Chapter 36: Facing A Champion
Alright, we're on the home stretch! One of my fanfictions has been completed recently, so now its time to finish this one off as well. We will be having not one but three updates in the space of this week. I unfortunately won't be releasing these chapters on Sunday anymore after this one as I've decided to now make the weekends my time to focus on my original fantasy stories. So now the chapters will come out on Wednesday and Friday most likely. Just four more chapters left, and it will only take two more weeks now.
Right after his battle with Morrison, Ash headed to the call center and phoned Professor Oak.
"Well, Ash my boy! I've been watching your battles! I'm proud you managed to make it all the way to an actual championship battle!"
"Thanks Professor!" Ash replied.
"But why are you calling?" the professor asked.
"I need to switch Pokémon," Ash told him.
"Really! You've usually just stuck with the Pokémon you caught in the region you are currently exploring!"
"Yeah, but after the last league in Alola I learned that that was probably a bad call. I have a lot of Pokémon back home with you that could have really helped me. So I guess I need to swallow my pride. I did use the transfer system back when I was in Johto as well and went through the Battle Frontier. My Hoenn Pokémon have worked hard and I'm proud of them for getting me this far. But now that I'm going up against Steven, I'll need every advantage."
Oak smiled. "Well, seems you've matured! So, Steven Stone hey? If I recall correctly uses primarily Steel types."
"Yeah." Ash nodded.
"From what I've heard he has a team he always sticks with!" Drew said from behind Ash with the others. "You should check the records before you make your decision."
"Allow me!" Serena said pulling out her cell phone and pressing a number of buttons.
After a few seconds. She told them what she'd found.
"Okay, he definitely specializes in Steel types," she said. "Aggron, Skarmory, and Metagross, half of his Pokemon are that type."
"Then what are the other half?" Dawn asked.
"Let's see, Claydol is a Ground and Psychic type, and he's got a Cradily and an Armaldo as well according to this," Serena said. "Both those are Rock types as well as Grass and Bug."
"Okay," Ash said thinking for a moment and counting with his fingers. "Three Steel, two Psychic, three Rock, a Grass, Flying, and Bug."
"He's got all his primary weaknesses backed up," Drew said. "Psychic and Flying to combat Fighting types, and Rock and Grass against Fire and Ground Types."
Ash nodded. "Guess I'll need a little variety as well."
He thought of his current Pokémon. Pikachu, Corphish, Grovyle, Swellow, Plusle, and Castform.
"Okay, I think I'll keep half of what I got right now. I'll send Swellow, Plusle and Grovyle over to you, Professor." '
"And which ones will you be taking in their places?" Oak asked as Ash prepared the transfer.
"Two Fire Types and a Fighting," Ash said. "I've got Castform able to transform into Ice, Fire or Water, as well as Corpish to deal with Ground types, and Pikachu can go against Skarmory maybe. So, I think I'll go with Charizard and my new Rapidash."
"Ah the beginner's luck," Oak said. "I remember when you used Crabby in the Indigo League and it evolved into Kingler. And the last one?"
"Donphan," Ash said.
Oak nodded. "Good choices! Oldies but goodies! They will be quite a good team for Steven Stone to face, I say!"
Ash transferred the Pokéballs one by one and received each Pokémon he requested in return. Now he was ready.
…
Soon it was for the final battle. Ash stepped out onto the final stadium, which was a mere standard type, a set of lines painted onto a dirt field with a Pokéball in the center. This was it, one way or another.
The announcer spoke on the microphone. "Here we are at the final match of the Hoenn League! Long time champion Steven Stone against Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town! Will Steven finally meet his match or will it just be another one-sided battle?"
"Steven! Steven! Steven!" the crowd cheered.
Seemed the champion had a large fan section. But that was probably to be expected. Of course, Ash had someone supporting him as well.
"Ash!" He heard her voice up in the stands nearby and looked to see her waving.
May smiled at him and screamed at the top of her lungs. "Do your best!"
Ash smiled and blew a kiss at her. She blushed in return. Pikachu also saw Glaceon and waved at her. She smiled back. Serena and Dawn giggled while Drew and Morrison watched.
Steven then walked across the field to Ash and extended his hand. "Well Ash good luck!"
"You too Steven! Here's to a great battle!" Ash agreed as he shook the champion's hand.
Steven returned to his place on the other side of the stadium. Both trainers drew their Pokéballs.
"Skarmory, go!" Steven said.
"Castform, I choose you!"
Both Pokéballs flew and released their Pokémon. Ash hadn't been sure which Pokemon Steven would use so he decided to be adaptable. Seemed Pikachu wouldn't be facing Skarmory after all. Ah well, Pikachu could always come in later.
"Begin!" The referee told them.
"Alright Castform start out with Sunny Day!" Ash ordered.
"Cast!" Castform lit up yellow and rose as the sunlight grew brighter above it. It transformed into its sunlike Fire type form.
"Aerial Ace!" Steven told Skarmory.
The armored bird Pokémon flew at an incredible speed with the move that couldn't be dodged. It knocked Castform from the sky and Ash gasped in concern.
"Castform, you okay?" he asked.
"Cast!" Castform recovered and levitated back off the ground.
"Good!" Ash praised. "Now, Weather Ball!"
Castform conjured its blank gray ball that went up into the bright sunny sky. It came back down and assumed the form of fire. The attack hit Skarmory who cried out in pain.
"Toxic!" Steven said.
Ash gasped. Toxic again just like Katie used! He wouldn't be able to use Castform much longer if this kept up. The thick poison substance surrounded Castform in midair as Skarmory flapped its wings as though summoning the poison. Castform gasped as it was engulfed and turned purple. Then the poison in its body glowed and Castform took damage.
Ash gritted his teeth, knowing he had to end this quickly.
"Fire Blast now!"
Castform focused and shot a Fire Blast that was superpowered by the sunlight at Skarmory.
"Dodge it!" Steven ordered.
Skarmory did so and Castform took another, even bigger dose of poison damage.
"Spikes!" Steven followed up.
Skarmory conjured spikes this time. They fell to the ground and vanished. Ash felt nervous as he realized that any Pokemon called out afterwards would receive damage upon entering the battle field. That was a champion alright, with powerful attacks and incredible strategy. Ash just had to push forward.
"Fire Blast again!"
A second powerful Fire Blast flew out, this time hitting Skarmory dead on. The steel bird fell and hit the ground.
"Skarmory!" Steven exclaimed.
"Skarmory is unable to battle, the first victory goes to…" the referee broke off as Castform suddenly took another bit of poison damage from Toxic and fainted as well.
"Castform!" Ash called out. He'd hoped that Castform would have lasted long enough to be able to receive an antidote that Ash had in his backpack.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!" the referee adjusted. "This match ends in a tie!"
Both trainers called their Pokémon back.
Ash looked at Castform's Pokéball. "You did a good job Castform. We'll take it from here!"
Steven likewise looked at Skarmory's ball. "You've given us an advantage Skarmory. Good work."
Ash drew his next ball, feeling the still strong sunlight. It probably wouldn't last much longer. He needed to take advantage of it while he could.
"Charizard, go!"
His oldest Fire type emerged with a roar, spreading its orange wings, the flame on its tail burning brightly. The spikes from Skarmory's last move suddenly appeared and flew at Charizard but the dragonlike Pokémon didn't appear pained.
Ash grinned. "Oh yeah, you're part flying type so you aren't affected by spikes!"
"Don't think that guarantees you a victory, Ash!" Steven said from across the stadium as he drew his own ball. "Armaldo, go!"
A plate covered amphibious like Pokémon with a light blue body, yellow accents, a red and black nose, and white and red feathers emerging from the sides of its head emerged. That was a rock and bug type, so it would feel normal damage against fire attacks. Though with the Sunny Day still intact probably for one more round Ash had a chance to still do some serious damage.
"Flamethrower!"
Charizard sent out its most commonly used attacked. A stream of fire erupted from its mouth.
But Steven was ready. "Protect!"
Armaldo conjured a barrier of light in front of itself and blocked the extra powerful Flamethrower. To make matters worse, the bright sunlight faded, now Charizard's fire attacks would only do normal damage. Ash was once again in awe of the champions flawless quick planning. But he wouldn't give up. Protect's success rate would decrease if it was used in succession.
"Water Pulse!" Steven ordered.
Ash was quick to counter. "Overheat!"
Charizard's entire body glowed orange and it shot out the fire type move that was even stronger than Fire Blast. Overheat overpowered the Water Pulse, evaporating it, then the flames went onto hit Armaldo who went down.
"Armaldo is unable to battle! Charizard is the winner!" the referee announced.
"Alright!" Ash said triumphantly. "I can always count on you, Charizard!"
Charizard looked back at him with a smile and then gave him a loving Flamethrower. Ash felt the sting of the slight burns, but coming from Charizard that was just showing the love. Ash grinned as May and the others gasped.
"Still hot as ever!"
Steven got out his next Pokémon. "Cradily! Its up to you!"
A green flower like Pokémon with a mask like black marking over its eyes emerged.
"Dragon's Tail!" Ash said once they got the go.
Charizard lit up its tail which turned white and flew forward to strike.
"Confuse Ray!" Steven ordered.
The ray flew forward as Charizard neared. The dragon like Pokémon missed with its attack and continued forward, hitting the wall.
"Charizard! Come on snap out of it!" Ash called.
"Ancient Power!"
Rocks materialized around Cradily and flew at Charizard, hitting the Fire and Flying type with an extremely super effective move that did not just double, but four times as much damage. That was enough to one hit ko even the mighty Charizard who fell with swirls in its eyes.
"Charizard is unable to battle! Cradily is the winner!" the referee announced.
Ash still had the advantage of having more Pokémon available.
"Alright Pikachu!" he turned to his oldest partner who ran out onto the battlefield.
Steven had a feeling he knew what Ash's strategy was. His spikes from Skarmory emerged and dug into Pikachu who cried out in a bit of pain as it received
"Iron Tail!"
Pikachu leapt into the air, his tail turning metallic.
"Sandstorm!"
Cradily conjured up a sandstorm around itself, blocking the Iron Tail while also hitting Pikachu. Sandstorm wasn't a strong attack thankfully, but it would all add up. Pikachu was knocked back and rolled across the stadium a short way.
"Glaceon!" Glaceon called out in concern.
Pikachu quickly got up. Ash narrowed his eyes in determination.
Pikachu's already taken a couple hits and Cradily nothing at all. Ash thought. Time to bring out the big guns.
"Thunder Pikachu!"
"Pikachuuuuu!" Pikachu sent out its most powerful electric attack.
It hit Cradily who cried out in pain. As a grass type, the electric attack was less effective, but Thunder was still pretty powerful.
"Giga Drain!" Steven said.
Ash flinched. Giga Drain would suck Pikachu's energy and replenish Cradily's if it landed. The rock flower Pokémon came toward Pikachu, needing to be up close. But it was slow thanks to its heavy body. Ash smirked as he recalled one of Pikachu's greatest strengths, his speed.
"Agility!" he ordered.
Pikachu moved at high speed, appearing all over the stadium in seconds. Cradily looked around in confusion, unable to keep up with Pikachu's speed.
"Now Iron Tail!"
Pikachu leapt again and this time his aim was true. His Iron Tail struck Cradilly who fell to the super effective move.
"Cradily is unable to battle! Pikachu is the winner!" the referee said.
"That is three of Steven's Pokémon defeated," the announcer said on the microphone. "That is the first time we've seen that in a few years! Ash may have a good chance of winning this!"
In the stands, many in the crowd were in awe that the champion had been the one to have three of his Pokémon defeated first rather than the challenger. But they were very much enjoying the battle and this could easily turn the other way soon.
"Break time once again!"
Ash took a breath and recalled Pikachu.
"We're so close buddy!" he said.
"Pika." Pikachu nodded. "Yeah."
They walked over the trainer's lounge which was practically empty now that Ash was the only trainer left competing. The only ones allowed here now were his friends. They soon joined him and May threw her arms around him.
"You're doing great Ash!" she said as she kissed him.
"Thanks May," Ash said kissing back.
The others looked at him with smiles.
"You have four Pokémon left and Steven only has three!" Dawn said. "No need to worry!"
"You're certainly putting on a good show," Drew praised. "But remember things could turn around! The same thing happened with Morrison here!"
"Yeah, but I'm proud of you Ash!" Morrison said. "A bit jealous, but proud. You are one great trainer!"
"Always have been," Serena said.
Ash chuckled. "Well as long as you've known me! I wasn't always this good."
"We were all there at some point," Drew nodded.
Serena nodded, recalling her first loss that caused her to cut her hair as a sign of resolve. "But we've all come so far. I won the ribbon cup and now you are so close!"
Ash nodded. They waited for a while, and Ash applied a Super Potion to Pikachu. He'd be back on there real soon.