Chapter 37: Becoming A Champion
Authors Notes: So, maybe I should make a little edit to the last chapter and at least acknowledge that Ash battled the Elite Four. Like the other battles I skipped over they're not really too relevant and we've had a lot these past several chapters. Though from what I recall in the Sinnoh League, Tobias only battled Cynthia unless he managed to get past the Elite Four offscreen. Well, deal with that soon. And…
Reviews:
Lady Arcanine: Glad you liked it as always, especially since you inspired this story in the first place with your own. We'll soon have it finished and give our heroes a happy ending. Yeah Minun would have something to say about Plusle leaving if she knew. Almost didn't insert that but decided I should.
Guest: Thanks for spotting that mistake. Fixed.
Darkdrgon: Well I already addressed your review pretty much in the beginning of the notes. Will probably edit this weekend.
Once the break time ended, Ash stepped out yet again onto the battlefield. This was it, one way or another it would be over. He'd either win and become a champion, or he'd lose the league yet again. He had won one before at least, in the Orange Islands. But they had been rather isolated from the rest of the leagues and not well known. Ash stood on his side of the stadium and looked at his partner. "Ready for another round Pikachu?"
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded as he ran out. "Yeah!"
Steven drew his next Pokéball. "Claydol go!"
A large black Pokémon that resembled a mud doll emerged. It had multiple eyes going around its entire head in a straight line, with beak protrusions between them. The top of its head and arms resembled pegs and white symbols were on its stomach.
Ash gritted his teeth as he knew Claydol was part Ground and part Psychic type. That would make Pikachu's Electric attacks useless. But Ash had faith in his number one partner. They'd faced many situations like this before where they were at a disadvantage. His Charizard defeating Gary's Blastoise in the Johto Silver Conference, Chikorita winning against a Bug Type in a Gym Battle, and Pikachu defeating a Cubone back in their early days in Kanto just months after they first set off together. Even though he'd matured and learned to think things through a bit more, he knew his spirit was just as important. It had won many times in the past.
"We may have a disadvantage Pikachu! But that doesn't guarantee victory for Steven!" Ash said.
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed. "Yeah!"
Steven smiled. "Your confidence is admirable Ash. But it's not very commendable when your Electric attacks don't work at all! Doing less damage is one thing, but being immune to something all together is another matter!"
"I'm not giving up!" Ash said.
"Go!" the referee raised his flags.
"Pikachu Quick Attack!" Ash ordered.
Pikachu moved fast as he almost flew at Claydol, ramming into the doll Pokémon too fast for it to use its Psychic powers. Claydol cried out as it was hit.
"Reflect!" Steven said.
Claydol surrounded itself in a barrier, raising its defense against physical attacks.
Ash wasn't giving up though.
"Iron Tail!"
Pikachu leapt into the air and prepared to perform the move. But its Iron Tail wasn't nearly as fast as its Quick Attack. Steven was quick to take advantage of that.
"Psybeam!"
Claydol shot a rainbow-colored beam out of its center set of eyes as Pikachu neared. Pikachu was pushed back.
"Pikachu! Ash exclaimed.
"Earthquake!" Steven followed up.
Claydol lowered itself to the ground which began to shake. The ground then sprung up at Pikachu's feet and sent the Electric type flying. Pikachu went up and soon fell back down. He hit, swirls in his eyes.
"Gla!" Glaceon cried out.
"Pikachu is unable to battle! Claydol is the winner!" the referee declared.
Ash ran over to Pikachu and picked him up. May instinctively ran out as well with Glaceon at her side. Glaceon looked up at Pikachu.
"You okay?" she asked him in their language of their own names.
"Yeah," he replied.
"You can still win this, Sir Ash," May said low enough that only the two of them could hear her use his title.
"Yeah, I know Princess," Ash said as he handed Pikachu to her. "I love you."
"You too," May looked at Steven. "He's strong, but I know you are stronger!"
Ash smiled and kissed her. "I'll win!"
She returned to the stands with Pikachu, Glaceon trailing at her heels.
Ash reached for his next Pokéball. "Corphish! Go!"
The crustacean Pokémon appeared. "Cor!"
Ash looked at Claydol, knowing that a close-range attack probably wasn't the answer to dealing with a Psychic Pokémon. Corphish wasn't nearly as fast as Pikachu and wouldn't reach it in time without a little help.
"Corphish move forward and use Bubblebeam!" Ash ordered.
"Cor phish phish phish!" Corphish shot the Bubblebeams and began moving forward.
Claydol was pommeled by the rapid bursts of bubble and couldn't see Corphish through it.
"Use Light Screen!" Steven said.
Claydol surrounded itself in another barrier, this one able to protect against special attacks that were of the opposing Pokémon's type. But it had already taken good damage from Corphish's Bubblebeam. Now to finish it.
"Crabhammer!"
Corphish lit up its pincers and attacked as it closed the distance. The Water Type attack did half as much damage thanks to the Light Screen defense, but the onslaught of Bubblebeam from before had done its work. The Crabhammer hit and Claydol went down.
"Yay!" May threw her arms into the air.
Ash heard her and looked over with a smile. Now-
"Only two of Steven's Pokémon remain!" the announcer declared. "This has never happened before! Ash Ketchum has certainly come a long way in his eleven years as a Pokémon Trainer!"
Steven drew his next ball. "Aggron! I choose you!"
A large Pokémon primarily gray in coloration with white here and there appeared. Its skin was a mixture of hard rock and metal.
"Aggron!" It cried out with a voice that matched its tough exterior.
Ash knew Aggron by reputation, they were strong. Part Steel Type and Part Rock Type. Normal Types would be helpess against such a foe. But Ash knew Corphish had the advantage. Water Types were strong against Rock, and resistant to Steel Attacks. But as he knew, type wasn't everything. Steven likely had something up his sleeve as well if he choose to bring Aggron out against a Water Type.
He sends Aggron out and uses Thunder and Solarbeam to defeat Corphish while taking some damage from two Bubblebeams. Ash then sends out Donphan who defeats Aggron with Earthquake.
"Begin!" the referee said once again.
Ash started out. "Bubble beam!"
"Aggron Thunder!"
Ash gasped. Aggron and Corphish released their attacks at the same time. The Thunder and Bubblebeam soared just inches out of each other's line and went onto hit their targets. Both of them cried out in pain as they were hit. Corphish was lucky that Aggron was not an Electric type or that might have one hit koed it by adding more power to the Thunder. Aggron likewise took some serious damage.
"Solarbeam!" Steven said.
Damn, he had two powerful moves he could use against Water Types. But Solarbeam took a long time to charge.
"Corphish! Bubblebeam!" Ash pressed.
If he could defeat Aggron before the Solarbeam was released he could have just one more Pokémon to deal with and still have three of his own.
"Iron Defense!" Steven countered.
Aggron's armored body shined, it didn't even stop charging the Solarbeam. The increased defense lessened the damage it took from the Bubblebeam. Still it caused good damage, one more might be enough.
"Try again!" Ash said.
Corphish shot yet another Bubblebeam, but at that moment, Aggron released the Solarbeam. It made contact with the Bubblebeam, dispersing the bubbles and going on to hit Corphish.
"Cor!"
A cloud of dust blocked view of Corphish as Ash, May and their friends watched in worry. Soon the dust cleared and revealed Corphish, defeated. Ash called it back, now they were both down to just two Pokémon. This would be close, just like some of the others had been.
Ash drew his second to last Pokéball. "Go Donphan!"
The gray armored elephant-like Pokémon came out.
"Go!" the referee said for what must have been the hundredth time in the league Ash had heard.
"Aggron use Water Pulse!" Steven said.
Aggron opened its mouth and charged a watery blue aura as Ash quickly thought out what to do. Steven had prepared his Aggron to be able to deal with just about any threat. But Ash could adapt.
"Use Rollout to dodge!" he called.
Donphan rolled into a ball and spun as quick as a wheel. At that moment, Aggron let out a set of three rings made of water that just barely missed the Ground Type, if they'd made contact, they might have caused Donphan to become confused. One lucky shot from that might have cost Ash his next Pokémon, and probably would have meant certain defeat.
"Now, Earthquake!"
Donphan emerged from its wheel form and stomped on the ground, causing it to rise and flow toward Aggron. The Steel and Rock Type didn't stand a chance, both its types were weak against Ground attacks. The Earthquake move did four times as much damage, just as the rock attack against Charizard earlier. It one hit koed Aggron who fell with a heavy thud.
"Aggron is unable to battle! Donphan is the winner!"
"Yes! Go Si- Ash!" May caught herself from saying sir.
Steven then sends out Metagross who prevents Donphan's Rollout with Psychic and avoids Earthquake by levitating. He then sends a Meteor Mash at Donphan who dodges and manages to land a rollout and follows up with Earthquake, doing some good damage. But Metagross lands a powerful Hyperbeam to Donphan and Ash is left with just his new Rapidash.
Steven called Aggron back to its Pokéball.
"Our champion is down to just one Pokémon left!" the announcer said. "Is this the end of Steven's rein? Or will he turn the tables on his latest challenger?"
"Metagross, go!" Steven threw his final Pokéball.
The final opposing Pokémon. A large floating blue mass of metal with four legs even taller then its main body in the center. The legs had spikes on the bottom and Metagross bore a large gray X on the front of its face as well as a pair of red eyes. Ash knew this would be a tough one. Metagross was an incredibly rare Pokémon that took a lot of skill to raise from a Beldum. Morrison might eventually get one, if he could evolve his Metang. Ash would have to defeat this one though.
They got the ever present 'Go!' from the referee and Ash launched into action.
"Rollout!" Ash said.
Donphan rolled toward Metagross. Ash knew Rock Type moves weren't very effective against Steel Types, but Rollout could increase in power every time it was used.
"Psychic!" Steven countered.
Metagross's eyes lit up and an aura wrapped around Donphan who was lifted into the air before it could reach the Steel Type and thrown back.
In the stands, Drew frowned. "Trying to land a physical attack against a Psychic type and one that's not very effective against it? That's no way to deal with a Champion!"
"Earthquake!" Ash changed tactics, realizing the same thing as Drew.
Donphan stomped the ground, creating another wave of land that soared toward Metagross.
"Levitate and dodge!" Steven ordered.
Metagross rose into the air and over the Ground attack.
"Now, Meteor Mash!" Steven followed up.
Metagross lit up its clawed feet and soared down at Donphan.
"Rollout to dodge then attack!" Ash called.
Donphan assumed its wheel form again and rolled away from the attack before turning and hitting Metagross before it could respond. Metagross hit the ground, not badly hurt but enough to knock it down. That left it vulnerable to a follow up attack and Ash was quick to take advantage of that.
"Earthquake!"
Donphan sent another wave on the ground out. This time Metragross couldn't get its heavy body up in time. It was thrown back again, feeling the super effective damage.
"Yay Ash!" May cheered.
Ash smiled.
But Steven had a trump card ready.
"Hyper Beam!"
A brilliant orange beam from Metagross's mouth below the x mark. It hit Donphan with incredible power, throwing it all the way to the other side of the stadium and against the wall. It slid down and fainted.
"Donphan is unable to battle! Metagross is the winner!"
It was now down to one on each side. Whoever won this battle, won the whole thing.
Ash drew his last Pokeball. "Its up to you Rapidash! Go!"
The flaming unicorn like Pokémon he'd ridden on just about a month ago during the battle with Harley emerged. Ash had made sure to check his Rapidash's attacks beforehand and commit them to memory.
A final "Go!" Sounded from the referee's mouth. This was it. The final bout.
May knew that she had to do her best to cheer Ash on now more then ever.
"Come Ash! You can do it!" she yelled at the top of her lungs before remembering someone.
She drew a Pokéball. "Minun! Come on out!"
The cream and blue Pokémon appeared.
"Ash needs cheering as much as possible!" May told her first partner.
"Mi!" Minun looked out and saw the battle about to start. She sparked her cheeks and got ready to cheer.
"Rapidash Fire Spin!" Ask ordered.
Rapidash opened his mouth and blew out a stream of fire at Metagross.
"Use Psychic to redirect it!" Steven ordered his Pokémon.
Metagross's eyes lit up and the blue psychic aura wrapped around the Fire Spin attack, stopping it mere inches from Metagross's steel body. Metagross then directed it harmlessly into the sky.
From the stands May wondered aloud, "Why didn't Steven just turn it back on Rapidash?"
"Because that would just make Rapidash stronger most likely," Drew said. "Rapidash can have an ability called Flash Fire that makes their Fire Type moves even stronger if they're hit with Fire attacks.
Minun however, took the chance to let off a stream of sparks to cheer them on. Ash and Rapidash saw it from their place. They looked over and Ash felt his drive increase. His princess was cheering for him, along with Pikachu who'd gotten up with help from Glaceon and put his paws in the air to show he supported Ash as well even though he couldn't battle anymore.
Ash smiled before frowning in thought. Psychic is a tough defense, and this is against a champion. I'll need to be at my fastest. He quickly recalled another move. And just in time.
"Earthquake!" Steven said.
The same move Ash had used with Donphan. It would do massive damage to a Fire Type, Steven was truly ready for all his disadvantages. But Ash spoke just in time as Metagross spread its legs, looking ready to smash the ground.
"Agility and dodge!"
Rapidash used Agility and increased its speed, it was already one of the fastest ground Pokémon, but its speed increased even more. Now it moved almost too fast for the eye to see. Metagross hit the ground which shook, but Rapidash jumped over the Earthquake just in time, avoiding the damage. Metagross struggled to see the flaming horse as it looked into the sun behind Rapidash.
Ash saw this and took advantage! "Now Fire Spin!"
Rapidash sent out the attack and landed a hit this time. Fire spun around Metagross and would continue for a minute or so.
"Meteor Mash!" Steven said, knowing he had to end this before Metagross took too much damage from the Fire Spin or other attacks.
Metagross lit up its clawed legs once again and soared toward Rapidash.
"Dodge and use Stomp!" Ash said.
Rapidash's immense speed allowed it to easily move out of the way of Metagross's powerful steel attack. It then rammed its hooves into Metagross. Didn't do much damage but it did knock the big steel type off its feet.
"Let's finish this! Fire Blast!" Ash said calling on the most powerful technique he'd seen Rapidash had on his Pokedex.
Rapidash fired the powerful human shaped Fire Blast.
Rapidash opened his mouth wide and prepared to send out the move.
"Psychic and redirect!" Steven called, a bit worried.
Metagross's eyes lit up as Rapidash sent out the human shaped blast of fire. Metagross struggled to repel the power with its mind but managed to slow and eventually stop it after a few seconds. Ash knew what would happen next.
"Rapidash, leap into the Fire Blast!" he called.
Rapidash did as it was told without question. It leapt forward and into the suspended fire. Many in the stands gasped, not aware of the ability Rapidash had. As the attack dispersed, but Rapidash's flames burned brighter as its Flash Fire ability was activated. Ash had seen it had that ability when scanning it with his Pokedex. Now Rapidash's fire attacks would be even more powerful.
"Yay! Now Ash is even more fired up!" May declared.
"That's one of putting it!" Serena said. "He's always been that way!"
Minun however, looked up at the board showing the two trainers Pokémon and noticed something. "Minun! Mi!"
"What is it Minun?" May asked.
"Minun! Minun!" her Electric Type exclaimed pointing to the board then to herself and finally to Ash.
"Oh, you're wondering about Plusle, huh?" May realized. "Ash had to switch Pokémon to prepare for this battle."
"Mi!" Minun frowned.
"Don't worry he'll be back soon! No doubt! I'll remind Ash if need be!" May said.
Minun nodded slowly.
Steven knew he had to act now. "Metagross, Hyper Beam!"
Metagross prepared the Hyper Beam from its mouth.
"Rapidash! Fire Blast!" Ash said.
With the power boost from Flash Fire, there might just be enough power to overcome Hyperbeam. This was it, whichever move won, would likely win the whole match.
The two Pokémon charged out their moves and released them. A powerful orange hyperbeam against a human shaped fireblast. The moves collided, pushing against each other for the space of a couple seconds before canceling each other out. Too equal in power to overcome the other. But Metagross breathed heavily, unable to move after using Hyper Beam.
Ash grinned. "Yeah, now's our chance! One more Fire Blast!"
Rapidash prepared a third blast which soared out as Metagross stood exhausted, unable to even dodge. Steven watched with his mouth wide open as the blast blocked any view of Metagross for a moment. When the smoke and fire cleared, the steel type appeared, swirls in its eyes.
"Metagross is unable to battle. The winner is Rapidash! The victor is Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town! We now have a new Champion!"
"We did it!" Ash jumped for joy.
"Yay!" May jumped to her feet and began clapping with the others.
"That Ash! He's finally done it!" Serena said.
"I told you there was no need to worry!" Dawn said. "At least I was
right in the end."
Ash walked over to Rapidash and stroked the flaming horse's neck. "Great job Rapidash. You must have had the best beginner's luck ever. Of course you've probably been in your share of battles before this huh?"
The flame horse nodded with a neigh. Steven then returned Metagross to its Pokéball.
"We had a good long run Metagross, but it had to happen sooner or later."
He then walked over to Ash. "That was a great battle, Ash! You've earned your championship. There is no shame in losing to you."
"Thanks Steven," Ash said shaking the Champions hand.
"Ash!"
He looked and saw May running toward him at top speed with Pikachu, Glaceon, Minun and all their friends behind her. She threw her arms around him and he lifted her up off her feet as they kissed each other. Then Nurse Joy suddenly appeared as well, holding a large golden trophy.
"It is with great pleasure that I present Ash Ketchum with the Champion's Trophy!" Joy said.
Ash smiled and took the trophy. "Thanks Nurse Joy!"
Joy then turned to a familar reporter. "Well Gabby! Ready to interview our Champion?"
"I think so!" Gabby said.
Ash blushed as he recognized her from before.
"Ash what was your secret to becoming champion?"
Ash chuckled. "Well, learn from the mistakes of your past arrogant self and prepare, but never forget to have the spirit to never give up!"
"Well said Ash!" Mr. Suziko appeared. "As head of the Pokémon Fan Club I now declare you a Champion of the Hoenn League!"
The crowd cheered at his words. "Ash! Ash! Ash!"
Ash smiled. He'd finally become a Pokémon Champion, which was essentially the same as Pokémon Master. He was now one of the top recognized trainers in the world. He'd finally fulfilled his dream after years of traveling through the world and failing many of the other leagues. True he'd won in the Orange League as well but that had been a minorly known league. This however, was a major accomplishment that was sure to be known around the world.
Ash was then led to the Hall of Fame after performing a quick switch with Professor Oak. Corphish, Plusle, and Grovyle were all returned with Plusle getting a hug from Minun as soon as she saw him. Their separation had thankfully been brief. Meanwhile Rapidash, Charizard and Donphan all went back to the lab. Ash was grateful to those three for their aid, but his main team had done most of the work and deserved to be recorded. Ash would never forget his other three though. His picture was taken with him and all his Pokémon standing side by side. A cement mold was cast with him and all his Pokémon putting their prints in as well. Both were put into the Hall to be remembered as a Champion of the Hoenn League.
Ash and May sat with all their friends at a table having dinner at the champion's table.
"I guess we'll be going home tomorrow huh?" May said.
"Yeah," Ash said. "To Pallet Town at least."
May nodded. "My home is with you now, Ash."
They smiled at each other, and took one another's hands across the table. Their journey was just about over. But a new one was just over the horizon.