Chapter 16: A Battle Packed Festival Part 4

"Alright, I can do this!"

"Pika Pika!"

Ash was sitting down in the audience, psyching himself up for his match with May.

"She told me not to hold anything back, and I don't plan on it! I just hope she doesn't intend to throw me in the dungeon if I win."

The two of them shared a good laugh at that.

"Excuse me?"

Ash turned to see Max approaching him.

"Your highness?"

"You can just call me Max, I don't mind. I was wondering if you were going to use Pikachu in your next battle?"

Ash shook his head.

"No, I'll be using Grovyle. But I know my best buddy will be rooting for us, won't ya?"

"Pi!"

"In that case, would it be alright if I look after him for you? We don't see a lot of Pikachu around Petalburg."

Before Ash could respond, Pikachu hopped off his shoulder and ran up to the prince, rubbing against his leg and letting him pet him. Ash chuckled.

"I think Pikachu answered for me, but as long as he's okay with it, I'm okay with it."

"Thanks! I promise I'll take good care of him."

Ash gave him a thumbs up, before heading to the battlefield.


"That's it Combusken, keep it up!

"Combusken!"

Combusken grunted, continuing to kick the practice dummy May was holding up for her, each kick being stronger than the last, and May could feel it.

"That's it, keep it up!"

"Combusken!"

With one last kick, the dummy toppled over, the Princess barely having enough time to jump out of the way as it came crashing down. May smiled, pleased with the results.

"Great job, Combusken! Ash won't stand a chance!"


A few moments later, Ash and May were ready for their battle. After shaking hands, they shared a long look before moving to their respective sides of the arena.

"Remember Ash, no holding back!"

"I wouldn't dream of it!"

"This battle between Princess May and Sir Ash shall now begin! This will be a one-on-one battle with no time limit! Once either Pokemon is unable to battle, a victor will be decided! Are both competitors ready?"

"Ready!"

"Ready!"

"Then let the battle begin!"

"Go, Combusken!"

"Grovyle, I choose you!"

"Battle begin!"

"Ember, Combusken!"

"Dodge, then use Energy Ball!"

Grovyle jumped out of the way of the flames before launching his own attack at Combusken, forcing her back.

"Flame Charge, Combusken!"

"Block with X-Scissor, then Use Giga Drain!"

Combusken charged forward, pushing Grovyle to the far side of the arena, though Grovyle managed to slow her down somewhat with his arms. Once Combusken had stopped, Grovyle began to absorb energy from her into his body, making her groan in pain.

"Now use Bullet Seed!"

While Combusken tried to recover, Grovyle pelted her with small seeds, forcing her away from him.

"Now use Leaf Blade!"

"Flamethrower!"

Grovyle charged, arms at the ready to strike. Combusken tried to knock him out with a Flamethrower, but he powered through and hit his mark.

"Double Kick!"

Combusken recovered quickly, dealing two hard kicks to Grovyle's gut.

"Bullet Seed!"

"Flamethrower!"

The two attacks zoomed past each other, landing their mark and forcing the two apart. Both Grovyle and Combusken fell to one knee, the effects of the long battle starting to take its toll on them both.

"Solar Blade, Grovyle!"

"Flame Charge, but don't go until I tell you!"

Combusken took a fighting stance, charging up heat as flames began to build up around her body. Meanwhile Grovyle raised his arms to the sun, absorbing sunlight into them as they glowed brightly. The two stayed like this for a moment, charging up their attacks and waiting for their chance to strike.

"Now!"

At their trainer's order. Grovyle and Combusken launched themselves at each other, rocketing towards their enemy ready to strike. They passed each other in the middle, stopping once they had reached the other end of the battlefield. For a moment, they stood still, sweat dripping down from their bodies. After a minute, however, they both collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

For a moment, everyone was silent, unsure of how to proceed. At last, however, the king spoke.

"Both Pokemon are unable to battle! This match ends in…a draw?"

Despite the unexpected outcome, Ash and May were proud of their Pokemon, returning them with a smile.

"You did great, Grovyle. Get some rest."

"You too, Combusken."

Afterwards, they met in the middle and shook each other's hand.

"That was a great battle, May."

"Thanks, Sir Ash."

As an attendant made his way to them with the egg, a puzzled look came across the king's face.

"So…who gets the egg?"

None of the royal family had a good response. Luckily, Ash had just the answer.

"Why don't we just let the egg hatch, and let whatever Pokemon comes out choose their trainer?"

Everyone thought for a minute, before nodding.

"That's a great idea! How'd you come up with it?" May asked.

"Back when my journey was just getting started, my friends and I came into possession of a Pokemon Egg, and we had a competition to decide who would get to train it. I won, but when it hatched into a Togepi, she chose my friend Misty."

Ash chose to omit that he was still a little upset that he didn't get Togepi. Really wouldn't help settle this argument.

"Who knows?" May said thoughtfully. "Maybe this time will be different."

"Maybe."


After the tournament had wrapped up, Ash and May returned to the stands, where Pikachu quickly jumped out of Max's lap and ran up to Ash, quickly leaping back onto his shoulder.

"Hey there, buddy! Did you have a good time?"

"Pi!"

"Thanks for keeping an eye on him, Max. He wasn't too much trouble, was he?"

"Not at all!" The Prince replied with a smile. "We had a great time, thanks for letting me watch him."

The King and Queen arrived shortly, looking happy.

"The tournament was a success! I've already got people asking to sign up for next year."

"That's great!" May said.

"Yeah, and once I'm old enough, I'll win it!" Max declared, earning a few chuckles.

"Now that the tournament is finished, we can start planning the ball for the end of the festival."
When Ash heard the word ball, his face paled.

"Ball? As in dancing?"

"Yep!" May replied. "I can't wait!"

"You kids go and enjoy the festival," Queen Caroline told them. "Norman and I have some planning to do."

With that, the King and Queen left them to their own devices. Max left to play some of the games, leaving Ash and May alone.

"Sir Ash, is something wrong?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, everything's fine, why?"

"Because you got all uncomfortable when we mentioned the ball. If something's the matter, you can tell me."

Ash sighed.

"Ok, but promise me you won't laugh."

"Of course I won't!"

"Alright, well…I can't dance."