Pokémon on hand for Ash: Pikachu,, Machamp, Salamence, Lapras, Sneasel, Gyarados, Heracross and Chikorita.
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Chapter 6
Waking up the next day Ash looked at his Pokégear and wondered if he should go through with what he yearned to do which was speak to his dad. Instead, he loaded up his number and sent the pictures of the tombs to him instead. He knew it was slightly cowardly, but he had no desire to re-hash the argument he had a few days prior, so he thought he'd offer an olive branch so to speak. And sure enough less than twenty minutes later his Pokégear started ringing only it wasn't his dad, it was Sam. Puzzled he answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello Ash" Sam said sounding grave "we need to have a chat."
"Ok?" Ash said confused "what about?"
"I received an email this morning from Amanda Hale regarding the discovery at the Ruins of Alph" Sam said "now initially the report said that you made a significant contribution to their research which I'm pleased about. What I'm not pleased about is that in the same report there is mention of a theft. Now, I know you Ash, you're not a thief but for the record I do need to ask you if you stole something from the dig site."
"That's a question with two answers" Ash said, "so no and yes."
"Ash" Sam said warningly "where is the tile?"
"I don't have the tile" Ash said "which is the 'no' part of my answer Sam."
"So, what's the 'yes' part?" he asked patiently.
"I did more than just help them with their research" Ash said "I solved the tile puzzle, and it opened up another room. In that room was the body of a dead Aura Guardian with a warning on his sarcophagus, a box full of tiles and a book. I left the tiles and body alone but took the book but yesterday Pikachu and I found two more tombs in a hidden part of Union Cave with the same warning. It's not good Sam, they all died at the same time preventing a global disaster, one which could easily happen again. It's why I sealed the tomb back up by throwing the missing tile through the doorway as it closed."
"It's that serious?" Sam asked as he processed Ash's response.
"I'll send you the book as soon as I get to Goldenrod City" Ash said, "trust me when I tell you that I was right in doing what I did."
"Well Amanda doesn't see it that way and has filed a police report" Sam said shocking Ash.
"They have no idea what they're meddling with" Ash said shaking his head.
"It gets worse" Sam said, "she's told your mother too."
"Of course she did" Ash replied "I'll talk to mum. But keep an eye out for the book, It's important Sam."
Sam just nodded as he hung up making Ash sigh but before he could say anything his phone rang again. This time it was his mum.
"Ashton Satoshi Ketchum!" her voice rang out making him wince "explain yourself young man! Explain why I've just read an email from Amanda Hale banning you from all further dig sites that she's a part of."
"Is Dad with you?" Ash asked ignoring the question "If so, can you put him on too."
"Do not ignore me young man!" She replied.
"I'm not" Ash said, "but he needs to hear this too."
Giving him a look she walked off screen and returned a few seconds later with her husband who looked stone faced at seeing Ash.
"Did you receive my messages?" Ash asked looking at his dad who just looked puzzled and walked off screen. Walking back on he opened them, and his mouth dropped open and blindly reached out for a chair, something Delia was quick to pick up on and sat him down in one.
"Are these real?" Red asked looking up at Ash who nodded "where did you find them?"
"The Ruins of Alph" Ash replied making Delia narrow her eyes as she took the phone from Red and looked at the pictures.
"Who are they and why is this significant?" Delia asked, "what does this have to do with Amanda?"
"Did you read the inscription?" Ash asked. Delia looked at him before reading it aloud making Red snatch the phone from her in shock and read it himself.
"The Unown?" he asked looking at Ash ignoring the outraged shout from Delia "why are they mentioned?"
"You know of them?" Ash asked surprised.
"Yeah" Red said nodding "when I was a young guardian, I read everything I could at the Rota library, trying to find out about my own ancestry when I came across a book that mentioned them. The four Elemental guardians went missing around the same time the Unown were causing havoc in what was then Kanto, now Johto. I couldn't read all of it as my Ancient wasn't very good back then."
"You can read Ancient?" Ash asked shocked.
"Can you not?" Red asked surprised.
"No" Ash said, "for some reason that's one of the few languages I just couldn't get the hang of. I know how to recognise it and I know certain words because they're very similar to Brillian and Sinnoese which I picked up fairly easily but no, Ancient just never managed to stick in my head for some reason."
"Oh, well yes" Red said, "I can read Ancient, funnily enough though I can't read Brillian. Weird how that's turned out isn't it? Maybe Aura users have a particular language unique to them that they just can't pick up."
"That would be interesting to study" Ash said nodding "maybe I'll ask Lucario to see if there's been any studies done in Rota about it."
"I'm sorry" Delia said interrupting looking irritated "but what does this have to do with Amanda and you stealing from their dig site."
"I didn't steal anything mum" Ash said remembering the reason she rang "the tile that's missing is still there, it's just I prevented them getting access to the tomb room by throwing the tile through the closing door as I left. They need that tile to complete the puzzle to open it up, something they're no longer able to do. Dad, I found three of the four Elemental Guardians, and all of them, except for Aramis died the same year, I would even go as far as saying they all died at the same time. He died the year afterwards and from what I've read from a book I picked up in the tomb, one that was in every tomb by the way they all contained the Unown by forcing them onto their own tiles and sealed them into a box. I found that box, something that Amanda could have found too, and I did what I did to prevent them from unleashing the Unown on us all. The three tombs I found all had that box but only one was full of Unown, Pikachu and I suspect the others were dummy boxes as you'd expect the real one to be with Aramis the leader and it wasn't, it was with Alvalor."
"This is disturbing" Red said looking concerned at Delia "the Unown ran riot for over a year across the region, causing disappearances and using their psychic powers to destroy places. It's still unknown if they were doing it on the orders of someone or if they were acting of their own accord. They literally wiped three cities from the Earth before they suddenly stopped. I'm willing to bet the Guardians sacrificed their aura to stop them, like Aaron did with Malokei."
"It gets worse" Ash said sighing "I was only able to prevent them from finding that particular tomb, the other two were hidden and undisturbed for centuries so they're safe but they still have access to the final room as I didn't get the chance to solve that particular puzzle. Once they figure it out it won't be long before they realise who they've found and who could be in the other room so they'll just demolish the wall of the one I sealed and disturb the box of Unown."
"Oh, that's not good" Red said looking alarmed at Delia.
"Why didn't you just tell Amanda" Delia asked.
"Mum, you know what her and Spencer are like" Ash said "they're scientists with a new toy at the moment. You've seen how they are with Molly. You visited them not long back and they'd given her over to the butler to look after because when they discover something new that's their priority. So what do you think would happen if they suddenly found a tomb of a long dead, legendary Aura Guardian, one whose tomb houses a Mythical Pokémon?"
"I hate that you're right" she said, "so what do I tell her?"
"Nothing" Ash said, "I'm fine being banned from working with her, I can sleep easy knowing I prevented another load of crap that I'd need to sort out, one that cost the four greatest guardians of their age their lives. And I was genuinely going to let you know today what I'd done but the Unown tried to break my mind barriers and it took all night to reset them."
"You said you found a book?" Red said.
"Yes, in each of their tombs" Ash replied "but Aramis' had two. One in Ancient that I can't read and the same book as in the others called The Spell of The Unown."
"Can I read it" Red asked.
"Of course, you can" Ash said "I was going to try and learn Ancient to read it myself but as you can read it, I think I'll give it a miss. I need to send my copy of the Unown book to Sam anyway as he rang me just before you did asking why Amanda had sent him an angry email. I'm fine with being in trouble, I won't apologise for it either, but I genuinely don't have the tile on me. I'm going to send the book via Carrier Pidgeot as soon as possible because I have a really bad feeling about this dad and we need as much information as possible before something happens. Usually when I discover something it's because it's been placed in my path to sort out, not because it was coincidence. Can you translate it and send me the bits that you think are important?"
"Certainly" Red said nodding "when are you sending it?"
"I was going to wait until I arrived in Goldenrod City as that's the closest place there's a post office, but this is important" Ash said as he called out Machamp and Salamence "Guys, I need you two to go to Goldenrod City and post these three books to mum and dads house. I'll give you a note to give to the clerk but it's vital it's sent before the weekend." Writing the address Ash placed it and his Pokégear to pay into his mini bag along with the three books, recalled Machamp into his Pokéball and attached it to a necklace around Salamence "I'll wait for you in Azalea Town, we should be there later on today."
"You have your thing on your Pokédex don't you?" Salamence asked "why don't we just go to Nurse Joy and ask her to transport us back to you?"
"Oh, that's a good idea" Ash said nodding and writing another note and putting Salamences ball in the bag too. Watching them fly away he sighed before remembering he was still on the phone "they should be with you both by the weekend. I'd advise you both read them, so we all know the score. Can you send Sam the other copy please?"
"Will do" Red said before he disappeared leaving just his mum.
"I'll have to tell her something" she said, "I'll think of something Ash."
"No worries mum" Ash said, "Love you lots."
Hanging up Ash sighed as he processed the two conversations he had just had "Don't say anything Pi."
"I wasn't" Pikachu said, "I'm not being the one to jinx us."
Packing up Ash set off down the path towards Azalea Town and came to another junction, one leading North and the other West. Strangely though there was no signage, so he set off Northwards hoping he'd picked the right route. Half an hour later he came across the strangest sight, a young boy was running around an open expanse of ground that was surrounded on two sides by the mountains Ash had just come through with a net. That wasn't the strangest thing though, no, that was what he was trying to catch. It was a Cyndaquil that was using Quick Attack to escape the net at the last minute. Ash observed this for a good few minutes before walking over slowly. The young boy, looking frustrated was shouting at the Cyndaquil to stay still and that he'd show him who's boss once he caught him.
"Hey" Ash shouted overhearing that last part making the boy pause and look over "leave that poor Cyndaquil alone."
"Go away!" the boy shouted standing in front of the Pokémon in question "this is my Pokémon! I found it first!"
"I don't care if you did" Ash replied, "that is not how you capture a Pokémon."
"It's none of your business how I catch it" he said turning around only to find Cyndaquil has ran off during the argument "now look what you've caused!" angrily shaking his head he plucked a Pokéball from his belt and called out a Sandslash who looked exhausted "go and find that Cyndaquil and be quick about it."
Sandslash, resigned to the command dug away and the boy turned to Ash "you keep away from that Cyndaquil, it's mine" before he ran off in the direction he thought Cyndaquil had disappeared to.
"We need to find that Cyndaquil Pi" Ash said looking furious "That Sandslash looked broken and when I get hold of him, he'll wish he'd never left his home city. Come on."
Walking towards the mountain side he quickly clambered up towards the next flat path and walked along it reaching a flat bit of ground quite soon, looking around he noticed there were several small holes in the mountainside that looked like tiny caves. "Pi, can you go into that hole and let me know where it leads, if you find the Cyndaquil can you convince her to come and talk to me." Letting out Chikorita he explained the situation to her and they both went through the hole. Ash sat down beside the hole and took out the Unown book and began reading some more.
An hour later Pikachu and Chikorita came out of the hole followed by a very reluctant Cyndaquil. Putting his book away he stayed sat, leaning against the mountainside and looked down at Chikorita and Pikachu.
"Well done guys" he said looking in his bag and grabbing a few cherries and giving them to them. Chikorita jumped on Ash's lap and ate them while Pikachu just shook his head at her. She'd been doing this a lot lately and it would need correcting very soon. Putting a few on the ground Cyndaquil nervously approached and sniffed at them before picking one up.
"Hello Cyndaquil" Ash said looking around him "I thought I'd talk to you before that trainer tries to capture you. He's sent his Sandslash hunting for you, so I thought I'd warn you."
"He's been after me for a few moons now" Cyndaquil replied "I'm not too worried, I'm more worried about the state of his Sandslash to be honest. If that's how he treats his Pokémon then I don't want to be one, sadly it may be Arceus' will."
"You could come with us" Pikachu said looking at Ash for confirmation who nodded after a few moments of thinking.
"I'm ok with that" Ash said shrugging his shoulders.
"And become a trained Pokémon?" Cyndaquil asked perking up "and I won't be punished if I lose?"
"Certainly not" Ash said before quickly throwing an Aura Sphere over Cyndaquils shoulder impacting Sandslash who just popped out of the ground and was sent sliding backwards twenty feet knocked out. Quickly standing up, ignoring the surprised Cyndaquil he walked over with a neutral Pokéblock, one that was Blastoises and crumbled it up in his hands before opening Sandslash's mouth and feeding him.
"What's your decision?" Ash asked Cyndaquil as he finished.
"I'll take it" she said sounding shocked "that was the closest he's ever come to harming me."
Nodding Ash went into his bag and brought out a Pokéball and touched it o Cyndaquil who was sucked inside. A few moments later it dinged, and Ash released her, placing the ball on his belt as she wandered over to Chikorita and began eating another cherry.
For Sandslash though it was a different matter. Gradually he woke up and groaned, amazingly feeling better than he had in weeks. How was his belly full?
"What happened?" he asked the sky not expecting an answer.
"You tried to attack us" a voice said making it quickly curl into a ball and pop up ready for action. When it saw a trainer eying him up and a Pikachu who was sparking warningly he relaxed slightly before warily he looked around and saw the Cyndaquil eating with a Chikorita looking unconcerned.
"I was sent to get her" Sandslash said taking a step forwards, one that was matched by Pikachu.
"Please" Sandslash said sounding desperate "if I don't return with her, I won't get fed again."
"What did you just say?" Pikachu asked outraged "your trainer is withholding food from you?"
"Yes" Sandslash said looking around desperately "so please move out of the way."
"It's too late" Ash said, "I've already caught her."
"Oh" Sandslash said quietly sitting down on his haunches, looking down at the floor.
"I think" Ash said returning Chikorita and Cyndaquil as he picked up his bag "that I will need words with your trainer. Let's go find him, shall we?"
Half an hour later Sandslash pointed just ahead as his trainers camp was there. Outside a small red tent, next to a small campfire was the young boy from before. Looking up at the approaching Ash he saw his Pokémon walking alongside the huge man and jumped up.
"Why are you with him?" he asked his Pokémon pointing at Ash "and why haven't you brought me that Cyndaquil?"
"Enough!" Ash thundered making the boy "eep" and fall backwards onto his behind "I have just been having a very interesting conversation with your Pokémon and I couldn't believe what I was hearing! You've been using starvation as a threat and punishment? You should be ashamed of yourself! Give me your Pokédex, NOW!"
Hurriedly the young boy scampered into his tent and returned to Ash with a green Pokédex. Delving into his bag Ash pulled out his laptop, booted it up and logged the trainers Pokédex number on his professors account, noticing Professor Maple was his regional professor as he did so. After a few minutes he shut his computer off and put it away, handing back the Pokédex to the slightly bewildered trainer.
"For the next five years, every time you visit a Pokemon Centre, no matter which town, city or region you visit them in a Nurse Joy will be sending both myself and Professor Maple a report on the condition of your Pokémon. I have logged the complaints of your Pokémon so we will immediately know what the issue is, and should you use starvation as a punishment again you will have your trainer status taken away from you and you will NEVER be able to legally have Pokémon again. Is that understood? I asked you a question Luke!"
"Yes Sir" he said nodding frantically.
"Good" Ash said shouldering his backpack again "your Pokémon and its health should be your number one priority as a trainer and doing what you did was appalling. Hopefully the next time I see you you'll have changed your ways." Looking down at the Sandslash he continued "it was nice meeting you, hopefully now the conditions you live in and your trainer improves."
Shaking his head Ash set off and soon reached the path he was on before. Pulling out his Pokégear he looked at the map and saw the Northern path he entered reached around and met back up with the Western one in a crescent shape so he would reach Azalea own no matter which one he had gone down, he was very grateful he had chosen this one though as he had improved the lives of two Pokémon with his deviation from the right path.
After meeting back up on the main path it wasn't long until they came to a building with a path leading from the back to a cave. "Slowpoke Well Café" read the sign above the door. Walking in Ash took a seat in a quiet booth and was served by a very nervous looking waitress. As he took a sip of his drink Ash looked around and saw four tables were full of what looked like workmen and women, all of them wearing a white overcoat and strangely a black and red lanyard. As he placed the drink down, he noticed that his coaster had moved, one the waitress had placed down and there was a piece of paper underneath. Curious he pulled it out and opened it up before he looked around in alarm. "Please help". Showing Pikachu he looked around, catching the waitress's eye where he noticed she was nodding slightly at the workers and then to the door at the back. Ash looked around again and noticed one of the men looking at him before quickly becoming alarmed when he realised who it was. Whispering to his mates they all looked over before quickly leaving.
"Is it me or could they not get away quick enough?" Pikachu asked.
"It wasn't just you" Ash said standing up and walking over to the waitress "who were they?"
"I don't know" she said looking relieved that they'd left "they arrived a few weeks ago, around 20 of them and took over the well. They've been coming in here every day, demanding I serve them before leaving the place a mess."
"Did you hear anything important?" Ash asked looking around at the mess they left, grabbing a bin bag and helping her tidy up.
"Only bits" she replied as she joined him "I'm Tammy by the way, thank you for your help."
"I wonder why they left so abruptly" Ash said as he tied the bag up and placed it by the counter.
"Probably because you're huge" she replied blushing when she realised she'd spoken aloud. Ash just laughed and ignored her comment. "The local Pokéball maker Kurt came by a few days ago talking about a rocket before he went into the well, I don't know if he's come out yet though."
"Rocket" Ash asked looking up sharply at her earning a nod "now it makes sense as to why they left Pi."
"Team Rocket, do you think?" Pikachu asked.
"Yeah, it could only be them" Ash replied looking back at Tammy "I need you to ring the police and tell them Champion Ash Ketchum requests back up at the Well. Tell them I suspect Team Rocket has taken over the Well and that I've gone in to see. Come on Pi."
Walking with a purpose Ash opened the back door and headed outside and followed the path. It was only about twenty yards, but Ash could see a few people guarding the entrance.
"I'm sorry sir but you can't enter" one of the guards said looking nervous "there's an operation going on, government business. I'm sure you understand."
"Oh, I understand" Ash said smiling as he took a closer look at the man's lanyard and noticed the red part were tiny letter 'R's' "fancy lanyard" he commented looking at the man "what does the R stand for?"
"I'm not sure" the man said looking at his partner whose hand was slowly inching towards his pocket. Before either of the could react Pikachu had leapt off Ash's shoulders and used Iron Tail on the mans head instantly knocking him out. Ash meanwhile bodily lifted the man in front of him and pinned him to the wall "let me make this perfectly clear, I know who you are, I know the company you work for, and I also know that I don't like that company nor the man who runs you. So, here's what's going to happen. I am going inside where I will deal with the rest of you. If you are still here or I meet you again and you're still working for Team Rocket I will not be as lenient, do I make myself clear?"
Frantically nodding the man was let go where he slumped against the wall as Ash grabbed his lanyard and tore it off before he marched past him calling out Sneasel and Heracross as he did so. "Anyone you meet in here wearing one of these Lanyards is an enemy. This is not a drill, do not hold back. This is Team Rocket we're dealing with who won't show any mercy, so we don't show them any either."
Walking further in Ash saw a ladder leading down a hole that seemed to go on for a while. Recalling his Pokémon he carefully climbed down and found himself on a flat surface that opened up into a huge cavern, that was dripping with water and was quite noisy. Ash let out his Pokémon again and hushed them as they walked down a path that led downwards. It reminded Ash a lot of the Ice Caverns at Seafoam, but he walked with purpose down the path and before long he walked out of a tunnel entrance into another cavern that had three people looking very nervous.
"Well, well, well" Ash said smiling as he walked forwards flanked with his Pokémon. "Who do we have here?"
When they saw Ash they all panicked and released their Pokémon. All of them had a Golbat and a Koffing, something Ash wasn't afraid of and before long the strength of his Pokémon won out and three men were lying knocked out along with their Pokémon. Taking out some zip ties he bought in Violet City he tied their hands and left them lying against the cavern wall. Taking their Pokéballs he recalled the injured Pokémon and placed them into his pocket before carrying on down the path. As he walked through a few more caverns he came to a waterfall with steps leading downwards to an underground lake. On an island in the lake Ash could see some activity and wondered just what was going on however as he was too far away, he couldn't really see that well. Calling out Gyarados he quickly told her what he wanted, and she dove under the water and headed to the island. Ash climbed onto Lapras and did the same, waiting for the signal which soon came as shouts of fear and outrage could be heard when a thirty-foot shiny Gyarados crashed their party showering them with water from a Hydro Pump and exploding several crates and cages. Landing on the island Ash jumped off and quickly made short work of the grunts who didn't even have time to release their Pokémon.
Looking through the crates Ash nearly gagged when he saw each crate was packed with cut off Slowpoketails and looking around he noticed the cages were full of mutilated Slowpoke. Kicking a downed grunt in the chest Ash angrily upturned all the remaining boxes releasing all the Slowpoke and carrying them to the water where their wounds turned the water crimson. Thankfully Slowpoke grow their tails back, so Ash didn't worry too much but he was still disgusted by the operation that was going on.
"We need to find the admin in charge Pi" Ash said, "we need to put a stop to this as soon as we can. Every time I encounter Team Rocket, I find they disgust me more and more."
"Will they be ok?" Pikachu asked looking at the Slowpoke just floating on top of the water.
"Yeah, their tails grow back after a few months so this time next year they'll be whole again" Ash replied, "they're quite remarkable for such dim-witted Pokémon."
"Still, this isn't right" Pikachu commented.
"No, it isn't" Ash agreed. "And they'll suffer for what they did. Come on"
Climbing back onto a very disgruntled Gyarados they sailed across the lake and through a tunnel that was at the back of the cavern that seemed to flow slightly downwards.
"Don't worry, I'll give you a good bath later on" Ash said to Gyarados who chuffed in response making Ash chuckle. After a few minutes of darkness travelling down the waterway he heard voices getting louder and louder. Halting Gyarados a few meters before the exit he contemplated what to do as he could feel several people waiting around the exit to ambush him. Jumping off Gyarados he stood up and realise that the water came up to his chin, he could use this.
"Ok Gyarados, Ash said quietly "there are several people with Pokémon waiting for us as soon as we come out of here. I want you to skirt the bottom of the stream, stay underwater and I want you to rush as fast as you can into the other cavern where I want you to rise up and cause havoc. I'll be backup on Lapras, we'll join you moments later, but you have free reign on them all. Go."
Calling out Lapras he clambered onboard just as he saw Gyarados reach the end of the cavern mouth and instructed Lapras to follow at full speed. Ash was very grateful that he'd waited for as long as he did as when they popped out of the entrance he witnessed several people be cut in half by Gyarados's Hyper Beam making Ash question whether he could justify it. He quickly got over it though when he saw a trainer order their Electabuzz to use Thunder on her causing her to grunt in pain. He quickly jumped onto the banking followed by Pikachu and engaged the grunts as his Lapras aided her fellow partner. It wasn't long before his other Pokémon entered the fray as he lost Gyarados to her being swarmed by several electric Pokémon at once and Sneasel was taken out a short time later. Still Ash thought as Machamp launched a rock at a Golbat and embedding it into a wall they had done really well in thinning out the herd.
"Enough" a voice shouted from a platform on the other side of the cavern halting everyone. Ash looked around and saw there were only a few grunts still standing from the mayhem. Several were leaning against the walls nursing injuries while some were without body parts after Gyarados' first attack. Standing up he looked over to where the voice came from and immediately narrowed his eyes in recognition.
"Nice to finally put a face to a name cousin" Ash said walking forwards unconcerned he stopped forty yards away from the man. He was around 6 feet tall, medium length red hair and grey eyes, wearing sharp blue suit pants, with a blue waistcoat over a white shirt and brown brogues. On his waist was a belt housing five Pokéballs one in his hand as he released a Pokémon from its confines. The Pokémon was around five and a half feet tall, two arms and legs, beige and purple with a long moustache and holding two spoons in its hands.
"Alakazam" it said as it observed Ash silently.
"Likewise," Silver said looking around impassively at his team that had been obliterated by Ash's Pokémon "It seems my reputation precedes me. As does yours." He finished nodding at his beaten workers.
"Very much so" Ash said recalling Machamp and staring at Silver with such intensity his eyes and hands started to glow blue.
"Now, now" Silver said raising an eyebrow "We won't be having a fight. Not this time at least. I'm simply here to talk to you and you alone before those meddling officers arrive."
Narrowing his eyes he wondered what Silver was up to before finally calming down and his body stopped glowing "speak."
"First, lets dispense with the audience, shall we?" Silver said nodding to his Alakazam who lifted both spoons and glowed purple making Ash immediately tense up and glow again in anticipation. It was a pointless endeavour though as the psychic wave passed around him, bending out of the way as it passed over him and encompassed every one of the Rocket grunts that were alive where they glowed purple and disappeared along with Alakazam.
"Very tense, aren't you?" Silver asked smirking "if I wanted to hurt you, I would have already done so."
"Tried to" Ash clarified "you would have tried, and I would have ripped your spine out of your body and beat you with it. You said you wanted to talk, so talk."
"Very well" Silver said, "I can see we're not going to get anywhere without some form of suspicion, but I am trying to not be antagonistic, you might show me the same courtesy."
"You kidnapped my father and performed experiments on him for a decade!" Ash said furiously.
"No, I did not" Silver said "I never authorised that, I just never said no."
"Which is as good as authorisation." Ash said stepping forward making Silver hold his hand out to stop him.
"As I said I never gave actual authorisation" Silver reiterated "this will get us nowhere, as I stated I simply wanted to talk and as this is getting tense already, I will offer you a deal."
"What kind of deal?" Ash asked suspiciously.
"A simple question game" Silver replied "I will ask you a question and I expect an answer, then you do the same and it continues until we have exhausted our lines of enquiry. Deal?"
"Go on" Ash said after thirty seconds of trying to find the trap.
"Very well" Silver said "firstly, where is my mother? Do you have her?"
"No" Ash said shaking his head "I never knew where she was living, in fact I have never met her. I was told you look alike but as this is the first time I'm seeing you in person I wouldn't know her if I walked past her. My turn, why are you here?"
"A waste of a question" Silver said snorting "I am here to speak to you."
"I meant here, in Slowpoke well" Ash said interrupting him "I cannot imagine you overseeing something as dull as cutting off Slowpoke tails."
"As is said I am here to talk to you" Silver said shaking his head "my admin in charge, someone who is now in three pieces I might add, messaged me when he saw you in the café. Knowing you as I do, I decided to speak to you in person but sadly I was unable to save my man. It's very annoying to find helpful staff these days. My turn. Who have you told about my son?"
"Vincenzo?" Ash asked looking curious getting a curt nod in reply "Samuel Oak knows, as does your father."
"Which means so does my mother" he said looking around the cavern as if looking for inspiration.
"I wouldn't know" Ash said.
"I'm sure" Silver replied looking at him.
"My turn" Ash said, "why did you kidnap my father?"
"Insurance" Silver said simply rubbing his scarred hand "I knew the League would eventually find out what happened that day in Viridian Gym, I didn't think it would take them over a decade to do so though, but I knew I'd need a bargaining chip should they pull anything. Your father was that bargaining chip. Nothing more, nothing less."
"I'm sure" Ash said retorting his own response back making him narrow his eyes.
"Whether you believe me or not is not my concern" Silver said before Ash interrupted him.
"What is your concern?"
Looking at Ash searchingly he finally decided on how to say it "I am here primarily to see you, in the flesh. The man who has been more of a thorn in my side for the last three years than anyone else, your father included. However, I find that I am at a disadvantage as you have some information that requires me attending to deal with you in person."
Laughing Ash just shook his head "what information?"
"Vincenzo" Silver said "I am aware that you have the capability and certainly the intelligence to track him down. I wish to make a deal with you."
"I'm listening" Ash said.
"Vincenzo is off the table" Silver said matter-of-factly "he is not to be harmed in any way, shape or form. In return I will leave your family alone. I have no issues with them, and should you leave my son alone I never will."
"I cannot speak for my family" Ash said "they have their own minds. But for me you have a deal, I will say though that your father is unlikely to listen to me, especially given who Vincenzo is to him."
"I am aware" Silver said nodding in agreement.
"You and I are a different matter though" Ash said seriously "I had to put up with having a broken family for over ten years with a mother who cried herself to sleep on a nightly basis because of you and your organisation and just because my father has been returned to us means nothing. Everywhere I have gone your group have attacked me on sight so, every time I see you from now on, along with your group it is also on sight. I will not rest until I find your hidey hole Silver and I will not rest until I get the revenge my family deserve. This is my only warning to you. I had no intention of harming your son, he has done nothing wrong and other than stealing a Pokémon and a Pokédex is innocent in our matters so I will do my best to keep him out of our problems."
"Agreed" Silver said nodding before he was enveloped in a flash of purple and disappeared making Ash let out a deep breath, angry that he hadn't been able to take a shot at him. Not even thirty seconds later he heard noises behind him and tensed up before relaxing as two Officer Jennys came out of the cave entrance on top of two Dewgong. As they stepped off, they looked around in shock at the body parts that littered the area before finally looking at Ash who was just standing there waiting for them.
"Before you ask, this wasn't me." Ash said lying smoothly "I met the boss of Team Rocket, and his Pokémon did this to his own team for being discovered. I arrived just as his Alakazam took away the ones that survived his wrath. Before you ask, he didn't say anything to me, he just teleported away as soon as I arrived."
"The boss of Team Rocket did this?" one Jenny asked aghast as her partner radioed into the others outside asking for help "how do you know he did this as an example?"
"I don't really" Ash said "but I know the sound of a Hyper Beam when it's used, and I know all too well the sounds of agony and death having witnessed it first-hand. And I also know who the boss is as I've seen him before."
"Who is he?" Jenny asked eagerly "if you know then why haven't we been told?"
"I'm sorry officer but that's above your paygrade" Ash said causing her to frown "if I'm honest I was only told at the time because I was there when it was discovered who he was."
"I'm not happy about this" Jenny sounding irritated.
"Take it up with your chief" Ash said shrugging unconcerned "It's not my call."
"How do we know you didn't do this and murder all these people?" Jenny asked.
"You don't" Ash said simply "but right now you're only asking that because I'm not allowed to tell you who the boss is. I didn't kill these people, as evidenced by the ones you've already found unconscious who were mutilating the Slowpoke. I could have easily killed them, but I didn't, it's not my style."
"Over here" the other officer shouted drawing their attention. Walking over they found several big wooden boxes along a wall, some of which had been smashed. But behind one of the boxes they could see a pair of legs sticking out next to the wall. Rushing over Ash saw that it was an unconscious man, in his early fifties with jet black hair, wearing a green kimono. The more worrying thin was the lump on his head and a piece of wood sticking out of his leg.
"I can heal that" Ash said kneeling beside him and running his hand over the man's head, "he'll have a nasty headache when he wakes up, but that leg is beyond me to fix."
"Theres's paramedics outside" Jenny said, "they can take over."
Nodding Ash stood up and easily lifted the man bridal style as he walked towards the water.
"We'll need a statement" Jenny said making him turn around.
"I'll send it to the Chief" Ash said nodding as he called out Lapras onto the water and boarded her "back the way we came Lapras, as quickly as you can" he said as she set off. Half an hour later he reached the ladders and cursed before remembering something. Releasing Venusaur he told him the dilemma and without even asking Venusaur picked him up in his vines, waited for Ash to climb up and carefully sent them up towards the top of the hole where he placed him gently on the ledge. When he was done Ash headed back down until he was in range, recalled him and climbed back up, picking the man up as he did so. Ten minutes later he was exiting the cave to find around twenty police officers milling about. One came rushing over and took one look before directing Ash over to the ambulance where several paramedics were waiting.
"I've no idea who he is" Ash said to them "but he had a huge lump on his head which I've managed to help but I'm not sure if he'll need a scan anyway. The leg though I didn't want to touch as it could be embedded in an artery."
"That's Kurt" one of the officers said, "he's the Pokéball maker in Azalea Town."
"Oh yes" Ash said nodding "the waitress Tammy mentioned him disappearing a few days ago after heading inside there."
"Thanks for your help, Ash" one of the paramedics said, "we'll take it from here."
"You'll need a strong stomach for what's about to come up here" Ash said warning them "some of those who are responsible for this are in pieces down there."
Giving them a nod he looked at his watch, saw it was early afternoon so he decided that he may as well carry on down the road to Azalea Town. Walking back into the café he nodded at Tammy and picked up his bag that he'd left behind the counter and left, heading West and two hours later he saw buildings on the horizon. Sighing in relief he walked on and headed straight to the Pokémon Centre to heal his team. Walking up to his room he typed a quick summary for his statement before sending it off to Chief Jenny, Sam who was still his sponsor and Lance as the head of the G Men before deciding to have a nap. Today had been exhausting, and it was barely afternoon.
A few hours later he headed down and gathered his team from Nurse Joy before heading back up into his room. It was around 8pm that evening that he received a call from Sam about his statement.
"Hi Sam" Ash said rubbing his eyes. He'd only been awake around half an hour after having another sleep.
"Busy day?" Sam asked rhetorically making Ash chuckle.
"Something like that" Ash said, "what can I do for you?"
"I've been part of your life long enough now to know when you leave things out of messages, emails etc" Sam said, "what happened?"
The next hour and a half were spent going over the entire morning, from the conversation with his mum and dad, catching Cyndaquil, Tammy in the café, finding out it was Team Rocket, finding the mutilated Slowpoke and then his interaction with Silver, including the deal he made.
"You know that deal leaves many loopholes, from both parties, right?" Sam asked looking troubled by what Ash had been through.
"I do yeah" Ash said nodding "just because I can't do anything doesn't mean no one else can and vice versa. Trust me, I'm aware of the pitfalls in the deal we made and to be honest I don't think he will keep to it, if anything he'll move Vincenzo to Hoenn or Sinnoh to keep him away from the clutches of those in Kanto and Johto. He may be arrogant enough to believe nothing will happen either, I wouldn't know as that was the first time I met him in person."
"I have no idea either" Sam said agreeing with Ash "I think I'll have to speak to Giovanni and Alexis in person. Whether she answers though is another question."
"I don't think she will" Ash said, "she's been 'missing' for well over a year now and still hasn't given up Silvers location or any of his hidey holes so I have no reason to believe she'll start now, especially as she now knows she has a grandson to hide too should the shit hit the fan."
"I had thought of that" Sam said nodding "even before we found out about Vincenzo, I had that thought about Alexis. Giovanni refuses to push her for answers and bringing her in for questioning would be pointless as we have no leverage, and I would never threaten her Grandson to get answers. Silver also knows that too, so I don't think he'll ever leave the place he's hiding."
"Same here" Ash said, "I have no problems with trying to get something out of her, but I wouldn't use an innocent boy as leverage."
"Good" Sam said nodding "it's a shame you couldn't meet Kurt. I think you'd have learned a lot from him about Pokéballs and the way they work. He creates his own from Apricorns that you'll find in the trees native to Johto."
"I'll have to keep a look out for them" Ash said "I think I already have many of his creations on me anyway. I have several Lure and Quick balls on me."
"Yeah" he said nodding "that's them. It takes him a while to manufacture them as he does them all by hand, but he's really good. And he's incredibly knowledgeable on the history of Johto too."
"It's a shame" Ash said nodding "he sounds like someone I could easily get along with."
"So, you're sending me the book on the Unown?" Sam asked after a few moments silence.
"Yeah" Ash said nodding "Machamp and Salamence are already back with me so the Pidgeot should be with you in the morning. I've sent dad the journal I found because he can read Ancient, and I just have this feeling you know?"
"I do" Sam said, "I had that feeling a long time ago and it's never left me since, and I've usually been right about it."
"Can you tell me about it?" Ash asked curiously.
"Maybe some other time Ash" Sam said smiling "it's quite a story. Anyway, thank you for telling me, I'll keep an eye out for the book Ash."
Nodding Ash hung up and decided to do some research on the Gym leader for the battle tomorrow. So much had happened in such a short amount of time that he forgot that he was on a gym quest, and it took Pikachu reminding him for him to have a lightbulb moment. The Ruins of Alph issues, Charicific Valley and Slowpoke Well had well and truly taken over his thoughts lately.
The next day Ash headed towards the gym but was stopped from entering by a crowd being gathered in front of the doors. Undeterred Ash forced his way through, ignoring the cries of outrage from the crowd and stopped as in the doorway two people were stood chatting. One was about five foot seven, with purple hair wearing a purple top and shorts, the other was around five foot nine with green hair, one part stuck straight up into the air wearing a black shirt and grey sweatpants.
"Hey" someone shouted from behind Ash "we were here first, get to the back of the queue."
"Yeah" another shouted "if you want their autograph then get to the back of the line."
"Why would I want their autograph?" Ash asked perplexed.
"Do you not know who they are?" the first man asked outraged that Ash didn't appear to know.
"No" Ash said shaking his head "I mean I assume one of them is the gym leader given where we are but as to the other guy I have no clue."
Ash was treated to stony silence from the crowd, something which attracted the two men stood in the doorway who looked over, one of them gasping in recognition. Ash though ignored the crowd, focusing on the two men who started to walk forwards.
"I take it one of you is famous?" Ash asked looking at the two.
"Well, we both are to be honest" the man with the green hair answered looking unsure of himself.
"You do look kind of familiar" Ash said, "have we battled before?"
"No" the green man said "at least not yet but I have no doubt we will do at some point. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Aaron Komaku, first in line at the Sinnoh Elite Four. This is my little brother Bugsy Komaku, Gym Leader of Azalea Town."
"Oh ok" Ash said nodding "yeah I wouldn't have guessed that to be honest as I've only met Cynthia and that abomination Will."
"What do you have against Will?" Aaron asked frowning "he's a good man, he's taught me loads."
"You say you're part of Sinnoh correct?" Ash asked gaining a nod "then visit the Lucario Kingdom and ask them, or better yet buy my book. So, you're Bugsy then?"
"I am" Bugsy said nodding "You're Ash Ketchum."
"I was the last time I checked" Ash said good naturedly "anyway it's you I'm here to see. I'm doing the Johto Gym challenge and you're next in line for me."
"Oh ok" Bugsy said "can you come back in an hour? I haven't seen my brother in a while and he's not here for very long."
"I can stay until tomorrow" Aaron said "I would love to see you battle, especially against someone of Ash's calibre. I'll even be referee."
"I have no issue with it" Ash said shrugging his shoulders, "it's up to you Bugsy."
"Ok" Bugsy said nodding turning to the audience "this way." Bugsy left back through the door with Aaron and Ash in tow followed by what seemed like everyone in Azalea Town. When they reached the field, the crowd ambled into the bleachers while Ash walked over to the right-hand side of the field, Bugsy taking the left.
"Ok" Aaron said taking the referees position "what rules are we having?"
"When I fought Falkner, it was a three on three singles match against three of his Elites with no substitutions" Ash said.
"That's good enough for me" Aaron said nodding to both "ready your first Pokémon, Begin!"
"Let's go Heracross!" Bugsy shouted releasing his big fighting bug.
"Interesting" Ash murmured before looking at Aaron "I'm going to release a Pokémon but he's not going to battle, I simply want him to observe the match."
"Ok" Aaron said looking confused, that was until Ash released his own Heracross.
"I've not had him long so any information on how Heracross battle can only be helpful" Ash said, "Let's go Salamence" Ash said releasing his blue dragon who landed with a thud and growled at her opponent. Heracross though looked unfazed.
"Heracross vs Salamence, begin!" Aaron shouted.
"Megahorn" Bugsy shouted as his bug types horn glowed green and he charged towards the stationary dragon.
"Wait for it" Ash murmured to himself as he got closer and closer "wait for it, Queenie, wait for it. Now, Dragon Rush."
Salamence had never heard Ash give her a nickname after she had saved his life in the Orange Islands, and he called her Sally, a name she immediately rejected. Ever since then it was Princess but he also called Gyarados that too so she didn't really react to it anymore, but he had finally given her a name she could tolerate and it made her narrow her eyes, focusing on her opponent, waiting for the call to attack. So, when it finally did, she exploded forwards, smashing into the Heracross who had no chance in avoiding the bulky dragon and was sent flying into the wall surrounding the field and the crowd that were cheering on their local hero fell silent witnessing the power of a Champions Pokémon first hand.
After a minute or so Heracross managed to pick himself out of the wall and fell flat on his face, but steadily rose to his feet and set himself, ready to go again.
"What power" Aaron said forgetting he was micced up.
"Good show Queenie, now Aerial Ace" Ash said. Salamence shone briefly before speeding forwards at quite a pace heading towards Heracross who had only just set himself.
"Protect" Bugsy shouted as Salamence smashed into the barrier creating a crack, but it held out and Salamence had to swerve off to prevent any backlash.
"Rock Slide" Bugsy shouted as Heracross cancelled the protect barrier and smashed his horn into the ground repeatedly, breaking up the ground and grabbing hold of them before launching them at Salamence who spiralled out of the way but was clipped by a few making her veer off course, luckily away from the rocks.
"Are you ready for this Champion?" Bugsy asked Ash smirking at him making him look at him wondering what he was on about. It soon dawned on him though when Bugsy pulled out a ring from his pocket and touched it to a pendant he was wearing and Heracross started to glow and its limbs started to change along with its body. When the light stopped Ash looked with curiosity at the Pokémon opposite him. It had changed quite dramatically from what it was. Its limbs had bulked up significantly giving it a much brawnier look, its hands hand changed into three claws around what looked like holes, its body had become a lot bulkier and its shell looked impenetrable but it was its face and head that had changed the most. Where once was a horn in the centre was a spike that looked lethally sharp rising out of the top of its head, and its nose had become a spike also giving it a very brutal look.
"Interesting" Ash said looking at it "should be a bit more of a challenge at least Queenie" Bugsy however didn't find it amusing at the blatant disrespect and gave a command to his Mega-Heracross "Stone Edge". Strangely to Ash it put its clawed hand to the ground and seemed to suck gravel and rocks into the hole for a good twenty seconds before stopping, aiming its hands upwards and it started machine-gunning rocks at Salamence who squawked in surprise and tried to get out of the way but Heracross swayed its hands around in a circular motion and unerringly moved the rocks into the way of Salamence who took the attack full force and started plummeting down to the ground at an alarming speed.
"Dragon Rush" Ash shouted hoping his Pokémon would hear. Thankfully her training paid off and thirty feet from the ground she flared her wings and straightened out before glowing blue and ploughing through the still going Stone Edge. When she reached ten feet away Bugsy shouted Protect causing a blue sphere to encircle Heracross and Salamence smashed into it. Gritting her teeth she put more and more power into the attack, and Heracross seeing this had to try and match her and focused more. Soon the strain from both Pokémon became too much and the attack point exploded sending both Pokémon flying across the field in opposite directions. Tumbling to a stop Salamence breathed heavily before rolling over and flexing her wings, wincing as she did so as she could feel one wasn't right.
"I think I've broken a wing" she said to Ash who winced at the sight as one wing was perfectly straight but the left one looked bent in the middle and was folded into itself in what looked like a clean break. Ash rushed over to Salamence and tentatively grabbed the broken limb making her growl at him baring her teeth. Unconcerned by the jaw full of razor sharp teeth next to his head he tried to straighten it out to hopefully help but such was the weight that he had to gently place it back making her wince again.
"Sorry Queenie" Ash said stroking her face "I don't think I have the skill to heal this one, it'll no doubt need Nurse Joy to work her magic and a few weeks of no flying to heal it.
"Dammit" Salamence said shuddering as her wing flexed causing her more pain "I was enjoying that too."
"I promise I'll use you in the next gym battle, ok?" Ash said gaining a nod.
"Heracross is unable to battle" a voice said making them both look over at the referee who was watching his brother's side of the field. There Heracross had collapsed after trying to get onto its feet and failing before it de-transitioned back and fainted.
"I also forfeit Salamence" Ash said getting Aarons attention who took in the sight of the broken wing and winced.
"Can both sides release their next Pokémon" Aaron said after they both had been recalled.
"Let's go Scizor" Bugsy shouted releasing his bug type. Ash frowned as he didn't have a trained fire type on him to combat it before remembering he had one that could use a fire move.
"Machamp, you're up" Ash said releasing his four-armed superpower Pokémon who flexed his muscles and stared silently at his opponent.
"Scizor vs Machamp, begin" Aaron said as he dropped the flags.
"Fly up Scizor" Bugsy shouted smirking "let's see him hit you from up there."
"I don't need to" Ash said "Bulk up" he commanded causing confusion.
"Gust" Bugsy said ignoring the glowing Machamp. Scizor rocketed forwards but stayed out of reach and circled around Machamp at high-speed causing the wind to pick up.
"Protect, then Bulk Up" Ash said smirking as the wind whipped around Machamp but was prevented from reaching him by the blue dome. Inside the dome Machamp glowed white again as the Bulk Up activated. Ash was quite content to play a different game with Machamp. He was very limited in his move-set, especially with ranged attacks and normally he wouldn't be sent out against a flying type, but he was Ash's only Pokémon remaining that had a fire move as Cyndaquil was very new to his party and would stand no chance in an Elite Gym battle.
"Why won't you attack?" Bugsy asked frustrated with the lack of action but only gained a smirk in reply "well, if you won't then I will "Aerial Ace" he shouted.
"Checkmate" Ash said under his breath "get ready Machamp" Machamp set his feet knowing exactly what Ash was preparing him for as it's how they trained against Salamence and Charizard. As soon as he saw Scizor within ten feet he threw himself forwards using Bullet Punch causing a screech from Scizor who was sent skidding back, a visible dent having formed on its chitin on the left-hand side of its body. Wincing it tried to right itself, leaning heavily on his right-hand side to offset the dent but was sent hurtling back again as a Brick Break hit him on his face causing him to tumble backwards landing on his back. Again, he tried to get up but suddenly the world grew hot, and he screeched in agony as Machamps Flamethrower bathed him in flames.
"That's enough" Ash said, and the move died down leaving a glowing Scizor who's metal body was a brilliant white with heat and an unfazed Machamp who walked back to his side of the field and sat down with his eyes closed, waiting for the next battle.
"Scizor is unable to battle, Machamp wins. Leader Bugsy, send out your final Pokémon" Aaron commanded.
"What just happened?" Bugsy asked as he recalled his Scizor in shock.
"You happened" Ash said making everyone look at him "you held the advantage from the beginning, but your impatience became your downfall. You should have won that through attrition as my Machamp only has a few ranged moves so you could have stayed in the air, increased your own stats through Swords Dance and then peppered him with attacks. Instead, you let me power him up and then decided to fight him in close combat, something you should never do with a trained fighting type. It's a basic error that you as a gym leader shouldn't be making to be honest."
"He's right" Aaron said interrupting his brother who was about to reply "at this level you're not going to get an easy pass, it's why the Elite battles differ so much. One error and that's usually all she wrote."
"I know" Bugsy said sighing before releasing his last Pokémon. It was a small rock like Pokémon with a shell with four holes, one at each corner and one on the top, four small legs and an elongated neck.
"Oh wow" Ash said "I've never actually seen one of those, but they really intrigue me. Taking out his Pokédex he scanned it.
"Shuckle, Pokédex number 213, the Mold Pokémon. The fluid secreted by its toes carves holes in rocks for nesting and can be mixed with berries to make a drink."
"Wow" Ash said nodding "where did you catch her?"
"Actually, I caught her near Cianwood City while I was smashing some rocks there" Bugsy said "she was living under one and attacked me. I found her to be very spirited and caught her. That was about three years ago now and she's number two in my Elites."
"Interesting" Ash said looking at her "I've always wanted to meet one, the juice they create is said to be amazing at restoring the vitality of a sick or injured Pokémon."
"It is" Bugsy said, "dealing with the type I do we're often poisoned or paralysed, so her juice is invaluable."
"I created Pokéblocks for that very reason" Ash said, "my grass types effect moves and Pikachus electric attacks are always causing us status conditions, so much so I developed my own Lum berry Pokéblock."
"I know" Bugsy said "it was in your book you did with Brock Slate. That has also been invaluable for developing status curing potions. Anyway, shall we get cracking?"
"Indeed" Ash said, "you may go first."
"You're gonna regret that" Bugsy said "Substitute, Withdraw and Rollout."
"Interesting" Ash said quietly as he watched as the little rock type created a smaller version of herself and disappeared into it before it glowed blue and started rotating quickly and raced towards a still seated Machamp who opened his eyes and did a backflip, somersaulting over the Shuckle before landing and turning to face his opponent who quickly turned around and raced back to him.
"We need to break that Substitute Machamp" Ash said "do what you can."
For the next five minutes the audience were treated to a weird game of pinball where Machamp was the flipper and Shuckle was the ball. Machamp was using every move he could to try and break the Substitute but as soon as he would get close Shuckle would retreat to a safe distance, break it herself, go inside her shell and come out munching on a berry and repeat the process so her defence would go up and she'd be safe. Ash found himself at a loss on what to do as while Machamp did damage, it was being healed by the seemingly unending berries she used to restore her health, which was perfectly legal so he couldn't complain, not that he would anyway as it was battles like this that made Ash think outside the box. Machamp wasn't taking much damage, despite the repeated hits from Rollout as the move would be redirected rather than create an impact but not even moves like Earthquake could stop the little bug from being successful with her move.
Ash had an idea, but it was very risky, and would leave him down to just one Pokémon if he did it.
"What are we thinking Machamp?" Ash shouted over as Machamp deflected Shuckle again.
"I think I could do this all day" Machamp said shaking his head deflecting her again "and I think therein lies the problem because I think so can Shuckle."
"Yeah, I thought so" Ash said looking around at the field hoping for inspiration.
"Yeah, I'm not winning this one, but neither is she. The only hope we have is that she gets exhausted but given she's considered an Elite that could be tomorrow morning at this rate." Machamp said as he looked around too "disrupting the ground hasn't worked, punching her hasn't worked, I've even tried setting her on fire, but she just ploughs straight through it."
"I have an idea" Ash said, "but it means forfeiting you and I'm reluctant to do so."
"Lapras?" Machamp asked punching her again and making her spin off to the side.
"Yeah" Ash said nodding.
"She would be the best bet to win this fight" Machamp said nodding "do it."
Bugsy and Aaron listened on with interest at the one-sided conversation and when Ash mentioned forfeiting his Pokémon, they were astounded that he would consider doing something like that.
"Machamp return, you too Heracross" Ash said recalling his Pokémon and thanking them before sending out Lapras.
"Machamp is unable to battle" Aaron said "Shuckle vs Lapras, begin."
"Let's go again" Bugsy said happily sensing victory. While neither side had done much damage, he had feared a loss due to Shuckle having to battle two Elite level Pokémon so making Ash forfeit one was a great achievement. Shuckle nodded and began spinning again and she hid behind another substitute.
"Hail" Ash said as Lapras ignored the oncoming Shuckle and sent a ball of ice into the sky where it exploded, hovering as it spread across the rafters and began sending down chips of ice. She grunted as she took the hit on the head, shaking it as she focused on her opponent who had span off to the side and began circling around.
As the ice came down hitting everything Ash nodded as part one was put into place "flood the field Lapras, you can take the hits, I believe in you."
Centering herself she focused, ignoring the sound of the oncoming Shuckle and suddenly from below her a huge amount of water appeared which she sent in every direction. They had practiced a modified Surf for months on end and she was so happy she would finally be able to use it in a battle. Shuckle had not been prepared to be halted by the sheer force of water she had to go through and came to a halt, looking around as she started to slowly sink into the water. Quickly she started rolling again to try and stay on top and just about managed to gather momentum.
Bugsy was less happy as the water came up to his knee level. "Hey" he said looking down "what the hell man?"
"Blizzard" Ash said ignoring him as she inhaled and sent out a huge snowstorm across the arena which reacted with the hail and sent it hurtling at Shuckle who had nowhere to go but underneath the water, something she really wasn't happy about, but she did it nether-the-less.
"Quickly" Ash said, "Ice Beam her part of the water."
"Get out of there!" Bugsy shouted frantically but his words were lost over the Blizzard. Everyone knew it was over when the hail died down and the left-hand side of the field was like one big ice cube.
"Hey!" Bugsy shouted when he looked down and saw his legs up to his knees were encased in ice.
Ash looked down himself and saw he was standing in slush as the water sloshed around him. Aaron had moved down the line to avoid the ice as it hit the water and was standing in Ash's corner laughing at his brother.
Machamp who landed a few seconds later as he was released looked at Ash and then looked down as his legs were in water. "It worked then?" he asked as he looked over at Shuckle who was still trapped in ice.
"Yeah" Ash said "can you thaw her out? Cyndaquil can't handle this much water just yet."
Nodding Machamp blew a Flamethrower over the ice and a few minutes later Shuckle and Bugsy legs thawed out and they were able to move around.
"Oh yeah" Aaron said sloshing over "Shuckle is unable to battle, Lapras wins. Although that seems obvious, doesn't it?"
Laughing Ash recalled his two Pokémon and followed Bugsy off to the side.
"Stand back" Bugsy said much to the confusion of Ash made sure he was next to the wall before pressing a button on a panel on the wall and before their very eyes the ground split in the middle and the water poured into the cavern that was beneath the gym.
"That's handy" Ash said as the water finally stopped pouring and the field closed back up.
"Very much so" Bugsy said as he looked around at the still waterlogged field "It leads directly to the Slowpoke Well. I'm going to have to let this dry out overnight. Anyway, congratulations Ash. You won fair and square, so here, I present to you the Hive Badge."
"Cheers" Ash said as he placed the badge in his case. "That was a really good battle you know. I had no answer to Shuckle with Machamp. That was a sacrifice I had to make, not one I'm happy with but you forced my hand, as I'm sure you do with other challengers."
"I do, more than you realise" Bugsy said "there's a reason she's number two in my Elites. We found that she has an incredible engine to go along with her defensive capabilities so she can do that combination all day. Her inner shell always leaks with the healing restorative so she can constantly refresh, and she can eat the berry juice while she's in the substitute. You pretty much found the only weakness we have with the combination, she's useless in water due to how heavy she is and how weak she is to water. Sadly, we've not been able to overcome that through training, but we'll keep on trying."
"It's an incredible move combination" Ash said "and it's something we're going to have to come up with a counter to as I cannot afford that to happen during an Elite Four or Championship match. Every battle is important, so forfeiting one Pokémon for the battle is a major disadvantage."
"If you find one then you're welcome to come and challenge me again" Bugsy said, "it'll help us both out."
Nodding Ash thanked Bugsy and shook his hand before turning to Aaron "I'll likely see you in a few years, I'd start preparing now if I were you. It won't be long before we meet across the field."
"Oh, believe me, I will do" Aaron said "we're always trying to improve but a word of warning, do not underestimate Cynthia. There is a reason she's one battle away from being a Master."
"Noted" Ash said nodding to them both before leaving. It wouldn't hurt to start studying Cynthia now, would it?