" Itchy shouted, sending out a male Ninetails.
"A Ninetails, huh," Ash commented. "Well, in that case… go, Tyranitar!" He sent out his Armor Pokémon. As soon as she was on the battlefield she locked eyes with Itchy's Ninetails, the two of them ready to get this battle underway.
"They look ready to go," Nikki commented.
"Yeah, they do," Dani agreed. "I just hope Ash doesn't think he'll have an easy time just because he has the type advantage."
"Trust me, he wouldn't think that," Nikki said.
"Okay! Battle… begin!" Scratchy shouted.
"Alright, Tyranitar! Start off with Crunch!" Ash called. Tyranitar charged forward, her mouth opened wide as she prepared to bite down on Itchy's Ninetails.
"Dodge and use Iron Tail!" Itchy shouted. His Ninetails jumped back to avoid Tyranitar's Crunch attack. He then swung his tails forward and struck her on the end of her nose, causing her to recoil back and hold her face. Itchy then looked up at the sky, noticing that the sun was shining brightly without a single cloud in the sky.
"Perfect," he said with a smirk. "Inari, use Solarbeam!"
"Look out, Tyranitar!" Ash warned. The Armor Pokémon recovered and looked up just in time to receive a full-on Solarbeam to the face. The attack left her reeling, but she stood strong and powered through. Ash let out a sigh of relief seeing his Pokémon still able to battle.
"Going to have to watch out for that," Ash said. "Now how was his Ninetails able to fire that Solarbeam so quickly?" Itchy could tell Ash was confused, so he decided to clarify things for him.
"If you're wondering how Inari was able to fire off that Solarbeam as fast as he did just look up at the sky," he said. Ash did as he suggested and looked up.
"It's the sunlight. Strong sunlight means it takes him less time to charge his Solarbeam than normal," Itchy explained.
"I see," Ash commented.
"Now, Inari, use another Solarbeam!" Itchy called.
"Quick! Before he can use your Sand Stream ability!" Ash instructed. Before Itchy's Ninetails could fire off another Solarbeam Tyranitar let out a loud bellow. Then, sand began furiously pouring from the openings on her body, blanketing the area in sand. The swirling sand blocked out the sun, meaning Inari could no longer take advantage of his fast-firing Solarbeam.
"Darn it. I shouldn't have told him," Itchy said.
"Now, Tyranitar, use Stone Edge!" Ash shouted. Tyranitar bellowed again, this time conjuring a handful of sharp stones. She then hurled them towards Inari, hoping to catch the Ninetails off guard.
"Block that with your Iron Tail!" Itchy said. Before the stones could strike Inari curled his tails around himself and powered them up in and Iron Tail, creating a makeshift shield. Tyranitar's Stone Edge shattered against the Iron Tail, protecting Inari from the attack.
"Now use Crunch!" Ash instructed. Tyranitar charged forward and bit down on Inari's tails, eliciting a grunt from the Fox Pokémon.
"Break free!" Itchy shouted. Thankfully for Inari he still had his Iron Tail charged up. He used this ti his advantage and began striking Tyranitar in the head, trying to force her to let go. After a few well placed strikes Tyranitar released her hold and stumbled backwards. At that moment the sandstorm Tyranitar created earlier died out, letting the sun shine brightly through.
"Great! Use Solarbeam!" Itchy called. Before Tyranitar could block out the sun again Inari fired off a Solarbeam, striking the Armor Pokémon in the midsection, causing her to double over.
"Finish this with Iron Tail!" Itchy said. Inari swung his tails and struck Tyranitar in the side of the head, knocking her out on impact.
"Tyranitar's out! Inari wins!" Scratchy announced. Ash and Itchy recalled their Pokémon, thanking them for their efforts.
"Well, Ash, looks like I'm ahead here," Itchy commented.
"For now, but I don't plan on letting things stay that way," Ash assured him.
"We'll see," Itchy replied. "Now go, Otohime!" He sent out his Dragonair and awaited Ash's Pokémon.
"I've got just the Pokémon for her," Ash said. "Charizard, I choose you!" The Flame Pokémon appeared and let out a fearsome roar, complete with a stream of fire. Itchy seemed a bit nervous once he saw Ash's choice in Pokémon.
"I wasn't expecting you to have a Charizard," he commented. "This could get a bit tricky."
"Okay, Charizard, let's start off with Flamethrower!" Ash instructed. Another roar later and Charizard spewed forth a massive Flamethrower right at the Dragon Pokémon.
"Quick! Guard yourself with Protect!" Itchy shouted. His Dragonair quickly erected a Protect barrier, effectively blocking Charizard's Flamethrower.
"Whew, that was close," Itchy sighed.
"Don't let that stop you, Charizard! Go for a Steel Wing!" Ash said. Not deterred by his failed attack Charizard flew towards Otohime, his wings giving off a silvery glow as he prepared to strike with his Steel Wing.
"Use Twister!" Itchy called. Hoping to stop Charizard in his tracks Otohime conjured up a large Twister right in the Flame Pokémon's path. However, Charizard just used one of his Steel-charged wings to cut through the Dragon type attack and continued on his path.
"Didn't see that coming!" Itchy gasped as Charizard slammed one of his Steel-charged wings into his Dragonair, knocking her backwards.
"That's the way, Charizard!" Ash praised.
"Otohime, strike back with Aqua Tail!" Itchy shouted. His Dragonair quickly recovered and swung her tail at Charizard. As she did water began swirling around it. She slapped the Flame Pokémon across the face with the supper-effective attack, causing him to back up a bit.
"Now hit him with Dragon Rush!" Itchy said. While Charizard was still reeling Otohime charge forward, her body glowing with Dragon-type energy.
"Dodge that!" Ash shouted. Charizard looked up just in time to see the incoming attack and take to the skies to avoid it.
"Now use Seismic Toss!" Ash instructed. Charizard, still in mid flight, swooped down and grabbed Otohime. He then flew up into the air with her, rotating as he did so.
"Otohime, use Twister to break free!" Itchy called. She knew it would damage her a bit but she used Twister anyway, engulfing both her and Charizard in the Dragon type attack.
"You know what to do!" Ash shouted. Charizard smirked as he began spinning around in time with the Twister, reducing the attack's effectiveness. He then dove down towards the ground. Right before hitting the ground he slung Otohime down, slamming her into the ground hard.
"Okay, Charizard, finish things off with Flamethrower!" Ash called. With Otohime dazed from the Seismic Toss she was in no condition to avoid Charizard's Flamethrower. The Flame Pokémon engulfed her with his strongest Flamethower. Once his attack was done Otohime was left unable to battle.
"Otohime's out! Charizard wins!" Scratchy begrudgingly announced. Itchy recalled his defeated Pokémon, thanking her for her efforts. He then looked at Ash as he praised Charizard for a battle well-fought.
"I had a feeling your Charizard was strong, but I didn't think he'd be that strong," Itchy commented.
"He's one of my strongest," Ash told him as he recalled the Flame Pokémon. "Looks like this is coming down to our final Pokémon."
"It sure is," Itchy agreed. "Guess I'd better go with my best. Go, Amaretsu!" He sent out his Typhlosion, the Fire type eager to battle. Ash was about to send out his last Pokémon when Pikachu jumped onto the battlefield.
"Pikachu?" Ash questioned.
"(I want to battle,)" Pikachu said. Ash just smiled and nodded.
"Okay, Pikachu. You're up," he announced.
"Okay. Battle… begin!" Scratchy shouted.
"Start off with Flamethrower!" Itchy called.
"Counter with Thunderbolt!" Ash said. The two Pokémon launched their attacks, the two blasts meeting in the middle. The battle for dominance ended in an explosion, blanketing the area in smoke and dust. This gave Ash an idea.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" he called. Using the blanket of smoke and dust as cover Pikachu darted forward with his Quick Attack, striking Itchy's Typhlosion in the gut.
"Now use Iron Tail!" Ash instructed.
"Amaretsu, use Rock Smash!" Itchy countered. Pikachu swung with a Steel-charged tail while Amaretsu swung with his Rock Smash, the two attacks bouncing off each other.
"Use Flame Wheel!" Itchy shouted.
"Counter with Volt Tackle!" Ash called. Itchy's Typhlosion curled into a ball and engulfed himself in flames while Pikachu charged forward, his body crackling with electricity. The two attacks slammed into each other, once again creating an explosion that covered the area in smoke and dust. Unfortunately for Pikachu, because of Volt Tackle's recoil effect he took a bit of damage from the exchange.
"Sunny Day!" Itchy shouted. To counter the blanket of smoke and dust Amaretsu used his Sunny Day, flooding the area with sunlight.
"Now use Flamethrower!" Itchy said.
"Block with Thunderbolt!" Ash countered. He had hoped for the same result as earlier, but because of Sunny Day Amaretsu's Flamethrower was much stronger, meaning it easily overpowered Pikachu's Thunderbolt. The Mouse Pokémon was engulfed in the powerful Fire type attack, leaving him in bad shape afterwards.
"Now finish with Solarbeam!" Itchy called. His Typhlosion quickly fired off his Grass type attack, striking Pikachu dead-on. The attack knocked the Mouse Pokémon back at Ash's feet, knocked out.
"Pikachu's out! Amaretsu wins! My bro Itchy wins the battle!" Scratchy announced.
"Oh man. I was hoping Ash could pull that off," Nikki said. Itchy recalled his Pokémon after thanking him for his efforts while Ash cradled his defeated Pikachu.
"(S-Sorry… Ash,)" Pikachu apologized.
"Don't apologize, buddy. You did great out there," Ash told him. He then looked up as Itchy approached him.
"That was a fun battle," he said, extending his hand.
"It was, wasn't it," Ash agreed as he accepted the handshake. "But now I think our Pokémon need Nurse Joy's care." Itchy agreed as all of them headed back inside the Pokémon Center.
Once Nurse Joy had healed their Pokémon the five of them gathered in front of the Pokémon Center, looking to continue their respective journeys.
"Your Pokémon are definitely getting stronger," Itchy said. "That battle showed me that."
"That may be true, but I'm still not strong enough to beat you," Ash replied. "But I plan on changing that the next time we meet."
"I look forward to it," Itchy said.
"Nikki, good luck in your future Contests," Dani said.
"Thanks, Dani," Nikki replied. With that the two groups finished saying goodbye before going their separate ways.
Despite getting stronger Ash's second battle against Itchy once again resulted in defeat. With his rival growing in strength each day how much stronger will Ash need to become in order to defeat him? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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